Waste & Recycling

By Lulu McGrew

Garbage — we all produce it. 4.6 pounds a day per person on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Waste is something we cannot avoid; however, we can try to minimize our garbage production. We can reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Recycling and reusing is nothing new. In pre-industrial times, it was quite common to melt down metals from oh, let's say, a statue, and recast that metal into something new. Stone? Turned into streets. The British even turned ash and dust into bricks. During the Two World Wars, recycling was a national necessity. Scrap iron drives took place in every small town in America. But the economic boom times of the post-war period saw a sharp decline in recycling. In 1960, almost 95 percent of all trash ended up going to landfills. Today, that number is down to 55 percent. But that is not as commendable as it sounds. In 1960, the average American was responsible for 2.68 pounds of trash per day. We may have cut the percentage going to the landfill, but the amount of garbage we as a country produces is more than doubled, if you factor in commercial and industrial trash.

So what should we be doing about this growing problem? Again, and this cannot be stressed enough -- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. In addition to the Three R's, there is also a Fourth R — Rot, otherwise known as composting. But wait; there is one more thing you should be aware of. There are some items that are just a bit more difficult to deal with than newspapers, aluminum cans or glass jars, and these items are even more crucial to dispose of properly. The EPA refers to them as Universal Waste. You can replace the word Universal with Hazardous, if that makes you see the importance of these items, such as batteries, paints and other chemicals, automotive fluids, and even light bulbs.

Reduce

The United States is not exactly known for its minimalist approach to consumerism. Things are getting better in the marketplace lately, as more and more companies are making the effort to reduce packaging on everyday household items. But you should also pay attention to what you are purchasing. Is it made from recycled materials, and more importantly, can the materials in which it is packaged be recycled? Some materials are more easily recycled than others, and though it makes sense that a manufacturer should be using these materials, sometimes that is not the case.

Avoid products that are "single servings." Sure, they may be convenient, but these items use more packaging than is necessary. Buy in bulk, and have some reusable containers around to make it possible to package your own "single serving." Going out for coffee? Have a reusable travel mug handy. Grocery shopping is much easier when you take your own reusable durable canvas bag, as some stores will even give you a small discount for bringing in your own bag. Although if you don't have your shopping bag with you, make sure to ask for paper as it is easier to recycle compared to plastic.

Remember, just because the packaging is recyclable, it still takes resources and energy to produce them in the first place, and more still to recycle them. By reducing our needs and thus our trash, it is better for everyone and the environment in the long run.

Reuse

Try to avoid buying anything "disposable." That goes for plates, cups, razors, even cameras and batteries. Durable products are made to be used again and again. If you cannot use it again, donate it or sell it, so that someone else can use it. Instead of using plastic wrap to cover last night's leftovers, use a container than can be used time and time again. But make sure that durable container is made of a material that can be recycled when the time comes. In addition to donating or selling things that you do not want or need any longer, participate in the "reuse" cycle. Instead of buying a new product, check out your local thrift store and see if they have a gently used one. You will save money and give a durable product a new home. Of course, this is not always possible, but you will be surprised what you can find at a thrift store, a flea market, or even online.

Of course, you can always reuse other things as well. Empty jars and plastic tubs are great to keep around the house as storage containers for extra nails or crayons. Turn that old metal bucket into a planter for some geraniums. Be creative. Broken ceramic plates? Turn them into a mosaic for your garden, or donate them to an art class.

Recycle

Here is where you can really shine when it comes to reducing your trash impact. And recycling is getting easier and easier for most Americans. Today, there are 8,550 curbside recycling programs in the United States. That means that someone comes to your house to pick up your recyclable materials. And even those smaller-sized towns that do not offer curbside recycling will usually have a drop-off center for recyclables. So really, there is no excuse not to recycle.

However, every state, county and local government has their own regulations when it comes to what you can recycle and the best way to do it. Some items such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspapers, and steel cans are recycled easily and therefore acceptable by every recycler. Some plastics are also almost always accepted such as those marked with a #1 or a #2 (you can find this number in a triangle usually stamped on the bottom of the container). Again, as a first step, be sure that whatever you buy can be recycled or reused (such as refillable bottles), and that includes the packaging.

For example, cartons such as those paperboard cartons used for milk or juice, or even the special Tetra Pak carton used for products like soymilk and soups, are not always accepted for recycling. Check with your local recycler to see if these paperboard cartons are accepted by your service. If not, then make sure you are buying the same product in either a metal can for soup or a plastic or glass bottle for milk. Or find a different way to recycle those cartons. Sometimes you can drop off the cartons at a centralized spot, or even mail the carton to a recycling facility. And remember that the plastic spout and cap are usually not recyclable, and should be taken out of the carton.

The same advice goes for plastics that are marked with numbers 3, 4, 5, or 6. These are different types of plastic that may or may not be recycled by your local service. Try to avoid #7, as almost no one recycles this kind of plastic. Actually, try to avoid #3, as it is Polyvinyl Chloride, otherwise known as PVC. PVC is an unstable plastic that gradually breaks down and enters the air you breathe. It is very toxic, and more studies are showing its detrimental effects on health.

There has been some headway in recycling technology that not everyone knows. Did you know that magazines are now recyclable? They were not in the past, and considering the low percentage of magazines that are recycled (less than 40 percent compared to almost 90 percent of newspapers), it is likely that most people did not hear that they could recycle magazines. Same with your mail. The little plastic windows are not a problem in recycling mail. And don't worry about staples. They will find their way out of the paper once it is being processed. And the staples will be melted down as well. You can also recycle soft-cover books, but you should probably try to donate or re-sell them rather than recycle.

Textiles such as clothing, rubber, leather and non-treated wood can also be recycled, just not curbside. You may have to find out where your city or county collects these materials. Although, again, you can try to donate clothing and wood to organizations that can use them or sell them.

It cannot be emphasized enough that you should check with your local recycler to not only find out what can and cannot be recycled, but how that recycler accepts materials for recycling. Some cities, such as Chicago, use one container for all recyclables, whereas other cities like New York will use two containers — one for paper and one for everything else. If you are organizing your recyclables incorrectly, that can lead to increased costs for your recycler and it may even result in citations for you (New York City issues tickets for improper recycling). Some services will simply throw your recyclables in with the trash headed to the landfill if you do not organize or clean your recyclables. Or if they see items that are not accepted by that recycling service, they will toss the entire bin into the landfill-bound trash.

Universal Waste

Universal or Hazardous waste may not seem that obviously hazardous, as you may have many of these products in your home right now. Batteries, televisions, and light bulbs — they are not hazardous to you on an everyday basis, but once you try to dispose of them, they turn into hazardous waste. It is very important not only that you understand what entails hazardous waste, but also what steps you should take to ensure that you are disposing of hazardous waste properly.

Batteries, light bulbs, television and other electronic equipment and appliances all contain toxic materials that can harm the environment if not handled correctly. The same goes for more obvious products such as motor oil and other automotive fluids, lawn and garden chemicals, pool chemicals, paint, and cleaning chemicals including all household cleaners. If these items end up in a landfill, the toxic "ingredients" can enter the soil, the water, and even the air.

Batteries, both disposable and rechargeable, including those batteries for camcorders, laptops, and any other electronic device, should always be taken in for recycling or proper disposal. This means that the heavy metals that are in ALL batteries will be reclaimed, including silver, chromium, nickel, lithium, lead acid, and mercury. Some curbside programs will accept batteries if they are placed into a sealed plastic bag, but this is not always recommended as a bag can break or the bag could get lost in the other recyclables. It is better to take your batteries directly to someone that will make sure that they are recycled properly, such as Radio Shack or another local retailer. For many batteries, such as Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), the cost of disposal is built into the price, so don't be shy about taking them back to where they were purchased. If in doubt, check out Earth 911 and use the handy locator tool to see where you can take your used batteries (as well as any other item you need to recycle). Please note that sometimes a retailer will not give you the correct information and tell you to simply toss the battery — DO NOT toss the battery in the trash. Find someone who can give you the right information.

Light bulbs are another one of those products that you may have always simply thrown away with the rest of your garbage, but light bulbs also need to be recycled. That includes all light bulbs, whether incandescent or fluorescent. Incandescent bulbs contain lead and fluorescent bulbs contain mercury. Other types of lights such as mercury vapor lamps, sodium vapor lamps, and even neon and ultraviolet lights all contain toxic heavy metals that can cause considerable harm to the environment. Heavy metals can leach out in landfills, entering the water system, and if the trash is sent to an incinerator, the heavy metals vaporize and enter the air. Either way, the toxins will enter the environment and food chain, and therefore will come back to you in some way or another.

Heavy metals, most notably mercury, are often used in pilot light switches in stoves and other natural gas-powered appliances, electrical switches in your house, and thermostats and thermometers. The problem with mercury, other than its inherent toxicity, is that it is a liquid at room temperature, and therefore can "seep" into soil and down into groundwater. If you suspect that something you need to trash may have some sort of heavy metal in any part of it, contact your county or state environmental quality department. They will be more than happy to assist you in properly disposing whatever it is that you may have.

And yes, the same can be said of any other chemicals that you may have around your house. If you have an empty container of oven cleaner, as long as it is empty you can recycle it along with your other metals, but if that container is only half-empty, then you must find another way to dispose of it. Most cleaning agents contain harmful chemicals that can leach out in landfills or enter the atmosphere if incinerated. The best idea is to try to buy "green" or ecologically friendly cleaning products. They are not only better for your family, but they are much easier to dispose. However, we all have some type of toxic cleaner or chemical around the house (sometimes "inherited" with a new house). Just make sure that you are including these items on your list of things to dispose of properly. And this list should also include any chemicals that you use in the garden or in your yard. Pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, pool and spa chemicals; these all need to be taken in to a proper disposal service. Again, Earth 911 or your county/state government will be able to assist in this.

Automotive waste seems to be one of the easier types of hazardous or universal waste for the average person to recycle. This is mostly because when you take your car in for service, the automotive shop will take care of it for you. Transmissions fluid, brake fluid, oil filters, and even lubricants can be recycled. However, if you do your own oil change at home, be aware that it is important to recycle that motor oil and oil filter properly, as if not, it can be very harmful to the environment. One gallon (or four quarts) of motor oil can contaminate two million of gallons of water — enough to supply 50 people for an entire year. Check around to see if a local shop will take care of your oil for you, or contact you local recycler. Some cities even collect used motor oil curbside, such as Portland, Oregon.

Automotive batteries are recycled at a rate of 98.8 percent. This is much in part due to a successful program of returning the old battery when you buy a new one. The tire industry is following this model. Buy new tires, usually you pay a small fee to have your old ones disposed of or recycled. Tires can be re-treaded or turned into rubber "mulch" for playgrounds. Tires should never be burned, which can happen if you trash the tires, as you never know if that load of trash will go to the incinerator or the landfill. If you have ever smelled a buring tire, the odor should be enough evidence that there are materials in that tire that should not be released into the air.

Other items that should be recycled or properly disposed of include such things as propane tanks, treated lumber, large and small appliances, and any type of biomedical waste. As mentioned before, if you are in doubt, check it out. Paint, both latex and oil-based, paint thinners and other solvents should be recycled, and can often times be donated to organizations that will see to it that your unused paint can go to needy individuals or groups. If you are doing any other home remodeling, check to see about what materials can be recycled or donated. Also, be careful if you have any asbestos in your home. Contact a professional asbestos-removal service, as asbestos is very dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to your health.

Lastly, electronic waste is becoming a larger and more dangerous problem, not only for the US, but also for those countries that are taking in the electronic waste, such as China and Nigeria. A large percentage of the US's electronic waste is being sent overseas by irresponsible recycling companies. The old computers and television sets are being taken apart by unqualified workers without proper safety equipment, and then often times burned, releasing toxins and heavy metals into the soil, water, and air. This does not mean that you should let your old iMac collect dust in your closet, it just means that you should ensure that you are giving your old computers, TVs, printers, scanners, monitors, Xboxes, Playstations, and any other computer hardware to a responsible recycler or organization that refurbishes electronics for schools or other groups. Due to the growing problem of "e-waste exporting," many electronics makers are implementing their own recycling program. Companies like Sony, Apple, Hewlitt Packard and Dell all offer a "take back" program for your old electronics. To find out more information, check out ComputerTakeback.com . This site can help you decide the best option for the proper disposal and recycling of your electronics. ALL electronics include toxic materials, so be sure to not include them in the trash bin.

Rot

Composting is the fourth component of reducing your impact on the landfill. Surprisingly, only 2.4 percent of all food waste thrown away is being recovered. Granted, food scraps are not a huge percentage of what ends up in landfills, and food does biodegrade, but still, that is a very low percentage of your kitchen scraps that end up in your compost pile (or your community compost pile). Yard waste has a much better "recycled" rate. 62 percent of all yard waste is being recovered via composting, and that is a 500 percent increase since 1990. There are now almost 3,500 composting projects across the US, and the number is growing every year. Composting is easy, and can provide valuable "food" for your garden and houseplants. Live in an apartment? Vermiculture uses red worms to compost. If properly done, there is no smell, and your plants will thank you. Just make sure that you never compost anything that is animal-derived or has any sort of "fat" included.

"R" You Doing Your Part?

Reducing your impact on the planet and reducing the amount of your trash that is headed for the landfill is not much more difficult than taking your trash can out to the curb. You just have to put different materials in different bins. If you do a little bit of research, you can find out how much of the "stuff" you are throwing away is actually recyclable. The number of active landfills in the US has decreased from 8,000 to 1,500, and no one wants a new landfill springing up in their backyard. So if we can reduce our need for the landfill, and the incinerator, we will not only save our open spaces around the country, but we will also save the amount of energy needed to produce new paper, new steel, new aluminum, and new plastic. Every stage of a products life requires energy to produce or process or ship or even recycle it. But think of this — if the 48 billion aluminum cans that go to the landfill every year were instead recycled, it would equivalent to saving 24 million barrels of oil, and that is a whole lot of carbon not being released into the atmosphere.

For more information:

Earth911.org — "The Nation's Premier Environmental Resource," and by gum, they mean it. This site should always be your first stop in finding more information on recycling in your area. Also offers lot of information that is invaluable to those serious about their trash.

ComputerTakeBack.com — A great tool for finding a responsible recycler for your PC, as well as all kinds of information on the growing problem of electronic waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste — A great place to start if you want to learn more about any number of solid waste issues and resources.

The Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste — The Environmental Protection Agency's site for information on what you can do to reduce your waste in the first place.

The Internet Consumer Recycling Guide — A fairly comprehensive overview of recycling. A good place to start for basic knowledge.

PVC: The Poison Plastic — The Center for Health, Environment and Justice website that focuses on the dangers of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. You will be surprised how ubiquitous this dangerous substance is.

GrassRoots Recycling Network — This group conducts campaigns to reduce waste and urge "zero waste" through design. If you really want to get involved in the issue of waste, this website is good to read. These people are serious about trash reduction.

Anti-Recycling Myths — Environmental Defense debunks the mths that recycling is a "waste" of time and effort.