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Facts About Recycling
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Facts About Recycling
Source: Draw Enterprises - www.recyclingit.com/recyfact Green Products When compared to similar products, green products are those that produce less pollution during production, use and when disposed. While no product is likely to receive a plus for each criterion associated with being green, there are some guidelines that can be used in making the best selection among the available products. Guidelines for green products include:
Backyard Composting Composting is the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost. Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in transforming the material into compost. Composting is a natural form of recycling, which continually occurs in nature. An ancient practice, composting is mentioned in the Bible several times and can be traced to Marcus Cato, a farmer and scientist who lived in Rome 2,000 years ago. Cato viewed compost as the fundamental soil enhancer, essential for maintaining fertile and productive agricultural land. He stated that all food and animal wastes should be composted before being added to the soil. By the 19th century in America, most farmers and agricultural writers knew about composting. Today there are several different reasons why composting remains an invaluable practice. Yard and food wastes make up approximately 30% of the waste stream in the United States. Composting most of these waste streams would reduce the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) requiring disposal by almost one fourth, while at the same time provide a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Compost added to gardens improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and water retention. When mixed with compost, clay soils are lightened, and sandy soils retain water better. Mixing compost with soil also contributes to erosion control, soil fertility, proper pH balance, and healthy root development in plants. The standard means of disposal for most yard and food waste include landfilling and incineration. These practices are not as environmentally or economically sound as composting. Yard waste which is landfilled breaks down very slowly due to the lack of oxygen. As it decomposes, it produces methane gas and acidic leachate, which are both environmental problems Landfilling organic wastes also takes up landfill space needed for other wastes. Incinerating moist organic waste is inefficient and results in poor combustion, which disrupts the energy generation of the facility and increases the pollutants that need to be removed by the pollution-control devices. Composting these wastes is a more effective and usually less expensive means of managing organic wastes. It can be done successfully on either a large or small scale, but the technique and equipment used differ. Backyard composting can be done using a variety of different systems, enclosures, or containers. Composting systems or bins can be constructed at home or purchased commercially. Depending on where you live, you may have a problem with rodents if vegetative food wastes are combined with yard wastes. If so, an enclosed space or bin is advisable. The methods employed will vary somewhat depending on the system you choose, but the principles and purpose remain the same. This is true for large-scale composting projects as well. Some municipalities collect yard waste at the curbside similar to the way recyclables are collected. It is taken to a central location and formed into windrows, triangular-shaped rows from 5 to 8 feet high and as long as necessary. Turning for aeration is done about once a month using a front-end loader or other type of heavy equipment made specifically for that purpose. The temperature and moisture are checked twice a week. The finished compost may be sold, given away, or used by the municipality in public works projects. Backyard composting eliminates the environmental and economic costs of the heavy equipment used to bring yard waste to a composting site and turn the windrows. Source: The Compost Resource Page Paper or Plastic? After making numerous decisions about what foods to purchase, consumers are faced with one last decision before leaving the grocery store ------ paper or plastic? Is one really better for the environment than the other? As with most debates, there are two view points. Plastic grocery bags are light, sturdy and easy to carry because of built-in handles. They also have the added advantage of preventing foods from leaking onto your car while enroute from store to home. Those who argue against the use of plastic bags are likely to point out the following facts. Plastic bags are made from non-renewable petroleum resources. Plastic bags can be recycled, but not as easily as glass, aluminum or paper. Brown paper grocery bags have been around for a long time. To provide the strength necessary for groceries, the bags must be made from 100% virgin paper. Consequently, recycled paper is not a good choice when the final product will be grocery bags. Although they are made from trees, a renewable resource, the production of paper bags can pollute the air and water with chemicals. Recycled paper creates less pollution and requires less energy than paper produced from virgin materials. What is the best solution? When someone asks "paper or plastic?", the best response is, "Neither! I brought my own cloth grocery bags" |
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