Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Based on EPA’s Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, the total municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States has increased substantially from 88.1 million tons in 1960 to 262.4 million tons in 2015 Of the MSW generated, approximately 67.8 million tons were recycled, 23 million tons composted, equivalent to a 34.7% recycling and composting rate. In addition, more than 33 million tons of MSW (12.8%) were combusted with energy recovery. Finally, more than 137 million tons of MSW (52.5%) ended up in landfills.

Recycling rates are also typically dismal. Measured by percentage of generation, products with the highest recycling rates in 2015 were lead-acid batteries (99%), corrugated boxes (92.3%), steel cans (71.3%), newspapers/mechanical papers (71.2%), major appliances (61.7%), aluminum cans (54.9%), mixed paper (43.6%), tires (40.2%), and selected consumer electronics (39.8%). Glass recycling rate is negligible, whilst plastics is 2.2% - 6.6%.
 

There is significant concern about the hazards of plastic pollution in the marine environment. To learn more about the toxicological threats of plastic and microplastics, visit the EPA's website: www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/toxicological-threats-plastic

As you can see, the most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place!

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Packaging in most parts of the developed world constitutes as much as 1/3 of the non-industrial solid waste stream.

The CalRecycle’s Manufacturer’s Challenge by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) goal is to reduce packaging waste 50% by 2020.