By Allison Janowski, Kirsten Norris, Emily Brygier Waste: It’s bad By Allison Janowski, Kirsten Norris, Emily Brygier

Municipal Waste. AKA garbage The issue of waste has been around since the early times of humankind. The average person a person generates about 4.40 pounds of waste a day The United States produced over 254 million tons of garbage in 2013 Only 34% of that waste was recycled Plastic is a huge contributor to this issue Recycling and recovery can’t keep up with plastic production. About 10-20 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year.

Possible Causes of Waste Majority of waste comes from domestic, commercial, industrial, municipal, and agriculture Increase in world population (more consumption creates more waste) Overproduction and extra inventory Defects or bad quality Unnecessary packaging

Consequences of waste Affects Waste has on soil Acid from batteries seep into the soil Chemicals that get into the soil can harm plants Affects Waste has on water Pollution happens when toxins enter water bodies Bacteria, mercury, phosphorus and nitrogen. Harms ecosystems in the water Harms animals who use contaminated water Affects waste has on air quality Air pollution can take form of greenhouse gasses Air pollution kills more than two million people every year

Overall Possible Solutions Lined and covered landfills or incineration facilities Composting- conversion of organic waste into mulch or humus through natural decomposition; used to enrich the soil Reducing material entering the waste stream Banning plastic grocery bags and using reusable ones Recycling awareness and action Recycling programs

Possible Solutions for the Consumer Avoid buying individually wrapped/ single serve containers Reduce unwanted mail you receive Shop at second hand stores Buy or create recycled items Buy items in bulk and use reusable containers Reusable water bottle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYDQcBQUDpw

The Glenside Garden Feat. Flower Power Glenside Elementary The Glenside Garden Feat. Flower Power

Our EACAP Project Benches and Chalkboard Gardening Environmental Club