Recycling: Current Efforts, Opportunities for Expansion, and the New Problem with Electronic Gadgets Johannah Blue Walden University PUBH – 6165-3 Environmental Health. Service Learning Project This presentation is intended to give an overview of recycling for the average consumer living in a single or multifamily residence. It will cover information on the amount of waste that is created in our society, why recycling is important, and how we can improve our recycling habits. We will then focus on Seattle, Washington, as a sort of case study example, to demonstrate some of the ways that recycling can be successful. Finally, we will examine the challenges for the future of recycling, including the recycling of electronic equipment.

The amount of garbage produced in 2007 254 million tons = Americans generate a lot of garbage – and out of the 254 million tons we created in 2007 alone, 137 million of it was discarded to landfills. Some of that material could have been recycled or put to other uses (EPA 2008). However, many cities, organizations, and individuals are recognizing the importance of increased recycling efforts. The amount of garbage produced in 2007 http://www.export.gov.il

How We’re Improving… 2007 = 4.6 lbs per person 2007 = 33% recycling rate Since 1980, the amount of waste produced per person per day has increased from 3.66 lbs per day to 4.6 lbs. per day. However, our recycling habits have also improved. In 1980, we recycled less than 10% of the waste that we created, but as of 2007, we are recycling more than 33% of our total garbage (EPA 2008) 1980 = 3.66 lbs per person 1980 = 10% recycling rate EPA, 2008

The Benefits of Recycling Saves energy Reduces CO2 Saves money Creates jobs Recycling has great benefits to the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that recycling 85 million tons of waste saves 1.3 quadrillion Btu of energy, or the equivalent of 10.7 billion gallons of gasoline. In addition, it saves 193 million metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of removing 35 million cars from the road. Finally, recycling one ton of aluminum cans saves the equivalent of 36 barrels of oil. Recycling some of our waste products can make a substantial difference. In addition to the benefits to the environment, recycling saves money and creates jobs. People can save on their general garbage pickup costs by decreasing the amount of garbage that is picked up, and increasing the amount of waste that is recycled (Seattle Public Utilities 2009). In addition, it is estimated that between computer, textile, and miscellaneous product reuse, 443 jobs are created per 10,000 tons per year of material (Waste to Wealth 2006). According to a national study, the recycling industry in the US employs over 1.1 million people, and that it generates approximately 12.9 billion dollars in federal, state, and local tax revenues (EPA 2002). http://widnesskips.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/landfill3.jpg http://www.geocities.com/radu_energy/ba9125-001.jpg http://www.biojobblog.com/tags/jobs/ http://www.biojobblog.com http://widnesskips.files.wordpress.com

Seattle has been a leader in the field of recycling Recycling in Seattle Seattle has been a leader in the field of recycling Seattle, WA has put great focus on improving their recycling habits recently, and making recycling easier and more convenient for the average consumer. In 2005, Seattle recycled 44% of the overall waste that was generated. The city hopes to increase that rate to 60% by 2012. In order to do this, Seattle instituted new recycling initiative in 2007 to improve ease of recycling for residential consumers. The new program is already producing results: in 2008, Seattle’s recycling figures increased to 50% of all generated waste, a new record for the city and well on the way to the 2012 goal. (Recycling Today 2009). The new Seattle recycling program increases the types of food scraps that can be recycled, and combines yard waste and food scrap pickup weekly. In addition, all other recyclable materials can be combined into a single bin, eliminating the need for the time consuming separating that was previously required with multiple bins. The city’s plan also includes replacing 60% of waste pickup trucks with quieter, less polluting bio-diesel vehicles (Office of the Mayor 2008). http://www.blogcdn.com http://www.yesmagazine.org

Challenges for the Future Improving recycling of electronic products will be one of the challenges for the future of recycling. It is important for recycling programs to be capable of adjusting to the changing needs of communities in order to be effective. One of the major challenges that programs face is the increase in disposal of electronic items, such as computers and cell phones. http://cache.gawker.com

E-Cycling 4 billion pounds of electronic waste was discarded in 2005 – most of it directly to landfills One of the major challenges to recycling in the future will be the correct recycling of electronic devises, or “e-cycling.” The Safety Council estimates that 63 million computers became obsolete in 2005 alone, and that 75% of all obsolete computers are sitting in storage somewhere, waiting to be disposed of (Descy, 2007). According to the EPA, over 4 billion pounds of e-waste was discarded in 2005, and more than 87% of this went directly to landfills or incineration (Total Reclaim 2009). And these numbers do not include cell phones - only 10% of old cell phones are estimated to be recycled after they are no longer in use (EPA 2008). Why is e-waste a problem? As more electronics are created, and as people consume the newest and latest devises, the amount of e-waste is increasing. Discarded electronics can contain many toxic materials, including lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leak into the ground or local water supply. Many of these chemicals have been linked to increased cancer rates (Total Reclaim 2009) Many states, including Washington, have made it illegal to discard used electronics to the garbage or dump.   One of the difficulties for consumers in effective e-cycling is that it is not as simple or convenient as the curbside pickup that many people enjoy for plastics, cans, and paper. One of the challenges for cities and other agencies will be to increase the availability of convenient ways for people to recycle their electronic items. Improving access will ideally lead to increased e-cycling rates, just as it has with many regular recycling programs. http://techie-buzz.com/images/stories/laptop.jpg http://www.hashemian.com/blog/2007_04_01_archive.htm http://ownercommunity.homeaway.com http://www.electronichouse.com http://techie-buzz.com

Conclusion http://www.keepscrevenbeautiful.com The amount of waste produced by modern society continues to increase, and it is important to find ways to reduce the amount of material that is placed into our capacity-limited landfills. One of the best ways to do this is to increase and improve our recycling efforts. Recycling is better for the environment, saves money for consumers, and creates important job opportunities and revenue.   Seattle, WA is just one example of the ways that cities are working to improve their recycling programs. They have demonstrated the importance of making recycling clear and easy for consumers, and continue to expand their efforts. As the number of discarded electronics’ continues to grow, e-cycling is becoming one of the major challenges for the future of recycling. Ensuring the safe and effective disposal of electronic items will be an important task for cities and individuals alike. http://www.keepscrevenbeautiful.com

Further Reading Environmental Protection Agency (2008). Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; Washington, DC Environment-Green website – recycling facts and benefits. http://environment-green.com/ Seattle Recycling Website, Recycle at Your House. http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Recycling/Recycle_at_Your _House/index.asp Listed here are resources that you may wish to consider for more information regarding the benefits and future concerns of recycling programs.

References Environmental Protection Agency (2002). Recycling is Working in the United States. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; Washington, DC   Environmental Protection Agency (2008). Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; Washington, DC Descy, D.E. (2007). Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Good Earth and the Electronics Dilemma. TechTrends. 51, 4 Office of the Mayor (2008). Mayor Announces Changes to Help Homeowners Recycle More, Easier. City of Seattle; Seattle, WA ((website)) Recycling Today Magazine (2009). Seattle Recycling Rate hits 50 Percent Mark. GIE Media Inc; http://www.recyclingtoday.com/articles/article.asp?ID=8348&AdKeyword=seattle Seattle Public Utilities (2009). Recycle at Your House. City of Seattle; Seattle, WA. http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Recycling/Recycle_at_Your_House/index.asp Total Reclaim (2009). Responsible Recycling Solutions. Total Reclaim Environmental Services Inc; http://www.totalreclaim.com/ Waste to Wealth (2006). Recycling Means Business. Institute for Local Self-Reliance; http://www.ilsr.org/recycling/recyclingmeansbusiness.html

Slide Picture Credits http://www.export.gov.il/Eng/_Uploads/2937Environline134.html http://widnesskips.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/landfill3.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.greendaily.com/media/2009/03/81281519 3_371a12bb4e.jpg http://www.yesmagazine.org/images/issues/85/44SOL_recyclinglogo.jpg http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/lifehacker/2009/04/ecycling.jpg

Slide Picture Credits (continued) http://techie-buzz.com/images/stories/laptop.jpg http://www.electronichouse.com/images/uploads/e-waste.jpg http://ownercommunity.homeaway.com/pages/Resources/Public_Pages/ Owner_Community_News/June_2008:_Owner_Community_Newsl http://www.keepscrevenbeautiful.com/ElectronicsRecycling.JPG http://www.export.gov.il/Eng/_Uploads/2937Environline134.html