Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 11:54 AM
The final entry in our recycling infographic series is about how plastic is recycled. Plastic goes through a process similar to that of glass and aluminum but with a couple of key differences. After being collected it is sorted, shredded, and cleaned. After it is dried, the plastic shards are fed into a machine that uses heat to turn it into pellets that can then be used in new items.
If that is not enough to convince you of the value of recycling, you may be interested to learn that:
- More than 2.4 billion pounds of plastic bottles were recycled in 2008. Although the amount of plastic bottles recycled in the U.S. has grown every year since 1990, the actual recycling rate remains steady at around 27 percent.
- Recycling 1 ton of plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space. [Source]
We hope you have found our recycling infographic series both interesting and informative! Additionally, we would love some feedback on displaying information in infographic form; did you like this format or do you prefer regular blog entries? And remember, take the time to sort out your recyclables!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, May 04, 2012 @ 01:13 PM
This week we continue with the third in our recycling infographic series! This weeks is all about the aluminum recycling process and will walk you through what happens to your aluminum waste once you put it into the recycling.
This is a six step process through which aluminum is cleaned, melted, turned into ingots, and sent to become new aluminum goods. The aluminum recycling process is so efficient that in as little as six weeks, a recycled aluminum product can be back on shelves!
Check back next week for the final infograhic in our series which will tell about the plastic recycling process!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Apr 27, 2012 @ 03:15 PM
Two weeks ago we started our recycling infographic series. Although we took a week off for earth week (did anyone plant a tree last weekend?) we are picking it back up this week with an infographic about how the glass recycling process works. This is a five step process that, like all recycling, starts with you and me! Making sure to put your glass into the recycling is the first and most important step in the process!
Glass is one of the most interesting recyclables because it has an unlimited lifespan; it can be recycled and reused indefinately without degrading or loosing quality! So the next time you finish a jar of jelly, a bottle of wine, or a jar of pasta sauce remember that the glass can be used many more times! So that's the challenge, will you remember to recycle your glass?
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Apr 20, 2012 @ 07:33 AM
If you are a regular reader of our blog you may know that we started our recycling infographic series last week and were supposed to continue it this week with a post about the glass recycling process. I however forgot that we had a special article planned for this week as it is almost Earth Day! So, if you'll excuse my mistake, this week we will be telling you why you should take the time to plant a tree this Earth Day weekend and we will pick back up with the recycling infographics next week.
The reasons to plant a tree are vast and veried, a few of them as reported by Casey Trees of Washington D.C. are:
- Trees Clean the Air - Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
- Trees Save Energy - Homes shaded by trees have 10-30 percent savings in air conditioning costs compared to homes without shade.
- Trees Increase Property Values - In urban areas across the country, homes with trees sell for an average of 10-20 percent more.
Additionally, as is shown in the graphic below over the course of 50 years a single tree can make a huge impact on both the environment and the economy!
So if you are looking for a fun Earth Day activity this weekend, we encourage you to plant a tree! Check back next week for the glass recycling infographic!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 @ 10:10 AM
This week we are starting our four part Recycling Infographic Series! Below is the first infographic in the series which illustrates the process recycled paper goes through before being reintroduced into the market.
This process, which is explained in greater detail in the infographic has six main parts; re-pulping, screening, cleaning, deinking, refining, and paper making. All of these steps are needed in order to take used paper and make it ready to be used again. More and more items are now being made with paper that has gone through a recycling process like the one depicted below, giving renewed life to what was formerly seen as "trash."
Our infographic series will cover four common recyclables: paper, aluminum, glass, and plastics. Hopefully, knowing a little more about how items are able to be reused will encourage everyone to recycle more basic household wastes that would otherwise end up in a landfill! So, read on below for the specifics involved in the paper recycling process and remember to check back next week to learn about glass recycling!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Apr 06, 2012 @ 12:34 PM
Next week we will be starting a four-part recycling infographic series detailing the process four common recyclables go through in order to be reused. Before that starts though, I thought I would preface with some interesting statistics aboutAmerica’s recycling habits.
1) According to the NRDC, recycling 75 percent of the nation’s waste will create nearly 1.5 million jobs by 2030 while significantly reducing pollution, saving water and energy, and building economically strong and healthy communities.
2) The NRDC also states that while the vast majority of municipal solid waste nationwide can be readily recycled, re-used, or composted, only 33 percent is currently diverted from disposal, and only 30 percent of the 178 million tons of construction and demolition debris is recycled.
3) The Clean Air Council reports that every year, Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times.
4) In 2008, Americans recycled 7 million tons of metals, eliminating the equivalent of nearly 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or taking 4.5 million cars off the road for one year.
5) The average American uses about the equivalent of one 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products each year.
So remember to recycle as much as you can and check back next week for the first in our recycling process series!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Mar 30, 2012 @ 09:44 AM
Information for this weeks post was found via the Green Guide Network. Below, you will find the different classifications of plastic, common items in each category, and information about recycling. To read more from The Green Guide Network click here.
Plastic #1: Polyethylene terephtalate, also known as PETE or PET. Usually clear in color, the vast majority of disposable soda and water bottles are made of #1 plastic. This plastic is considered generally safe and is picked up by most curbside recycling programs. However, the porous nature of its surface allows bacteria and flavor to accumulate, so avoid reusing these bottles as makeshift containers.
Plastic #2: High-density polyethylene, or HDPE. Most milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs, and toiletries bottles are made of HDPE. Usually opaque in color and picked up by most recycling programs. This plastic is considered safe and has low risk of leaching.
Plastic #3: Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. It is used to make food wrap, bottles for cooking oil, and the highly common plumbing pipes. PVC, although tough in terms of strength, is not considered safe to cook food near. PVC contains softening chemicals called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development. Never cook using food wrap, especially in a microwave oven. This plastic is rarely accepted by recycling programs.
Plastic #4: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is used to make grocery bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles, and bread bags. While considered safe it is unfortunately not often accepted by curbside recycling programs.
Plastic #5: This is polypropylene. Common items produced with it include yogurt cups, medicine bottles, ketchup, syrup bottles, straws and similar wide-necked containers, as well as water bottles with a cloudy finish. This plastic is also considered safe, and is increasingly being accepted by curbside recycling programs.
Plastic #6: Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, from which disposable containers and packaging are made. Also found in disposable plates and cups. Overwhelming evidence suggests that this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Try to avoid the use of #6 plastic as much as possible. It is difficult to recycle and most recycling programs won't accept it.
Plastic #7: This category basically means "everything else" and is composed of plastics that were invented after 1987 - the use of plastic in this category is at your own risk since you don't know what could be in it. Polycarbonate falls into this category, including the highly toxic BPA. Products produced include baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, CD's, DVD's, and even iPods. It is wise to dispose of any food or drink related product that is known to contain BPA. It is difficult to recycle #7 plastic and most curbside recycling programs won't accept it.
Where do you recycle your plastics?
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Mar 23, 2012 @ 12:07 PM
Chances are you or someone you know uses CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs in their home, office, etc. These bulbs, while being more environmentally friendly and longer lasting, pose some danger if broken. The danger stems primarily from the mercury that is in the bulbs because it is toxic in large quantities.
The EPA has a detailed set of guidelines to be followed if you have a broken bulb that needs cleaned up. These detailed steps can be found here.
To begin you clear people and animals out of the room where the broken bulb is located and turn off any central air system. Take about 5-10 minutes to let the room air out. This is a good time to gather the supplies you will need for the clean up. You will need:
- Stiff paper or cardboard
- Sticky tape
- Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes
- A glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag
The basic clean up steps (as taken from the EPA website) are as follows:
1. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)
2. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
3. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
It is not recommended that you use a vacuum unless you are certain that all the glass debris is gone.
After you seal the jar or bag you should remove it from your house. Then check about local ordinances concerning the proper disposal of mercury containing wastes. And remember, while this is a good method for cleaning up an accident the best practice is proper disposal before.
Do you know of a local place to take CFL bulbs for disposal? Share the information in the comments section below!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Mar 16, 2012 @ 01:20 PM
This week we are taking a break from hazardous waste and doing our first Eco Oddities post! Herein we will highlight a few recent environmental stories we have read or heard that we found to be bizarre, interesting, humorous, etc.
1. Please do not feed the animals!
A 30 year old giraffe was found dead at an Indonesian zoo, an autopsy later found 40lbs of plastic in its stomach. Apparently, throughout its lifetime the giraffe had been eating the trash thrown into its exhibit by zoo patrons.
Ian Singleton, a former zoo keeper who runs an orangutan conservation program on Sumatra Island, told the associated press, "This is extremely tragic, but…by no means surprising in Indonesia’s zoos, given the appalling way they are managed on the whole." The zoo, which has seen trouble in previous years due to premature deaths of animals, will hopefully be required to improve the living conditions for the animals. Read the full story here.
2. Giant Prehistoric Penguins!
National Geographic reported on February 27th that fossils of a new species of penguin were found in New Zealand. These prehistoric penguins would have stood around 4.3 feet tall, about twice as tall as the penguins we know today and the same height as an average 8-year-old! Read the full story here.
3. Aging out of Hollywood
The Pacific Princess, the iconic boat that served at the backdrop for "The Love Boat" TV series, is being scrapped. According to USA Today, the boat was purchased by a Turkish demolition company for a little more than $3.3 million (2.5 million euro). Read the rest of the story here.
These are just three of the stories we have seen recently. Have you heard or read anything strange or interesting about our world? Let us know in the comments section below!
Posted by Kyley Eagleson on Fri, Mar 09, 2012 @ 09:29 AM
The other day as I was brainstorming ideas to write about for the blog something occurred to me. Hazardous waste is a very broad concept. I realized that outside of a company that deals with theses items on a daily basis, there may be confusion about what even qualifies as hazardous. This being said, I decided to talk about what, exactly, hazardous waste is.
The EPA defines hazardous waste as, “waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment.” They further break down these wastes into four categories:
- Listed Wastes: These are wastes that EPA has determined to be hazardous. These listed wastes include F-list, K-list, and P-and U-Lists.
- Characteristic Wastes: These are wastes that do not fit into any of the above listings but that exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.
- Universal Wastes: This includes things like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (e.g., thermostats, old fashioned thermometers, etc.) and fluorescent lamps.
- Mixed Wastes: These are wastes that contain both radioactive and hazardous waste components.
For all of these wastes it is vital to dispose of them in a manner that will not harm the environment. Luckily, current available technologies are able to remove toxicity and/or hazard from many of these items making them safe for reuse or disposal.
Share your knowledge: What are some types of waste that you have the hardest time properly treating and disposing of? What program do you currently have in place to identify, treat and dispose of hazardous wastes?