As we learn to leave a smaller imprint on our communities let us consider the role recycling plays in this equation. Recycling is third in the 3Rs hierarchy because it is more important to first reduce our waste. In
other words, do not buy waste in the first place. That being said, recycling is an important cog in our system to lessen our imprint. Here are some interesting factoids for you to reflect upon:Making a new glass bottle from scratch produces significantly more air and water pollution than recycling it, all while consuming more energy. The energy saved by recycling one glass bottle is enough to power a 100-watt light bulb during a four-hour period. By taking the time to recycle your glass, you are lessening our need for energy.
Aluminum is a fascinating metal and it is one of our favorite recycling facts. It was once more precious than gold. This metal is interesting for its historical value but it also has wonderful properties that make it ideal for recycling. Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without limit. By recycling aluminum, you save 95% of the energy needed to create new aluminum from virgin feedstock. By recycling aluminum you are reducing emissions from the burning of coal and reducing our need to import material from foreign countries, the source of bauxite, the ore from which aluminum is made.
The production of Sunday newspapers in the USA requires the equivalent of five hundred thousand trees each week. Just over a quarter of these newspapers are recycled. That means the other 75% is land filled. Here in Douglas County, over 32% of our own landfill is made up of paper and cardboard. We are discarding a vital material that local paper mills require for the manufacture of their products. By recycling your paper, you are supporting Oregon jobs, reducing energy consumption, lessening emissions, and saving precious landfill space.
We could heat fifty million homes over a course of twenty years with the amount of paper and wood that is thrown away in the USA each year. Run those numbers through your head one more time. It is staggering. Here in Douglas County we have over 10 locations to drop of your wood and yard debris for recycling into usable products. Heartwood ReSources and Robinson’s Building Discount also accepts usable materials for reuse and resale.
Another stunning fact about recycling concerns plastic bottles. These items are unnatural enemies of the environment and there are a lot of them. “A lot” is an understatement. People in United States alone use about 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour! These bottles are primarily created from foreign natural gas reserves. By recycling your plastic, you lesson our reliance on those sources, promote Oregon jobs, reduce litter, reduce emissions from the transportation of the raw material, and save energy.
Consider not buying water bottles this next year and you can save hundreds and hundreds of dollars on something that is nearly free from the tap. If you must have bottled water, hire a service to deliver 5 gallons at a time and utilize a reusable, durable container to drink out of. This will save you many dollars as well, all while reducing waste and saving energy.
I want to thank everyone for doing their part to “Trash Douglas County Less”! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality just issued the latest recycling figures for the state. Douglas County grew to a 32.1% recycling rate in 2007. This is representative of a 2.4% growth while the state as a whole actually dipped for the second year in a row. Keep up the good work and together we can make a difference! We are well on our way to reaching the County goal of 40% of material to be diverted from entering the local landfill; thus saving the County millions of dollars.
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