RECYCLING IN SCHOOLS

BY BRITTANY JACKSONBRITTANYN.JACKSON2@SMAIL.ASTATE.EDU

WHAT IS RECYCLING

Recycling is to convert waste into reusable material

• Recycling can reduce the consumption of • fresh raw materials• energy usage• reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water

pollution (from landfilling)

11 FACTS ABOUT RECYCLING• The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash a

day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year

• In 2009, Americans produced enough trash to circle the Earth 24 times

• Over 75% of waste is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it

• We generate 21.5 million tons of food waste each year. If we composted that food, it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas as taking 2 million cars off the road

• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to listen to a full album on your iPod. Recycling 100 cans could light your bedroom for two whole weeks

11 FACTS ABOUT RECYCLING CONTINUED…

• Recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to make alum cans from new material

• Americans throw away 25,000,000 plastic bottles every hour

• Over 87% of Americans have access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs

• In 2009, Americans threw away almost 9 million tons of glass. That could fill enough tractor trailers to stretch from NYC to LA

• In 2010, paper recycling had increased over 89% since 1990

• If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we could save about 25 million trees each year

PRODUCTS TO RECYCLE

In our school, with the help of staff and students, there are many different items that we can recycle

• The main categories of materials to recycle are:• Glass• Paper• Plastic• Metal

GLASS

Glass

• Glass is one of the only materials that can be recycled infinitely without loosing strength, quality, or purity

• It is not safe to recycle broken glass

Glass bottles or jars

PAPER

Books and magazines• Although magazines are difficult to recycle because of the

adhesive bind, there are still recycling programs that will the recycle them

Cartons• Cartons are a valuable source of material to make products

like tissue, paper towels, and building materials• Cartons are a renewable resource

• Renewable resource- will never get depleted and can last forever if well managed

PAPER CONTINUED…

Newspaper• Newspapers can be recycled to make new newspapers

Cardboard• Cardboard can be recyclable if it has not been wet or

contaminated with food or oil• Although it is biodegradable, it is better to recycle it than to

throw it out like litter

Phone books• Like books and magazines, phone books can be recycled but

it is sometimes difficult due to the bind in the center but it is very possible to do

PLASTIC

Bags• Most plastic bags are recycled into composite lumber but are

used for more than that

Lids• Many people question if lids to plastic bottles should be

recycled but even though they are small they can be recycled into different things

Bottles and Jugs• These bottles and jugs are 100% recyclable

• Something that people use everyday and are contently buying are laundry detergent and it is one of the best jugs to recycle

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PLASTIC THAT IS NOT RECYCLED?

1. Goes to the landfill• Landfills take up

space• They have high

costs associated with upkeep and construction

• Many plastics are not biodegradable

2. Is incinerated • Burning does not

really destroy matter however, the matter may change forms and take up less space

• Produces CO2

• Chlorine containing polymers produce hydrochloric acid and contributes to acid rain

METAL

Aluminum cans• Can be recycled over and over again• A can gets turned into a new can and back on the shelves

within 60 days

Aluminum foil• It is 100% recyclable• For most recycling centers, they want the aluminum

completely clean before they are able to except it

Tin or steel cans• Cans such as coffee or soup, are one of the most commonly

recycled items

BENEFITS OF RECYCLING• Conserves natural resources

• Lowers greenhouse gas emissions

• Reduces need for new landfills

• Saves energy

• Reduces air and ground water pollution

• Creates jobs and reduces disposal costs

Overall, we could make our community a little better by recycling items here at school

REFERENCES

http://earth911.com/

http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-recycling#

http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/whatisrecycling/

http://www.epa.gov/osw/homeland/options.htm

http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics