RECYCLING for the PLANET
Conservation Efforts By Grace Kim
According to Learner.org, every year, the United States generates approximately 230 million tons of "trash"--about 4.6 pounds per person per day.
People ask whether we can bury these trash into our lands, or burn it so that it disappears forever. The truth is, burying waste pollutes the land that we are mixing it with. By burning the trash, the gas that is emitted as well as the energy it takes to burn all of the trash is equally detrimental to the environment.
According to the EPA, in 2013, newspapers/mechanical papers' recovery was about 67 percent (5.4 million tons), and about 60 percent of yard trimmings were recovered. Organic materials continued to be the largest component of MSW. Paper and paperboard accounted for 27 percent and yard trimmings, and food account contributed another 28 percent. Plastic comprised about 13 percent; metals made up 9 percent; rubber, leather, and textiles accounted for 9 percent. Wood followed at around 6 percent, and glass at 5 percent. Other miscellaneous wastes made up approximately 3 percent of the MSW generated in 2013.
I hope that as people become more aware of conservation efforts, recycling becomes a bigger part of our everyday lives. As the debate on global warming continues, we as people should be aware of what is going on and take responsibility for our own carbon footprints and the impact we have on this world.
Ink Art by Grace Kim