Recycling: Current Efforts, Opportunities for Expansion, and the New Problem with Electronic Gadgets

Johannah BlueWalden University

PUBH – 6165-3 Environmental Health.Service Learning Project

http://www.export.gov.il

The amount of garbage The amount of garbage produced in 2007 produced in 2007

How We’re Improving…

1980 = 3.66 lbs per person

2007 = 4.6 lbs per person

2007 = 33% recycling rate

1980 = 10% recycling rate

EPA, 2008

The Benefits of Recycling

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• Saves energy

• Reduces CO2

• Saves money

• Creates jobs

Recycling in Seattle

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http://www.blogcdn.com

Seattle has been a leader in the

field of recycling

Challenges for the Future

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Improving recycling of electronic

products will be one of the

challenges for the future of recycling.

E-Cycling

http://www.electronichouse.com

http://techie-buzz.com

http://ownercommunity.homeaway.com

4 billion pounds of electronic waste was discarded in 2005 – most of it directly to landfills

Conclusion

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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

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/2009/03/812815193_371a12bb4e.jpg

• http://www.yesmagazine.org/images/issues/85/44SOL_recyclinglogo.jpg

• http://www.export.gov.il/Eng/_Uploads/2937Environline134.html

• 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