| How can we, as individuals, participate in waste | | | | With better management of organic and |
| management? Because some of us are so | | | | recyclable waste, we will find we do not have to |
| overwhelmed with Earth's problems, we feel that | | | | put the trash out as often because the odors and |
| our contributions have no real consequence in the | | | | volume are greatly decreased. As a fiscal |
| end. For others, social barriers can be an issue. A | | | | incentive, many garbage collection companies |
| lady we once knew confessed that she did not | | | | offer discounts to homes with reduced waste. |
| want to be seen buying used items or being | | | | We can also help the waste management industry |
| concerned with power use. She was worried | | | | run more efficiently. For instance, when only full |
| people would see her as cheap - a scrooge - | | | | garbage bags and Blue or Green boxes are put |
| when the family was so affluent. Yet, she was | | | | out on the curb, the garbage truck does not have |
| very careful to be seen with recycling bins out on | | | | to stop as often and burn fossil fuels inefficiently |
| the curb on pick-up day, because that was | | | | while idling. (Incidentally, vehicle idling is responsible |
| thought to be the thing to do socially. Now is a | | | | for 3% of the air pollution problem.) Similarly, by |
| good time to put an end to these negative | | | | collapsing boxes before recycling we are ensuring |
| thoughts and feelings of false pride. Waste | | | | that space is used more efficiently, thereby |
| reduction is not about ego - it is about the health | | | | reducing the number of bins needed for |
| of the planet and of our nation. | | | | transporting materials. |
| Communities would be wise to look at Nova | | | | Recycling, alone, has a huge impact on the |
| Scotia's waste reduction success and try to | | | | environment. A study of a 100-unit apartment |
| emulate it in their area. With the highest waste | | | | building practicing maximum recycling found it |
| reduction rates in Canada, Nova Scotia has | | | | would save 21.93 thirty-foot trees, 26.86 cubic |
| reduced landfill contributions by 46% - saving | | | | yards of landfill space, 8,389 kilowatts of |
| about $31 million per year - simply by making the | | | | electricity, and 77.4 pounds of air pollution in just |
| most of the organic and recyclable materials. | | | | one year! So you see, these seemingly small |
| Curbside recycling service (Blue Box) is available to | | | | choices and efforts towards waste management |
| 99% of its residents and 76% now enjoy | | | | really do make a difference. |
| curbside organic service (a.k.a. Green Box). | | | | |