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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2013, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted about 87 million tons of this material. On average, we recycled and composted 1.51 pounds of our individual waste generation of 4.40 pounds per person per day. Trash can be either landfilled, composted or recycled.
If the trash cannot be used it ends up in a landfill which is a carefully designed structure built into or on top of the ground that separates the trash from the area around it. The purpose of the landfill is to bury it not break down trash. It contains minimal amounts of oxygen and moisture, which prevents trash from breaking down rapidly. Landfills are carefully filled, monitored and maintained while they are active and for up to 30 years after they are closed.
Some items that you might think are trash can be placed in a recycling bin to be converted into reusable material. Items that can be recycled include cardboard; paper; food boxes; mail; beverage cans; food cans; glass and plastic jars; jugs; plastic bottles and caps; and glass bottles.
In some cases, the waste can be composted. This is the process of making a pile of wet organic materials, such as leaves and green food waste, and waiting for the materials to break down into humus. This process can take up to months but after the compost, which is rich in nutrients, can be used for landscaping, horticulture and agriculture.
Next time you have trash, consider where it is going and how long it will be there. If you can recycle or reuse, you are saving the environment and valuable landfill space. For more information, please visit www.advanceddisposal.com.
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