The Valuable Individual
By Lillian & Dave Brummet, Fri Dec 9th

The Valuable Individual (413 words)

How can we, as individuals, participate in waste management?Because some of us are so overwhelmed with Earth’s problems, wefeel that our contributions have no real consequence in the end.For others, social barriers can be an issue. A lady we once knewconfessed that she did not want to be seen buying used items orbeing concerned with power use. She was worried people would seeher as cheap – a scrooge – when the family was so affluent. Yet,she was very careful to be seen with recycling bins out on thecurb on pick-up day, because that was thought to be the thing todo socially. Now is a good time to put an end to these negativethoughts and feelings of false pride. Waste reduction is notabout ego - it is about the health of the planet and of ournation.

Communities would be wise to look at Nova Scotia’s wastereduction success and try to emulate it in their area. With thehighest waste reduction rates in Canada, Nova Scotia has reducedlandfill contributions by 46% - saving about $31 million peryear - simply by making the most of the organic and recyclablematerials. Curbside recycling service (Blue Box) is available to99% of its residents and 76% now enjoy curbside organic service(a.k.a. Green Box).

With better management of organic and recyclable waste,

Cancellara wins first Tour stage
Fabian Cancellara powers to victory in the opening time trial in the Tour de France as seven-time champion Lance Armstrong makes his return to the race.
Boonen handed late Tour reprieve
Belgian rider Tom Boonen is allowed to enter this year's Tour de France by a French arbitration court.
Armstrong given dope test warning
Lance Armstrong is warned he will be "particularly monitored" in doping tests at this year's Tour de France, which starts on Saturday.
Briton Wegelius gains Tour slot
Charles Wegelius is given a Tour de France place following the withdrawal of Dutchman Thomas Dekker due to a positive doping test.
GB cycling chief backs Tour aim
GB cycling chief executive Ian Drake gives his backing to the plan to deliver a British Tour de France winner with a new team by 2014.
City honours Olympic cyclist Hoy
Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy is honoured as he receives the Edinburgh Award in his home city.
House beats GB stars to win title
Kristian House beat a host of Olympic superstars to claim the first major win of his cycling career at the British National Road Race Championships.
Cooke claims 10th British title
Nicole Cooke adds the British National road race title to her Olympic and world crowns in Abergavenny.
Elite cyclists 'risk infertility'
Professional cyclists should consider freezing their sperm before embarking on their careers, say researchers.
Contador to lead Astana Tour team
Alberto Contador will lead Astana's Tour de France, with seven-time winner Lance Armstrong in a support-rider role.
GB elite riders set for Team Sky
Geraint Thomas, David Millar, Bradley Wiggins and Steve Cummings will join a new British-based team, according to British Cycling coach Shane Sutton.
Valverde to miss Tour de France
Alejandro Valverde's team says the Spaniard will not ride in this year's Tour de France as he waits for an appeal to be heard against a two-year doping ban.
Wales given Games cycling boost
Wales are likely to have Olympic star cyclists Geraint Thomas and Nicole Cooke available to compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Everyday Cycling
Cycling blogs
Tour de France

we willfind we do not have to put the trash out as often because theodors and volume are greatly decreased. As a fiscal incentive,many garbage collection companies offer discounts to homes withreduced waste.

We can also help the waste management industry run moreefficiently. For instance, when only full garbage bags and Blueor Green boxes are put out on the curb, the garbage truck doesnot have to stop as often and burn fossil fuels inefficientlywhile idling. (Incidentally, vehicle idling is responsible for3% of the air pollution problem.) Similarly, by collapsing boxesbefore recycling we are ensuring that space is used moreefficiently, thereby reducing the number of bins needed fortransporting materials.

Recycling, alone, has a huge impact on the environment. A studyof a 100-unit apartment building practicing maximum recyclingfound it would save 21.93 thirty-foot trees, 26.86 cubic yardsof landfill space, 8,389 kilowatts of electricity, and 77.4pounds of air pollution in just one year!

So you see, these seemingly small choices and efforts towardswaste management really do make a difference.

About the author:-- Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept ofthier new book Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions forthe individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. Aguide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on theenvironment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)