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,

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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)