Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

“Reduce-Reuse-Recycle” is a phrase many people are used to hearing these days. And while many are living by the popular motto, we have a long way to go. The latest statistics on the amount of waste that Americans generate are from 2005. The Environmental Protection Agency calculated that Americans created 246 million tons of trash a year. Pennsylvania contributed almost five-million tons to that hefty number.

The good news is that overall trash ending up in landfills is down as consumers begin to Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. Between 1990 and 2005 trash dumped into the nation’s landfills was down by nine-million tons. That number has continued to improve as more households think twice about what to toss in the trash and what to reuse and recycle. But dosomething.org still reports that 80 percent of what Americans throw-away is recyclable. National recycling rates remain at just 28-percent. Many larger communities have introduced single stream recycling, which means you don’t have to separate glass, paper, and plastics, they can
all go in the same container. Not surprisingly, communities with single stream recycling have much higher compliance rates. Recycling is required in Pennsylvania. In 1998, the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act was approved. Pennsylvania is the largest state in the nation to require recycling.

Protective wire was placed around each new tree. According to the Clean Air Council, almost one-third of the waste being dumped into landfills is packaging. Some consumer groups have been lobbying toymakers, electronics companies, and other manufacturers to reduce the amount of plastic, cardboard, and Styrofoam in their packaging. The packaging waste problem is highlighted over the holidays. Waste Management, the largest municipal waste company in the United States, continues to report a significant increase in trash pick-up in December and January.  So next time you are in Eagles Mere and the question
is whether to throw something away, remember that reduce- reuse-recycle begins with you. Help the borough make  a difference, and your small effort can have a ripple effect. Reduce your trash; reuse what you can; and recycle according to the Eagles Mere guidelines.

Below are some websites with more information and facts about recycling in Pennsylvania:

• http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/DEPUTATE/AIRWASTE/WM/recycle/recycle.htm
• http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html
• http://www.eaglesmere.org

Article written by  Courtney Brinkerhoff-Rau.