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