Assignment: Waste Recycling
There is a lot of "buzz" about recycling and "going green". According to your text, EPA defines recycling as the process of minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing useable products that might otherwise become waste i.e. paper, bottles, aluminum cans etc. Therefore, regarding the term recycling, discuss:
a) What method(s) are used at yourhome/locale
b) What method(s) have you identified are used on-campus
Required Text: Friis, Robert H. Essentials of Environmental Health, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2012
Chapter-Solid and Liquid Wastes
I have two of my classmate responses to above Questions you have to make comments about 3 sentences for each.
C. T.
I live in a rather small-town west of here. Many would agree that we still live in the "stone ages" with some things they still see going on around the city. We recently got a new waste management company in our town who takes care of all trash collection. Unfortunately they do not offer roadside pick up to recycle. However, there are three separate trailers that have compartments in them to recycle. There is a man in charge of recycling in the city and he parks the trailers all over the county so people have an opportunity to recycle materials. Also, during the summer months, teenagers have the opportunity to work for the city and walk the roads picking up trash. Those materials are then separated and recycled.
Here on campus I have seen several types of recycling processes. The different waste cans to throw paper, or plastic in. I think it is very important to show students these techniques. It becomes a habit to some and they can teach others. Also, I witness many guys and girls using reusable water bottles instead of plastic bottles they then throw away. I myself use a container daily to save on water bottles and filling up the trash bin.
N. F.
a. Being from Louisville, there is more than one method of recycling. In the area of Louisville I'm from, recycling trucks and garbage trucks pass through my neighborhood on the same day of the week, but alternating weeks. There are also more than 10 recycling drop-off locations. Not all areas of Louisville supply both garbage and recycling services every week, so these recycling drop-off locations makes it easier for people of the city to contribute to the community and recycle.
b. Being at WKU for more than four years, on campus the only method of recycling I've seen is a can typically next to the trash can with a blue top that states it's for recycling. However, being off campus for more than a year, recycling feels harder. My apartment complex has dumpsters for trash, but not for materials worth recycling. This is tough, but like in Louisville there are recycling drop off locations. These locations in Bowling Green though are specified by what is being recycled at the recycling drop-offs, which is very cool.
Final note, recycling is a choice. Whether an individual recycles all the time or not, it is his or her choice. It is recommended that we as a society should, so I do because I feel I am doing my part. Also, these recycling drop offs in both cities I find to be a smart idea, and the number of these facilities should be increased as needed.