The Dirt on Composting March 31, 2010

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 26 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. This organic waste could be composted and reused. Below are a few facts to start composting:

What is compost?

Natural composting is biologic decomposition. Mature compost is the product of our organized efforts. According to the EPA mature compost “is a stable material with a content called humus that is dark brown or black and has a soil-like, earthy smell”.

How does composting occur?

There are 5 variables in composting.

1. Mix “browns” and “greens”:  Mature compost requires a proper mixing of your “greens” and “browns”. Organic matter such as grass clippings, food scraps, manure, etc compose the green category.  These items contain large amount of nitrogen. The brown category includes organic matter such as dry leaves, wood chips, branches, etc. These items contain large amounts of Carbon. Make it a work of art and include items from both categories. A proper mix of the “browns” and “greens” provides a balance of nutrients in the compost as well as a stabilized material.

2. Grind it up: Grinding compost increases the surface area that organisms can feed on. It also creates a more even material. Give your compost a leg up and your patience a second chance. Help in the decomposition process by crushing, grinding, chipping, etc.

3. Just Add Water: Composting is almost as simple as your favorite Campbell’s soup- just add water. Your organic material may be decaying, but your compost is still alive- at least the microorganisms that break down the compost are. They need water to survive. Water also helps transport nutrients within the pile and makes nutrients accessible to microbes. You don’t have to go overboard though, rain water may be sufficient. Keep your eye on the pile to see if it’s looking dry.

4. Let it Breathe: Oxygen is essential to the decomposition process. You can air your pile by turning it, placing it on a series of pipes, or mixing in wood chips or shredded newspaper (bulking agents). This also requires balance. Too much oxygen can dry out the pile.

5. Temperature: Balance in the previous four factors should result in the proper temperature for composting so this one will fall into place. The microorganisms in the composting material require a certain temperature range for optimal activity. Relatively high temperature also promote rapid rotting by destroying pathogens and weed seeds.

It’s easy to manage composting with an understanding of these 5 variables. Simply grind up your browns and greens, keep it hydrated, turn it around once or twice and you’ll have a fine batch of rot.

What can compost be used for?

According to the EPA, compost can be used for the following purposes:

• Farmers use compost for enhancing crops and for sod farms.
• Landscapers use compost as a soil amendment and for decorative purposes at properties, golf courses, and athletic fields.
• Landfill operators use compost to cover landfills and carry out reclamation projects.
• Nurseries use compost for enhancing plant and forest seedling crops in reforestation projects and to prevent certain plant diseases such as root rot.
• Public agencies use compost for landscaping highway median strips, parks, recreational areas, and other public property and remediating contaminated or eroded sites.
• Homeowners use mature compost to enrich gardens, improve the soil around trees and shrubs, use as soil additive for house plants and planter boxes and as a protective mulch for trees and shrubs.

What are the benefits of composting?

According to the EPA potential benefits include:

• Suppress plant diseases and pests.
• Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Promote higher yields of agricultural crops.
• Facilitate reforestation, wetlands restoration, and habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted, and marginal soils.
• Cost-effectively remediate soils contaminated by hazardous waste.
• Provide cost savings of at least 50 percent over conventional soil, water, and air pollution remediation technologies, where applicable.

Composting is easy! It’s not hard to start and doesn’t take a lot of upkeep. Pile it up and let nature take its course. For more information and tips see the EPA website or HowtoCompost .org

Habitat for Humanity Goes Green! March 31, 2010

Habitat for Humanity has started several initiatives to help Utah County choose to Reuse. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Orem accepts new and gently used building materials to sell at a reduced price. The proceeds go towards building homes for local, deserving families who are in need. ReStore accepts:

• Toilets
• Sinks
• Doors & Windows
• Furniture
• Unused Flooring
• Appliances
• Paint
• Light Fixtures
• Hardware
• Countertops
• Cabinets
• Bricks & Stone
• Lumber

The ReStore also accepts aluminum. Aluminum cans, disposable pans, foil, etc. can be dropped off at the store or brought directly to Western Metals Recycling. Be sure to tell them your donation proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity if you drop it off directly. Proceeds go towards building homes in Utah County. You can also volunteer to collect cans throughout the community or set up recycling boxes.

Make the most of it and bring your paper waste to ReStore. ReStore will recycle newspaper, magazines, catalogues, junk mail, phone books, books, paper bags, cereal boxes, cardboard boxes, and white and colored office paper as well. The paper will be reprocessed and manufactured into insulation for residential and commercial purposes. The proceeds will again help build homes. It takes 13,500,000 pounds of paper to build a home. Help Habitat reach this goal!

Habitat for Humanity has made is a goal to become a recycling center in the community. Their example demonstrates how an organization can advocate recycling in the community and use it to supplement their efforts.

Recylcling efforts shift to “Zero-Waste” Mentality March 31, 2010

The term recycling has adopted a much broader context. No longer are plastics bottles, aluminum cans and paper waste the target of recycling campaigns. “Zero-waste” is the new policy. This comprehensive approach to waste offers promising effects. Although it is idealistic, previous recycling campaigns have proved effective, but not enough. According to the Environmental Protection Agency Americans are dumping 4.6 pounds of trash a day. Within my apartment of 6 girls alone, that’s 27.6 pounds a day. According to these statistics our building of 12 apartments produces 2,318.4 pounds a week and 9,273.6 pounds a month. Change lies in a “zero-waste” mentality. Promoting zero tolerance of waste will push us to think beyond the blue bin and find ways to recycle, reduce our use of and reuse electronic waste, appliances, clothing, books, organic waste etc.

The challenge, however, is that “zero-waste” ideologies require a change in mentality as well as cooperation between local governments to support more extensive recycling centers. Local administrations are hesitant to allocate funds toward new recycling technology due to the pressures of other expenses. The New York Times cites this and other reasons  in explaining why “Zero-Waste” policies are taking hold faster among private companies and businesses than among citizens and local communities. The success of private companies can pave the way to wide spread implications of the “zero-waste” policy. Cost-effective approaches are being developed to industrial composting and the production of items that are able to be composted, such as corn-starch utensils. The future of recycling trends can be found in a “zero-waste” mentality. Current statistics support the need for a more comprehensive trend and public opinion is catching up.

See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20trash.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=recycling&st=cse or http://www.zerowaste.org/ for more information.

5 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day March 29, 2010

April 22, 2010 is the fortieth anniversary of earth day! So what can you do to celebrate? Plant a tree? Pick up the gum wrapper you dropped two feet from front of the trash can? This earth day do more! Commit to simple habits that can make a huge impact.

1. Change a light

If every household in the United State replaced one regular lightbulb with one a compact fluorescent bulb, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. If the color of the light is holding you up put it somewhere less conspicuous. A closet or laundry room could be perfect.

2. Turn off your computer at night

As a college student, I am the worst offender of this one. After a late night studying turning off my computer is the last thing I’m thinking of. I’m ready to shut it and crawl into bed. If conserving energy doesn’t motivate you to hit the power button, here’s something to think about the next time you’re closing out Facebook before bed. By turning off your computer instead of leaving it in sleep mode, you can save 40 watt-hours per day. That adds up to 4 cents a day, or $14 per year.

3. Wash in Cold or Warm.

If all the households in the U.S. switched from hot-hot cycle to warm-cold, we could save the energy comparable to 100,000 barrels of oil a day. It only takes the turn of a knob. Besides this, try to avoid wimpy loads. Combine with a roommate or wait until you have a full load to wash.

4. Stop an excessive napkin grabber

By the end of that Big Mac it can get a little messy, but the 23 napkins you picked up on your way to the booth may still be a little much. Keep your burger wrapped up to avoid the special sauce running down your arm- whatever it takes to reduce your napkin use.  During an average year, an American uses approximately 2,200 napkins—around six each day. If everyone in the U.S. used one less napkin a day, more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year.

5. Brush to Your Favorite Song

Need a little background noise while you brush your teeth? It doesn’t have to be the water. Turn it off and party to your favorite song instead. You’ll conserve up to five gallons per day. Daily savings in the U.S. alone could add up to 1.5 billion gallons.

That doesn’t seem too bad. Celebrate the big day by making simple changes.

See http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html and http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/Recycling-FAQ.html for more recycling facts.

Recycling Batteries March 29, 2010

Recycling batteries can be a tricky one. It can be difficult to distinguish what type of battery can be recycled and where. With a few minutes of research, however, it’s easy to know what to do with your used batteries. Here’s a starter:

Why is it important to recycle batteries?

Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel.  If a battery is improperly disposed of these metals are released into the air in the incineration process. The released metals can also concentrate in the ash produced by the combustion process. Batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:

• Pollute lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned
• Heavy metals can sift into soil and groundwater from landfills
• Discharged metals and corrosive acids may cause burns or danger to eyes and skin

What types of batteries can we recycle?

Environment, Health and Safety Online provided a chart that summarizes information needed to recycle batteries. Example of uses and size available for each battery type are particularly helpful. If a location can’t be found below to properly dispose of rechargeable batteries, several businesses accept this battery waste. Take the rechargeable batteries to any of the participating retailers. In the U.S.: Alltel, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black & Decker, Cingular Wireless, The Home Depot, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Center, RadioShack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Wal-Mart. And in Canada: Battery Plus, Bell Mobility, Canadian Tire, FIDO/Microcell, Future Shop, The Home Depot, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Makita Factory Service Centers, Personal Edge/Centre du Rasoir, RadioShack Canada, Revy, Sasktel, Sears, The Sony Store, Telus Mobility and Zellers.

Recycling batteries can be simple. Contact your local authorities and encourage your community to make it even simpler by providing services and easy access to information. To begin battery collection at your place of business visit: http://www.provo.org/pubworks.recycling_information.html.

Battery Type	Common Name	Sizes Available	Examples of Use	Disposal classifi-cation	Proper Disposal
Alkaline ( manganese)	Coppertop, Alkaline	AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V	Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls	These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.	Place in the trash (normal municipal waste). Exceptions: California which  requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.
Button	Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Lithium, Alkaline, Zinc-Air	Sizes vary	Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls	hazardous waste	Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
Carbon Zinc	“Classic”, Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell	AAA, AA, C, D6V, 9V	Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, transistor radios, garage door openers	These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.	Place in the trash (normal municipal waste). Exceptions: California-requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Also, Minnesota (Hennipen County only) requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.
Lithium / Lithium Ion	Usually has “lithium” label on the battery	3V, 6V, 3V button	Cameras, calculators, computer memory back-up, tennis shoes	These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste	They can be recycled! Search local resources to find a center.
Nickel-Cadmium (Rechargeable)	Either unlabeled or labeled “Ni-Cd”	AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V	Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs	hazardous waste	Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable)	Either unlabeled or labeled “Ni-Li” or “Ni-Hydride)	AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V	Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs	non-hazardous waste – except in California, which requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.	Safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream.  These batteries are also acceptable for recycling by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC) Battery Recycling Program.
Reusable Alkaline Manganese (Rechargeable)	Renewal	AAA, AA, C, D	Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, radios, remote controls		Place in the trash
Sealed Lead Acid (Rechargeable)	“Gel,” VRB, AGM, Cyclone, El Power, Dynasty, Gates, Lithonia, Saft, Panasonic, Yuasa	Multiples of 2 Volts: 2V, 6V, 12V	Video cameras, power tools, wheelchairs, ATV’s, metal detectors, clocks, cameras	hazardous waste	Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
Lead Acid Vehicle Batteries	Autozone, Sears Die Hard, Yuasa	12V, 6V	Cars, trucks, motorcycles	hazardous waste	Take back to place of purchase Most places that sell car batteries will also accept them for recycling. There may be a fee for this service. A metal recycler may pay you for your car battery. Look in the yellow pages under “Recycling Centers” for a list of recyclers.
Silver Oxide	Panasonic Silver Oxide	Sizes vary	Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls	hazardous waste	Non-Consumers must dispose of these batteries in full compliance with the hazardous waste rules. Consumers are covered by the Household exemption under RCRA which allows for these batteries to be disposed of into the municipal waste stream.These batteries are also acceptable for recycling by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC) Battery Recycling Program.

Advocating Recycling Services in our Communities March 10, 2010

Caleb Warnock of the Daily Hearld reported last year on Utah County’s Recycling Trail in his article “Following Utah County’s Recycling Trail”. He quotes Brad Mertz director of the Recycling Coalition of Utah on how recycling has spread through public pressure in Utah Valley. Mertz said, “It usually takes a grass-roots effort as local community members go to their city council and say we want this service. I’m seeing a trend in a lot of city councils responding to that… We are moving toward a sustainable culture. People realize we need to be better stewards of the environment…”

There has been a growing trend toward recycling in Utah County, however there are still entire cities in Utah Valley that send all their trash to the landfill. These include Pleasant Grove, Salem, Santaquin and Eagle Mountain. In fact, only four cities in Utah Valley have Waste Management Recycling programs. Still, the numbers show progress. Lehi has become Waste Managements model city in Utah Valley. Lehi requires participation by all citizens, a decision brought about by public pressure for the betterment of the community. As a result, Lehi recycles 171 tons of trash monthly.

Lehi’s success is similar to many cities across the nation. The key to success in recycling efforts lies in the individual members of the community. Becoming involved takes small efforts and commitment. See the link below for a list of Recycling Advocacy Organizations by state.

www.recyclestuff.org/Guides/InfoResources3.pdf

Recylcing Relief March 10, 2010

According to ReCellular, 1 in 3 Americans will replace their cell phone this year. The modern ideal is to upgrade to the latest phone. The mobile communication industry thrives on cell phone upgrades. Mobile users count down the days to new every two upgrades.  At 19 I am on my third phone. Constant upgrades leave behind 500 million unused phones. This discarded material contains $630,00 of metal and enough copper to recover the statue of liberty twice. ReCellullar makes cell phone recycling easy. Prepaid shipping labels are all that is required to send your phone in.

If the environmental benefits of recycling don’t capture you’re interest donate your phone for relief. In light of the recent earth quake in Haiti, ReCellular announced its Phone for Haiti program. ReCellular will give 100% of its profits from donated phone to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in Haiti. According to ReCellular even a small percentage of phone could bring in near a million dollars. Other charities in partnership with ReCellular have already received more than $20 million. See Fox news for a video on Phone for Haiti and the ReCellular home page for more information on how to donate.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/help-haiti%3A-donate-your-old-cell-phone

http://www.recellular.com/recycling/

New Technology in Plastic Recycling March 10, 2010

The current, most-common plastic recycling processes involve heating recovered items and reforming the melted plastic into. The end product loses a degree of quality as it is difficult to maintain the purity of the substance. Science Daily reported that in 2003 researchers developed a two-part process to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This process is designed to maintain the integrity of the plastic. The aim is to convert waste polymer to the original state and remove impurities and contaminants. The process is conducted in a twin-screw extruder. The machine has a capacity to process great amount of polymer quickly. Carbon Dioxide and methanol are mixed and used to process the polymer. Methanol reduces the viscosity of the polymer and Carbon Dioxide caries away impurities. The Carbon Dioxide is recycled in the process. Research is currently being conducted on how to convert existing machinery to do this process.

Science Daily also reported in 2007 on research in ionic liquids and plastic recycling. Ionic solutions acts as powerful solvents. Ionic liquids have been used to depolymerize nylon-6 into it’s component compounds. Further research is currently being conducted.

These technologies are opening new fields particularly in ionic chemistry. More efficient recycling processes are on the horizon. We can do our part in the recycling process by becoming aware of new services and doing our part to advocate recycling.

See the full articles from Science Daily at:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070625092738.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030416085509.htm

Plastic Recycling March 10, 2010

A video by a group of students for a chemistry project. Their project highlights our indivdual responsibility to be activists for recycling in our communities. We can make the effort to spark simple changes that will bring about big results.

The American mentality is often to “throw it away”. I like how this video highlighted awareness. Our attitude towards responsibility for our waste  has caused detrimental problems to the environment. The reality of our decisions is becoming more difficult to escape. We need to develop a changed mentality and take responsibility for our waste. It’s a lot easier than it seems. It just takes a little effort to research centers for recycling. If it’s not offered in your community, make the change. Recycling is often tied to activism in global warming and other environmental debates. Whether you agree with global warming or not the heart of the matter is personal responsibility. The need for recycling is global and reaches beyond political agendas. It’s something we can all relate to and all have a hand in.

Their sources are:
“Britain’s Next Top Model Plastic Bag Fashion”, “Earth – Disney Nature Series – 2009 HD Movie Trailer”, “Inside the recycling process”, “Involve Your Family In Recycling”, “LDPE Washing System”, “Love Recycling”, “Plastic Bottles Project”, “Plastic Recycling in Bangladesh”, “PP,PE Film Recycling line”, “PVC Lable Scrapping Machine for PET Bottle Recycling”, “Recovered Plastic”, “Recycle Plastic Bags”, “Rocko’s Modern Life R-E-C-Y-C-L-E”, “The Lion King Intro”, “Waste Plastic Film Recycling Line”, “What Happens to Mixed Recycling”

The original video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-wq9ZCQp4U

The users homepage can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/sheimaginespeace

Paper Recylcing Process March 9, 2010

Our part:

The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works reported that 38.2 percent of the United States total waste is from paper and paperboard. Paper recycling drop off locations have become increasingly popular making it easier to reduce this growing statistic. Grocery stores, offices and schools among many other sites offer collection boxes for recycled paper. Most communities provide curbside services as well. Our individual efforts lie in transporting used paper items to a location where they will be recycled or in ensuring that there are drop off locations and services that accept paper items in our community.

1. Sorting

Once paper is collected from a source it is taken to a recycling center where it is sorted, bailed and shipped to a paper mill. Recycling Centers vary in sorting processes depending on their capacity to recycle. Most centers sort paper into the following categories: white office paper, colored paper, corrugated cardboard and newspaper.

2. Pulping

Once the recovered items reaches the paper mill it is re-processed in a large vat called a pulper. The pulper works similar to a blender. The recovered items are mixed with a chemical-water solution and chopped into small pieces creating a pulpy substance. The pulp is then screened to remove impurities such as glue.

3. Cleaning

Another purifying process takes place after as the screened pulp is spun in large cylinders. Heavy contaminants such as staples fall to the outside and smaller contaminants to the center.

4. De-inking

De-inking is often a two-part process. Small ink particles are removed with water through a washing process. Large ink particles are removed with air bubbles and surfactants through a process call flotation. In this process pulp is fed into a large vat called a flotation cell. The surfactants removes the contaminants from the pulp and the contaminants rise with the air bubbles. The inky foam that rises is removed, leaving clean pulp inside the vat.

Following the de-inking process the pulp is beaten to make the fibers swell and to separate clumped fibers. The paper may also be bleached or color stripped depending on the type of paper.

5. Draining

The clean and prepared pulp finally is prepared for the paper-making process. The paper is mixed with 99.5% water and sent through a headbox. The mixture is sprayed through the head box in a continuous jet onto a wire screen. The mixture drains on the screen as the recycled fibers bond creating a sheet.

6. Drying

The sheet is pressed and heated first by felt-covered press rollers and then by metal rollers. The dried paper is rolled and distributed to be made into new products.

7. End Product

So what is your contribution by dropping off your used paper? You have:

• Reduced the consumption of energy (Manufacturing new paper requires more energy than the recycling process)
• Reduced the consumption of rain forests
• Reduced the amount of paper waste going to landfills
• Reduced the emission of gasses like methane into the atmosphere that are given off as paper degrades

See http://www.uoregon.edu/~recycle/after_collection.html for more information on the recycling process.