SECTION 2 – REDUCING SOLID WASTE CHAPTER 19 WASTE

CONSUMER POWER If we use less, there will be less waste. Reusing Materials Control manufacturers by what you buy: Buy products that can be reused (rechargeable batteries, dish towels instead of paper towels) This encourages manufacturers to make more of these items.

REDUCING WASTE Manufacturers could help out a lot by what they produce! Can reduce waste and conserve resources by redesigning products to use less materials. Can also design products to last longer and be easily repaired.

RECOVERING RESOURCES Recycling is the process of reusing materials or recovering valuable materials from waste or scrap. Making products from recycled material saves: Energy, water, and other raw resources Uses 95% less energy to make recycled aluminum Uses 70% less energy to make recycle paper.

RECYCLING: A SERIES OF STEPS 1.Collect recyclable items 2.Sorting materials into like kinds 3.Cleaning and preparing materials Exs: glass is sorted and crushed Paper is made into pulp with water 4.Raw materials are made into new products.

COMPOSTING Think of composting as recycling organic material. Yard waste, fruit, and vegetable trimmings are biodegradable and can go in a compost pile Meat scraps and animal waste are not recommended. After decomposition, the resulting dark brown, crumbly material is called compost. Compost is rich in nutrients and has plenty of good uses.

CHANGING MATERIALS WE USE Degradable Plastics Photodegradable Plastics Plastic that becomes weak and brittle if in the Sun too long. Green Plastics are made from living things. Use 20-50% less fossil fuels in production. Engineered to degrade quickly.

PROBLEMS WITH DEGRADABLE PLASTICS Still contain plastics They break into smaller pieces and some do have biodegradable parts, but there is still plastic laying around.