ReduceReuse Recycl e TRASH Who is responsible? What are we going to do with all of it? What is the answer?

Who makes the trash? In 1960, an average American generated 2.7 pounds per day of trash. Today, we now create 4.3 pounds per day. This results in about 243 million tons of waste generated in the US in

I’m not making 4.3 pounds of trash. Not me! Do you: Drink from paper or styrofoam cups? Cook from home using food wrapped in plastics or boxes? Eat from fast food – wrappers, containers, straws, paper bags? Use paper towels? Print documents? Write on paper? It all adds up!

What Is Trash? Trash, also known as MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) is defined as items we use and then throw away, such as: Product packaging Grass clippings Furniture Clothing, bottles Food scraps Newspapers Appliances Paint Batteries When we throw out the trash, where is out ?

Where is OUT? The Landfill! If you live in Flower Mound, our trash is buried at the Camelot Landfill.

What happens to material in a landfill? In nature, everything is recycled and is retained within a cycle. In landfills, the trash is not broken down to be reused; it is just hidden from sight. Energy from the sun, moisture, and oxygen does not reach the trash in a landfill and therefore, it does not degrade or break down easily. The EPA says that landfills should be our last resort, not our first plan of dealing with trash. Sun Rain Oxygen

Take A Guess! How much time is required to decompose material in a landfill? Paper? Plastic? Banana peel? Aluminum can? Plastic jug? Styrofoam cup? Glass bottles? SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? 2.5 months 450 years 3-4 weeks years One million years Unknown! Forever?

ReduceReuse Recycl e

What can I do? REDUCE! 55% of the trash we throw away ends up in a landfill. I can: Use environmentally friendly packaging. Purchase products that are in refillable or reusable containers Purchase in bulk containers No waste lunch. Avoid plastic bags for groceries. Bring your own bags. Recycling just one out of every ten plastic bottles can keep 200 million pounds of the plastic out of landfills every year Write or print on both sides of paper Go Electronic for sending memos Feed yourself, not the trash! More ideas?

What can I do? REUSE! I can: Donate used clothing, appliances, and furniture to local charities Reconsider buying “new.” Buy used. Refill plastic water or drink containers. Remember - the landfill should be our last resort for disposing of waste.

What can I do? RECYCLE! Obtain recycle containers from Flower Mound Town Hall at 2121 CrossTimbers. Recycling paper instead of making it from new material generates 74 percent less air pollution and uses 50 percent less water. (EPA, 2008) Compost vegetative food scraps and lawn clippings, and return the nutrients to the soil Kitchen waste, yard waste, car tires, and batteries (all types) are NOT ACCEPTABLE for recycling. These can be recycled in other ways – check website. You will be surprised at the number of items that can be recycled!

Where do our recyclables go? If you live in Flower Mound, our recyclable material is processed at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Plano, Texas. They can process up to 6,000 tons per month.

Are We Successful Recyclers? Over the last few decades, the generation, recycling, composting, and disposal of MSW have improved The recycling rate has increased—from less than 10% of MSW generated in 1980 to almost 34% in 2009 Disposal of waste to a landfill has decreased from 89% of the amount generated in 1980 to about 54% of MSW in

Can We Improve? Yes! Review: Reduce material by using washable containers Reduce food in trash by composting outdoors and indoors Reuse by donating to organizations such as CCA or Recycle through the weekly trash pickup Visit KFMB website for specific recycling events or an EXTENSIVE list of recyclers

Composting 101 Composting is recycling the way nature intended.

Composting 101 National Composting Council estimates the average U.S. household generates 650 lb of compostables every year. Landfill space should be used for material that cannot be reused or recycled. Divert foods away from the landfill by composting: Vegetative food scraps Coffee grounds – free giveaways from your local coffee shop Egg shells Lawn clippings

Composting 101 Composting speeds up the natural decay process by providing and managing the required factors: Moisture Oxygen Food Temperature

Composting 101 What do I need to make a compost pile? Food – your scraps, leaves, manure, sawdust, hair, coffee ground, etc ! Microbes - primarily bacteria, fungi, andinvertebrates that normally live in the soil Moisture Oxygen Warmth Take A Guess! How many microbes are in a handful of good soil? 1 X That’s Trillions!

Composting 101 Composting requires the use of materials in preferred ratios: Carbons The brown material – leaves, paper, straw, newspaper, dryer lint.Nitrogens The green material – food scraps, grass clippings, manure from herbivores.

Composting 101 Carbon:NitrogenRatio Food wastes15:1 Sawdust, wood, paper400:1 Straw80:1 Grass clippings15:1 Fruit wastes35:1 Rotted manures20:1 In nature, the carbon to nitrogen ratio is around 30:1 You can imitate nature by mixing the following ratios: “ Information courtesy of “Ohio State University Extension."

Composting 101 Any ratio less than 15:1 is considered a nitrogen. The compost pile should be built in alternating layers to a size of at least 3 feet X 3 feet. You should water liberally during construction.

Successful Composting 101 Your pile should become hot, 140°, within a few days. The microbes are working and will require more oxygen. Turn the pile with a pitch fork when the temperature cools and add moisture if needed

Successful Composting 101 If you turn your pile frequently, you should have rich compost within two – three months. When it’s ready to use, compost has a crumbly texture and a rich, earthy smell.

Successful Composting 101 Keep Flower Mound Beautiful offers composting classes. Check our website at for dates and times.