1. Mothers of Stone Mountain, GA:
How Can We Recycle Our Way to Better Health?
Erika N. Copeland
Walden University Doctoral Student
PUBH Environmental Health
Instructor: Dr. Raymond Thron
February 7, 2010

2. Purpose of the Presentation
The purpose of this presentation is to increase your knowledge of the benefits of recycling and to motivate you and others to start or enhance a recycling program in your community if one does not exist while increasing the knowledge of Its environmental health factors

3. What is Recycling?
Recycling is the process of turning materials that would otherwise be thrown away as waste or garbage into valuable resources
Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010 from

4. Learning Objectives What is recycling?
Why is recycling important to the environment and the community?
Effective ways of recycling
What can you do to get involved?
Where do I get more information?

5. Why Recycle? Save money Save energy Reduce pollution Protect wildlife
Preserve Natural resources
Helps sustain the environment for future generations
The average citizen produces 7 pounds of garbage on a daily basis. Georgia residents produce 12.7 million pounds of waste each year alone. This garbage ends up in landfills and litters the earth. Millions of dollars are spent on litter collection efforts and on materials that could be recycled.
Reference: Conserve Georgia. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
EPA (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010

6. Health Problems From Improper Waste Disposal
Headache
Minor skin irritation
Breathing problems
Allergic reactions
Asthma
Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.

7. Ill Effects of Improper Waste Disposal
Park lakes and streams can be contaminated by:
Trash
Oil
Antifreeze
Refrigerants
Drugs
Healthcare waste

8. Improper Healthcare Waste Disposal
Healthcare waste from
hospitals
clinics
laboratories
blood banks
homes of ill/diseased patients
is a by-product of
sharps (hazardous waste receptacles)
non-sharps
blood
body parts
chemicals
pharmaceuticals
medical devices
radioactive materials

9. Improper Healthcare Waste Disposal
Affects
healthcare workers
waste handlers
the community
Each are at an increased risk of being exposed to and infected by hazardous materials and chemicals.
Soils and underground waters are contaminated by the improper disposal of HCW

10. Dangerous Cleaning Supplies
Moth balls and flakes
Furniture or floor polish
Rug cleaners
Household cleansers
Spot removers
Metal polish

11. Dangerous Household Supplies
Aerosol cans
Lighter fluid
Batteries
Butane lighters
Pet shampoo
Chemotherapy drugs
Shampoo for lice
Flea powder
Shoe dye and polish

12. Safe Substitutes for Toxic Cleansers
Vinegar and salt instead of heavy-duty cleaners for surfaces
One-half cup of white vinegar followed by one handful of baking soda instead of drain cleaners
Biodegradable cleaners instead of harsh oven cleaners
One teaspoon of olive oil mixed with juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of water instead of furniture polish
Opening the windows or setting out an open box of baking soda instead of using air fresheners
Natural biodegradable cleaners

13. Items We Need To Recycle
Paper
Glass
Metal
Plastic
EPA (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010

14. Additional Items That Can Be Recycled
Cardboard
Appliances
Beverage Containers
Glass, plastic, or aluminum
Newspapers
White paper
Rubber tires

15. Facts About Recycling Paper
The average American uses seven trees a year in products made from trees totaling about 2,000,000,000 trees per year
The amount of wood and paper thrown away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years
Each ton (2000 pounds) of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water
This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60 pounds less of air pollution
Recycling Revolution. ( ). Recycling Facts. Retrieved on January 29, 2010 from

16. Facts About Recycling Glass
The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can run a 100-watt light bulb for four hours
Recycling causes 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution than when a new bottle is made from raw materials.
A modern glass bottle would take 4000 years or more to decompose -- and even longer if it's in the landfill
Recycling Revolution. ( ). Recycling Facts. Retrieved on January 29, 2010 from

17. Facts About Recycling Metal
A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours
An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now
We use over 80,000,000,000 aluminum soda cans every year
There is no limit to the amount of times an aluminum can be recycled
In one year in the United States, the recycling of steel saves enough energy to heat and light 18,000,000 homes
Recycling Revolution. ( ). Recycling Facts. Retrieved on January 29, 2010 from

18. Facts About Recycling Plastic
Americans use 2,500,000 plastic bottles every hour
Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures every year
Americans throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups every year
Recycling Revolution. ( ). Recycling Facts. Retrieved on January 29, 2010 from

19. Monetary Value of Discarded Recyclable Materials
1.9 million tons of paper a year
Worth $177 million
1.0 million tons of plastic
Worth $30 million
360,000 tons of metal
Worth $89 million
240,000 tons of glass

20. Financial Benefits of Recycling
If 1.7 million tons of aluminum, paper, glass, and plastic were not thrown away annually:
Conserve 4% of the total energy consumed annually within the state
Conserve over 7 million barrels of oil equating to an annual savings of almost $700 million.
Representation of over a billion dollars a year in potential market value in Georgia

21. Ways to Decrease Waste - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Only purchase the amounts that are needed
Donate excess food to food banks, soup kitchens and shelters
Recycle food scraps into soil compost
Buy products that are reusable and refillable
Use a sponge or washcloth instead of disposable paper towels
Donate used and unwanted items to charity
Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Reducing and Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010 from
Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.

22. Steps to Successful Recycling
Collection
Curbside disposal, Drop-off sites, Buy-back centers
Processing
Facility for sorting and preparation
Manufacturing
Cleaning, separating, and product manufacturing
Purchasing of Recycled Products
Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010 from
EPA (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010

23. Building a “Green” Culture of Recycling
Builds healthy communities
Decreases contamination of park lakes and streams
Parks and increased green space
Beautifies landscapes
Improves population health
Decreases vehicle use and air pollution
Promotes physical activity, decreasing disease
Increase social interaction, improving mental health
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2008). Three R's of Going Green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from

24. For More Information
Environmental Protection Agency. (2009).Recycling Publications by Topic.
Georgia Recycling Centers Directory.
Keep Georgia Beautiful.
Recycle Atlanta.
Recycle City.

25. References
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2008). Three R's of Going Green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
Conserve Georgia (2010). Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2009). Food Waste Reduction. Retrieved on January 20, 2010 from
Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Recyce city. Retrieved on February 7, 2010 from
Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Recycling. Retrieved on January 20, 2010 from

26. References cont.
Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.
Recycling does make a difference (2010). Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
Recycling Revolution. ( ). Recycling Facts. Retrieved on January 29, 2010 from
World Health Organization (WHO) (2005). Retrieved on January 18, 2010 from

27. Thank You! Faculty and Staff Participating Youth Participating Parents
DeKalb County, GA PTSA