Abstract The author of the paper examines recycling efforts and new recycling technologies in the United States with particular emphasis on how the printed media - newspapers and journals - cover the subject. The author makes the point that whilst recycling in the US is not new, there is a need for more information to be made available to the public. He goes on to discuss a number of new technologies that received coverage in well known publications and discusses how this benefits the spread of public awareness in matters relating to recycling. The technologies discussed include the following: environmentally friendly plastic recycling plants, recycling of fluorescent lights and the use of coconut husks to produce packaging materials.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature review
Works Cited
Outline
From the Paper "Recycling isn't a new concept in the U.S.; there are people and organizations that have been recycling newspapers, aluminum, steel and other materials for decades. But with the advent of the green revolution, and with corporate American now competing to see which company can seem the greenest to that captive and willing consumer audience out there, recycling has turned a page and is now very much in vogue. Recycling used to be something that hippies, nerds, eco-activists and a few progressive people did because it was the right thing to do. But now it is becoming middle America friendly. And as more cities follow the lead of San Francisco - which had banned the use of plastic bags in grocery and retail stores - the citizens of the U.S. will of necessity become more and more conscious of the need to reuse and conserve, as part of the bigger issue, dramatic climate change and its ramifications for the planet. The thesis is: there needs to be a massive and believable public service campaign so that people can become far more well-informed about all things "green" and about "recycling" than they are today."
Tags:recycling environment plastic water education newspapers communication media, public awareness, education, United States
Abstract This paper takes a look at the benefits and requirements of recycling. The author argues that recycling is a necessity for the preservation of resources. The paper include an analysis of recycling in different countries and the advantages that are provided.
From the Paper "For almost 30 years the United States has been actively recycling. We recycle 27 percent of our solid waste. A figure doubling the effort made in 1988. The space we have here on earth is unvarying. The earth will never get larger and the air we breathe is not going to become unnecessary anytime soon. For the sake of our grand children we must preserve our resources. We can no longer ignore the voice telling us to find a special bin for that soda can. The only thing we can hope for is that the World will all participate as one. Recycling is a lifestyle and many may need to change so we can all reap its benefits. Recycling is vital to the future. It will insure that our great grandchildren have an earth that is inhabitable."
Abstract This paper advocates the practice of recycling as it helps to conserve resources for future generations and to reduce the consumption of natural resources. The author discusses the environmental, financial, economic and social benefits of recycling materials such as plastics, glass, paper, and metal, as well as recycling in the computer industry. The paper also gives a short history on the growing success of recycling in the United States.
From the Paper "In the computer industry, recycling has become a very important concern. Some computer parts can be reused for their original purpose. For example, monitor tubes often work longer than the electronics that drive them. So by hooking up the tube to a television electronics board, a cheaper and more durable TV is created. Plastics are separated into soft and hard. Soft plastics are then melted and reshaped into new products. Hard plastics are ground into small pieces and mixed into new materials. Completing the zero landfill process, all metals are stripped out and resold."
Abstract This paper uses the second law of thermodynamics to explain why a properly designed source-separation recycling program takes less energy and produces less pollution than a centralized program that collects mixed waste over a large area and hauls it to a centralized facility where workers or machinery separates the waste for recycling.
From the Paper "Waste is an unavoidable consequence of our consumer oriented, highly industrialized society. In 2000, Canadians generated 1021 kg of non-hazardous waste per capita (Statistics Canada, 2002). 747kg of this waste were disposed of per capita (Statistics Canada, 2002), while the rest was recycled. Torontonians for example recycled 699 tonnes of household waste in 2001 (Ministry of Environment, 2004). Household waste generation was 353kg per capita in 2000 (Statistics Canada, 2002). The situation is similar in most developing countries although the levels of recycling vary. Growing concern for the environment, constant increase in the amounts of waste produced, economic, land and social costs involved in developing new landfill sites and public opinion have brought about the need to approach waste management in a broader context. "
Abstract This paper examines three issues which would assist in the recycling process. The first suggestion is that all beverage containers be re-usable, the second suggests that all household and businesses sort their garbage into separate containers; and the third issue suggests that consumers pay for plastic bags at the supermarket. The advantages of each of these issues are discussed.
From the Paper "There are a multitude of benefits to be gained from requiring that all beverage containers be reusable. First, refillable or reusable beverage containers greatly reduce our impact on the environment without extra cost. As long as they achieve a certain number of refills or 'trips' (i.e., generally around 10) to at least overcome the impact of their initial production, refillables reduce waste, minimize the use of materials and energy, and reduce pollution and litter. This is because the overall impact of a container is shared amongst each of its many refills."
Abstract The paper explores the problem of recycling computers in business. The paper includes alternatives and a recommendation that they should be donated to charity. The paper also incorporates statistics on the scope of computer waste and studies the global implications of the problem.
From the Paper "Trash is a problem that confronts everyone, whether in a personal or a commercial setting. Landfills are becoming filled and the media occasionally focuses on trash barges that are unable to find someplace to offload their cargo. For many companies the issue of trash is one that they have handled aggressively. Many companies recycle paper and other consumables and may even recycle office furniture. Computers pose their own set of problems when it comes to obsolescence, however."
Abstract In this essay the writer discusses that waste and its disposal are acute problems throughout the world. The writer notes that the disposal of waste provides a great environmental problem around the world. The writer looks at the use of recycling as a possible solution to the problem.
From the Paper "Waste disposal presents a big environmental problem that is universal to all nations of the world. Canada is no exception. Ontario for example has to export its waste across the border. There is no single solution to the problem and it is unlikely that our modern, industrialized society will in any near future become waste-free, as waste is an unavoidable consequence of our consumer oriented, highly industrialized society. In 2000, Canadians generated 1021 kg of non-hazardous waste per capita."
Abstract This paper explains that recycling has been around for centuries, although only recently has the modern age made efforts to promote its benefits as a crucial element of a system meant to preserve the environment. The author points out that recycling not only decreases the amount of waste in landfills and incineration plants, but also, by reusing aluminum, paper, glass, plastics, and other materials, virgin materials, as well as production and energy costs can be saved. The paper relates that the United States is not the only country currently involved in recycling programs and describes programs in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the global recycling organization know as BIR.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Centuries of Recycling Increasing Waste
Returning to Basics
Important Facts about Recycling Facts about Paper Recycling Benefits of Recycling Myths about Recycling Those against Recycling Recent Declines
Problems in Germany
Recycling around the World
Conclusion
From the Paper "The world has seen an increase in waste production over the past century due to increased population and technologic advances. The "average" American discards seven and a half pounds of garbage every day, and this garbage, the solid waste stream, goes mostly to landfills, where it is compacted and buried. As the waste stream continues to grow, so will the pressures on our landfills, our resources and our environment."
Abstract This paper explores the following hypothesis: "Recycling of paper and cardboard yields contemporary and future benefits worth salvaging efforts." Recycling strategies employed by prominent recycling proponents, such as Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Nebraska are explored, while other recycling components, including details of the process are expounded. Complimentary as well as contrary reasons to recycle paper and cardboard are also evaluated. In conjunction with an extensive review of pertinent literature, along with researched garnered from Web resources, determinations are made regarding the hypothesis for this thesis. The ultimate determination, while agreeing with and confirming that benefits from recycling paper and cardboard are worth salvaging efforts, encourages ongoing studies regarding this subject.
Outline:
Introduction: Waste Not
Recycling Rationale
Looping Through the Loop
Recycling Facts
Processing "Proof"
Conclusion
The New End
Bibliography
From the Paper "In addition to saving the cost of sending mounds of cardboard to a landfill, which would include hauling and landfill fees, BryanLGH receives fair market price for the cardboard bales. BryanLGH also collects mounds of used paper and shreds the mass to be picked up for recycling by Robert Recycling, another positive environmental practice that cuts costs and brings in funds, as this effort complies with HIPAA (American Health Insurance portability and Accountability Act). (Prenosil, 2006)."
Abstract This paper discusses how, as a nation, America is beginning to realize that it is not dealing with its wastage responsibly and sufficiently and how the best and possibly only solution to this problem is to promote more and better recycling procedures. It analyzes how recycling is so important to the long-term well-being of the nation that it should in fact be made mandatory; individuals, businesses and government should all be required by law to recycle. It examines the three basic arguments regarding the necessity of recycling. The first is the issue of landfill space. The second is the issue of overall saved energy and resource. The last deals with the degree to which recycling reduces pollution. It also looks at the many objections to mandatory recycling, such as the feeling that this sort of mandate intrudes on personal conviction and freedoms and that recycling suffers from a negative cost-benefit analysis.
From the Paper "Is not the government, though, dictating an awful lot of work for individuals? They must sort their own recyclables, clean them for pick-up, and so forth. Oughtn"t they have freedom from that" Yet liberty has never been defined as freedom from a little bit of work. After all, we currently make people carry their own trash from inside the house out to the curb. We currently require that they bag it themselves as well. Trash collectors will not haul away one's trash if one leaves it unbagged on the front steps, and this is not seen as an affront to the liberties and self-determination of those who take affront at the inconvenience of picking up their own yards. In the same way, it is legitimate for a state-offered service of trash removal to require that all trash be presented for removal in an appropriate fashion. If that fashion comes to mean the segregation of various sorts of disposables, that is as acceptable as requiring that leaves be bagged separately from household garbage in the fall."
Abstract This paper takes the position that the United States government should impose mandatory recycling laws. A two-pronged legislative law which would make recycling mandatory on a national level is proposed. First, it is suggested that companies and manufacturers should be required to use as much recyclable materials for their products as possible. Second, the paper suggests that consumers should be required to separate recyclable material from their regular garbage and then cities should be responsible for creating local recycling programs to take charge of this recyclable material.
From the Paper "Mandatory recycling programs will also help decrease pollution levels all over the country. The case of Japan illustrates the beneficial effects of strict national recycling laws. In 1995, the Japanese government instituted the Containers and Packaging Recycling law, which first defined recyclable products. The law then mandated that businesses should either recycle their packaging materials, either through their own plants or by paying a "recycling fee" to the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association, a government-designated organization (JCPRA)."
Abstract This paper relates that recycling has been accepted in every major city as a way of enabling people to actively participate in increasing environmental sustainability and in reducing waste. The author points out that the idea behind recycling is to reduce the amount of waste to be dealt with through burning or landfill, as well as the amount of energy needed to produce goods to replace what is wasted. The paper also looks at the argument put forth by critics of recycling, which states that recycling may be more of a "feel-good" matter than a program achieving real value and the argument of supporters of recycling who see a value even if recycling does not solve all environmental problems.
From the Paper "A concern is that the EPA will not do a real job of oversight when an administration, such as the current Republican administration, does not want the recycling program to work or be found to work so that a different set of criteria are used in judging the system. Administrators can always change the criteria so as to make a program seem to be failing, and people will believe that the program has actually diminished in effectiveness because they think the same criteria are used now as were used last year."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of recycling in the United States. The writer explores the problems associated with recycling and then details some of the benefits of recycling to the environment and to individuals. The paper concludes with a proposal that for the good of the environment, recycling is something that should be implemented world wide.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Is It?
Benefits
Problems
From the Paper "There are many benefits to the act of recycling. The first benefit of course is the benefit to the environment. Recycling allows products to be used over and over again instead of throwing them away. In addition it helps to preserve the earth's most precious commodities, which include space, trees, air and water. If the world continues to destroy these resources there will come a time in which mankind is in a serious threat of extinction because of the ripple impact it will have. If recycling is ignored and resources continue to be used and destroyed without any effort to recycle what the world is already seeing will grow in magnitude. Animal, plant and water life will be so severely impacted that there will be no turning back, no way to fix the problem and mankind could well face extinction."
Abstract This paper asserts that recycling should be mandatory by law to conserve energy and natural resources and to reduce pollution. The author relates the problems associated with landfills and contends that recycling centers do not have the same problems. For example, if less waste was put in landfills and recycling was mandatory, there would be less worry about water contamination. The paper concludes that the United States government needs to follow Europe's leadership in mandatory recycling to solve the waste problem.
From the Paper "Another point of view may be that recycling cannot stop air pollution, because most air pollution is caused by fossil fuels. The thing to remember is that the waste in an incinerator is not going to easily burn itself. When those fumes are released into the sky the possibility of acid rain becomes higher. Some people may argue that laws have been put in place to reduce the possibility of the methane gas and leachate becoming a problem. This is a valid point because many laws have been created to make landfills "environmentally friendlier." "
Abstract Recycling is far more than a local waste management strategy; it is also an important strategy for reducing the environmental impacts of industrial production. The paper studies the history of waste management and recycling and shows how it has improved over the years. The paper discusses how the U.S. government handles recycling on a national basis and the way these measures affect the natural environment.
From the Paper "Today in the United States, more than 150 million tons of solid wastes are generated every year. This amounts to more than 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) per person per day. In metropolitan areas, the daily production of solid waste is usually higher. Residents of New York City, for example, discard 26,000 tons of solid waste daily--almost 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms) for each resident (Compton, 2000). Due to this high amount of waste, recycling has become a major part of environmental policy, largely due to the increased costs of solid- and hazardous-waste disposal, the scarcity of natural resources, and the growing concern over polluted land, water, and air."
