For years we heard recycle, reduce, reuse to help limit waste, save resources and foster sustainability. Is this approach working?
Consumers are making a concious effort to reduce the amount of paper that finds it way to the landfill and the amount of virgin trees used for new stock. They are assisted by digital media, recycling and post consumer mandates.
Digital media is helping reduce the amount of paper consumed before it enters our homes and businesses. Efforts to limit printing and paper in offices have resulted in less waste and helped reduce expenses
Americans recycled 63.4% of their paper consumed in 2009 compared to 45.4% in 2000 and this number is increasing each year. Education efforts and availability of recycling programs have contributed to this rise.
Mandates for developing more green materials have led to changes in the manufacturing of paperboard cartons like cereal and pasta. Most boxes clearly say 100% recycled paperboard while nearly all manufacturers are using 35% recycled content in their boxes. That is 35% more paper out of the waste stream.
And it is helping. According to the EPA, we produced 87.7 million tons of paper-based trash in 2000, comprising 36.4% of our total municipal solid waste stream. In 2009, the number dropped to 68.43 million tons—a decline of 21%.
Your efforts clearly are making a difference so keep recycling, reducing and reusing. Keep going!
