In 1991, the Great Wall of China became the second largest man-made structure in the world. The largest was the Fresh Kills Landfill, serving New York City. It is now the highest point on the east coast.
\nAmericans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every HOUR! (Now you know how Fresh Kills outstripped the Great Wall.)
\nFor every glass bottle recycled, we save enough energy to light a 100 watt light bulb for four hours. (That makes us just about even in our household.)
\nOne pound of recycled steel saves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for 24 hours.
\nRecycling and reusing the material in “tin” cans reduces energy use by 74%, air pollution by 85%, solid waste by 95%, and water pollution by 76%.<\/p>\n
\nIt takes 75,000 trees each week to produce the Sunday edition of the New York Times.
\nIf Americans recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save 25 million trees a year.
\nThe average American uses 580 pounds of paper each year. As a nation, we consume 850 million trees annually.
\nWe are a recycling family. Each week we have one can of garbage and two to five bins of recyclables. We recycle every newspaper, magazine, catalog, phone book and cardboard box that comes into the house. Grocery bags and dry cleaner bags are returned to the grocery store. We recycle glass, aluminum, several grades of plastic, and chipboard. Some of what we can’t recycle we use in compost. I’m looking into using shredded paper as an element in compost, or as an under layer for mulch.
\nUse it up, wear it out. Make it do or do without. I’m doing my part. Won’t you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 1991, the Great Wall of China became the second largest man-made structure in the world. The largest was the Fresh Kills Landfill, serving New York City. It is now the highest point on the east coast. Americans throw away … Continue reading