What Happens To My Trash?
This story is part of the Curious Cbus project. You ask the questions, you vote on one of the questions, and we answer. To ask your question, visit wosu.org/curious. The first question came from Jon Hsu:
Listen Listening…3:58
A city garbage truck prowls through a Clintonville alley. The driver stops amid blue and green trash containers and picks up the green ones using the truck’s mechanical arm. He empties those 90-gallon containers into his truck.
A few blocks away, a two-man crew lifts an outdated, giant-screen TV from the curb and throws it into the back of their truck where it’s crushed.
The Landfill
The trash in the two trucks is headed to the SWACO landfill near Grove City. About 500 trucks carry trash collected from all over Franklin County through the landfill’s gates 5 days a week. They head to the top of an ever-rising mountain of refuse and each day leave 4,200 tons of trash behind.
Shilo Pletcher is the landfill’s supervisor.
Hauling waste up to the SWACO landfill’s “working face”
CREDIT THOMAS BRADLEY / 89.7 NPR NEWS
“Roughly 500 trucks a day … 4,000 tons a day. We’re sitting on 180 acres,” Pletcher says.
That’s a million tons of trash buried at the landfill every year. Less than half of the trash that’s buried here comes from residential customers; the majority comes from commercial users.
SWACO says the landfill has more than two decades of capacity left. But it would last longer, they say, if more people recycled.
CREDIT THOMAS BRADLEY / 89.7 NPR NEWS
“Anywhere from 60- to 70 percent of the trash that comes into the landfill could be repurposed, reused, recycled.”
SWACO Executive Director Ty Marsh.
“Not only would that be better for extending the life of the landfill and for environmental purposes but there’s also economic value in doing that,” Marsh says.
The Recycling Center
That’s where those blue containers come in. They hold recyclable trash that’s picked up by the Rumpke Co., every other week. Crews take the refuse to the company’s sorting facility near the state fairgrounds. Rumpke spokeswoman Taylor Greely guides me through the building.
CREDIT SAM HENDREN / 89.7 NPR NEWS
“The area we’re in right now is the sorting and separating phase of this process,” Greely says.
In the early days of recycling, residents had to separate items themselves before disposal. Now it’s done by Rumpke at their Fields Ave. facility.
“We’re using stuff like infrared light; 2500 feet of interconnected conveyor belt; large industrial magnets and then once we have all those items back into their individual categories then we’ll bale them into bales and we’ll ship them off to regional manufacturers where they’ll be turned back into new products,” Greely says.
As much as 80,000 pounds of material is sorted per hour. All sorts of cans, plastic bottles, glass containers, cardboard cartons and paper fly by on high speed conveyors and eventually end up at the baler. What can’t be recycled – plastic bags and videotape, for instance – is pulled out and sent to the landfill.
The troubling truth, however: Columbus residents recycle on a very small portion of their trash. Just 42,000 tons were recycled in 2015; a million tons were buried.
“So with your automatic sorting here there’s no excuse for people not to recycle, is there?”
“I agree. It’s very simple to recycle. We have curbside recycling and the materials are being sorted and separated and put back to use right close to home,” Greely says.
And that’s what happens to your trash.
The post What Happens To My Trash? appeared first on AW Sites.
Stay Green When Planning Your Move With These Recycling Tips
Whether you’re headed to a new home or a new office, moving can have a big impact on the environment. After all, vast quantities of packing materials and boxes are used to transport your belongings from point A to point B, and much of those materials end up in landfills. Similarly, as you go through your belongings and decide what not to keep, you may end up discarding more than you thought. The good news is that there are ways to recycle your materials, minimize the impact of your move, and make sure your exciting transition is positive for both you and the environment! Here are some tips to consider.
1.Rethink cardboard boxes. Buying cardboard boxes is expensive and damaging to the environment. You may be able to rent plastic bins for moving, or else find cardboard boxes for free at local supermarkets or “big box” stores. Reusing old cardboard boxes is certainly better than buying new. Either way, be sure to recycle or repurpose the boxes after your move is complete.
2.You may already have packing materials! Sure, you could buy packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and other expensive materials that you’ll end up throwing away. But old towels, shirts, blankets, and newspaper will also do the trick of protecting your belongings during a move.
3.Donate unwanted items. When packing for a move, it’s common to find items that are simply not worth the trouble of transporting. But one person’s trash is another’s treasure, so consider donating unwanted belongings to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army. That’s better than seeing your old stuff end up in a landfill!
4.Consider a paper-shredding service. Some old documents and files just aren’t worth taking with you, especially if you have digital backups. This is particularly true for businesses. If you have file cabinets full of paper, consider a shredding service to securely shred and recycle your old documents.
5.Find a green mover. Not all movers are as conscientious about the environment as you are, so shop around to find a moving company with earth-friendly practices. Green movers may use fuel-efficient trucks, reusable furniture wraps, and plastic crates for transporting goods. You’ll feel good about your move, and you could even save money!
6.Choose the right waste management company. Businesses and even home owners on the move may be able to choose their waste management company. If so, you have the chance to find a company that cares about the environment as much as you do! When evaluating a waste management company, consider factors like cost, pick-up days, options such as recycling and yard waste pickup, and most importantly, a great reputation.
Whether you’re moving your home or office, you have the opportunity to plan a green move to be proud of. You can be sure Arwood Waste will do our part as your waste management company to ensure your unwanted materials are recycled with care and integrity.
The post Stay Green When Planning Your Move With These Recycling Tips appeared first on AW Sites.
Sanitation Workers: The First Line of Community Protection & Crime Prevention – Article Feature from johnarwood.com
Sanitation Workers Watching Out For Safety
In a recent article posted on www.johnarwood.com, John Arwood’s personal website, he highlighted several ways sanitation workers could partner with local first responders and law enforcement to help protect their communities.
As the safest communities have learned, partnerships between law enforcement officers and the public in crime prevention are the most effective ways of stopping criminals. Who better to help prevent crime than our very own sanitation workers? They are the workforce who are already in our neighborhoods and communities every day keeping us safe and clean. Garbage men provide extra eyes for police officers and know when something’s out of the ordinary. – John Arwood
Read the Full Article
Head over to www.johnarwood.com to read the full article and learn more about the next steps you can take in your company or personally to partner with first responders in your local area.
Photo Credit: Arvell Dorsey, Jr
The post Sanitation Workers: The First Line of Community Protection & Crime Prevention – Article Feature from johnarwood.com appeared first on Garbage Man Day.
The post Sanitation Workers: The First Line of Community Protection & Crime Prevention – Article Feature from johnarwood.com appeared first on AW Sites.
Arwood Waste Celebrates our Dedicated Armed Forces
“Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he–the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine–who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail.”
– Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, USN
Honor, Service, Valor and Sacrifice – True American Heros
This year on Armed Forces Day, Arwood Waste honors and celebrates all of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country. We take this day to pay tribute to those who serve or have served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Arwood Waste and our partners thank you and your families for your service, today and every day.
Call us at (888) 413-5105 if we can ever serve you for Roll Off Dumpster Rentals, Portable Toilet Rentals, Commercial Dumpster Rentals, or Storage Rentals.
Photo: Arlington County
The post Arwood Waste Celebrates our Dedicated Armed Forces appeared first on AW Sites.
Hazardous Waste Collection Day
Private wells and septic systems. Any waste improperly disposed of down the drain could end up in our drinking water. So it’s important to dispose of hazardous waste the right way.
The list of items to bring includes oil-based paints, stains and varnishes, paint thinners and strippers, wood preservatives, polishes for furniture, floors, and metal, rug and oven cleaners, swimming pool chemicals, moth balls, lighter fluids, septic tank degreasers, rechargeable (Ni-Cd) batteries, thermostats, and thermometers. A more detailed list of accepted items can be found atwww.hrra.org under the household hazardous waste tab.
The list of what not to bring includes electronics, computers, VCRs (recycle at the town drop-off center), empty aerosol cans (put in garbage), household batteries (put in garbage), PCB capacitors, smoke detectors, auto batteries, tires, motor oil, antifreeze (recycle at town transfer station), ammunition, fireworks, explosives, radioactive materials, unknown gases, controlled substances, pharmaceuticals, or medical waste.
Year-round, the Redding transfer station will accept fluorescent lights and paints (latex or oil-based) that are still liquid in their original containers. Other items that are accepted are listed on the town website, townofreddingct.org, under Public Works.
This Saturday’s collection is for residential waste only. Proof of residency — driver’s license, motor vehicle registration or tax bill — is required. Redding is participating in the collection day with Bethel, Ridgefield, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Newtown. Redding CERT volunteers are used to help run the operation.
Keep in mind that if you can’t make this Saturday’s collection, Redding participates in both a spring and a fall Household Hazardous Waste Day. This fall, waste day will be on Sept. 24 in Danbury. Your tax dollars provide this service.
The post Hazardous Waste Collection Day appeared first on AW Sites.
Proclamation And Law Celebrates And Protects Sanitation Workers
Provided by Prince William County Department of Public Works
June 17 is National Garbage Man Day, and on May 17 the Prince William Board of County Supervisors issued a proclamation that declares June 17 as National Garbage Man Day in Prince William County. Prince William citizens and the business community are encouraged to recognize these workers for their important work during the week of June 13, 2016.
The movement’s organizer encourages communities across the nation to take a moment and show appreciation for the men and women in the solid waste management industry and particularly our trash collectors, for the life-saving service they provide on a daily basis.
In support, on June 16 and 17 the Prince William County Solid Waste Division will celebrate National Garbage Man Day at the Prince William County Landfill. All trash haulers that come to the facility will receive a word of thanks and some special safety tips because of the tremendous risks these workers are exposed to on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, refuse and recyclable material collection is the fifth most dangerous job in the country, and transportation incidents are the cause of 40 percent of the injuries and fatalities.
After accepting the proclamation from Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart, Tom Smith, Prince William County Solid Waste Division Chief, highlighted a new law that was signed by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2015 to mitigate the dangers. The Slow Down to Get Around law says drivers must reduce their speed to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and pass at least two feet to the left of any stationary vehicle that is collecting trash or recycling. Smith noted the impact these workers have on a safe environment, the 1000 tons of trash per day processed by haulers and County landfill staff and the fact that they all deserve to make it home safely.
The National Waste and Recycling Association has produced a PSA, youtube.com/watch?v=QNZT8sMmgwg to bring attention to the Slow Down to Get Around law and the tragic impact distracted or otherwise unsafe drivers can have on trash collection workers.
The Prince William County Solid Waste Division asks residents to imagine what our communities would be like without dependable collection and processing of unwanted, discarded waste and recyclables. Now, in addition to following the Slow Down to Get Around mandate, think of some ways you can celebrate the men and women that provide such important quality of life services to our families, businesses and communities.
To learn more about National Garbage Man Day, and how you can show your support, go topwcgov.org/trashandrecycling or garbagemanday.org. Also send your celebration ideas and photos to[email protected] for the County’s Facebook page.
The Prince William County Solid Waste Division (SWD) provides solid waste management, recycling, composting and waste resource education to over 400,000 residents. The division employs more than 50 people and operates the only active Extraordinary Environmental Excellence (E4) rated landfill in Virginia, the highest level of certification awarded by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). In 2013, the SWD also earned the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold Medal Award for its Sustainability Program. The SWD is a part of the Prince William County Public Works Department, an accredited agency of the American Public Works Association.
The post Proclamation And Law Celebrates And Protects Sanitation Workers appeared first on AW Sites.
It’s almost here! – National Garbage Man Day – Week of June 17th, 2016
The week of celebrating National Garbage Man Day is only one month away!
Celebrate the week of June 17th
Show some appreciation to your Garbage Workers for all they do!
- Get your own Garbage Man Day custom items from the Store
- Show your love and Buy the Tshirt
- Help us spread the word about the week of June 17th celebrating Garbage Man Day
- Visit the Garbage Man Wall of Honor
- Download a printable Thank You Card for your garbage workers
- More creative ideas on how to celebrate the sanitation worker’s efforts
Follow us on Facebook.
If it were up to me, everyday would be National Garbage Man Day!
The post It’s almost here! – National Garbage Man Day – Week of June 17th, 2016 appeared first on Garbage Man Day.
The post It’s almost here! – National Garbage Man Day – Week of June 17th, 2016 appeared first on AW Sites.
Happy Mother’s Day from Arwood Waste
Happy Mother’s Day from Arwood Waste and Partners!
Arwood Waste wants to wish all of the mothers out there a peaceful, colorful, joyful Mother’s Day.
We know what it’s like to clean up after others week after week. We respect and admire your perseverance, and want you to know that we’re always here when you need some extra help!
This weekend, do something special for your mother, or mother-like figure in your life. Take the initiative to clean up so mom doesn’t have to, or present her with some fresh flowers to brighten her day. Whatever you do, make sure mom feels appreciated for all of the hard work she does.
Photo: The Glass Behive* via flickr
The post Happy Mother’s Day from Arwood Waste appeared first on AW Sites.
Special Spring 2016 Gift For You – FREE $50 Gift Card – Download Now!
FREE $50 Gift Card Just For You
Who says you can’t get something for free these days? We’re proving that’s simply not true with this special gift exclusively for our valued customers. Arwood Waste is giving you a FREE $50 Gift Card from our partner site Dumpster.me. Now that’s a nice discount on your next Roll-Off or Commercial Dumpster Rental. This gift card is normally purchased on sites like Amazon.com but it’s our gift to you just for being our customer.
Simply download your special dumpster gift code below then head over to Dumpster.me and enter that gift code when you place your order. We are so excited to give this free gift to you simply as a Thank You for trusting us with your business.
Arwood Waste and our partners are proud to serve your Roll Off Dumpster Rental, Portable Restroom, Commercial Dumpster Rental, and Storage Rental needs.
The post Special Spring 2016 Gift For You – FREE $50 Gift Card – Download Now! appeared first on AW Sites.
Time to Celebrate Earth Day with Us!
Mr. Squirrel wants to say “Happy Earth Day!”
National Garbage Man Day supports Earth Day
Let’s do our part and contribute to the global effort to make our world more sustainable and environmentally friendly. We believe that our children and the generations to come deserve to live in a healthy world. To help us all get started, check out The Recycle Guide, a free resource packed with information to help you start preserving the Earth today!
Here’s a bit of what you will learn from The Recycle Guide:
Learn What to Recycle
Did you know that not everything can be recycled? While we wish it could, there are some Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to recycling. Head over to The Recycle Guide’s recycling rules and etiquette page to learn everything you need to know.
Why Recycling Matters
Were you aware that the average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year? Those kinds of numbers really add up quick. Knowledge is power and knowing the impact that your recycling actions can have on the environment is an important factor in the decisions you make each day. Check out this information and you’ll be amazed how much recycling matters.
Find out Where You Can Recycle
Do you know the difference in a landfill, sorting facility, and a dump? Knowing the right place to take your waste will help you stay consistent with recycling all year long. The Recycle Guide has easy to use resources to help you find the closest facility.
Free Learning Resources
If you’re a teacher looking for resources to help your students or a parent trying to teach your kids about recycling, The Recycle Guide has the best free resources and links. The How to Recycle section, Recycling in Schools, and Recycling Activities are perfect places to start.
Find more information about recycling and the role your garbage workers play in the process at The Recycle Guide and National Garbage Man Day!
Connect with The Recycle Guide on Facebook to share ideas and interact with others trying to preserve our Earth.
Photo: Audrey via flickr
The post Time to Celebrate Earth Day with Us! appeared first on Garbage Man Day.
The post Time to Celebrate Earth Day with Us! appeared first on AW Sites.
