Waste Problem

Sangeeta Chakrabarti
UWRT 1103 Project
October 29, 2014
Agenda
Overview of inquiry questions

Research done so far

Recycling as the main focus- multimodal component

My Perspective on the topic
Overview of Inquiry Questions
Could the U.S.A, our nation, do anything to fix waste problems?

What is being wasted?

Why is there such a huge waste problem?

What are the effects of waste problems?

How can we fix waste problems?
Research done so far
Could the U.S.A, our nation, do anything to fix waste problems?
Yes, the U.S.A is already doing several things to address the waste problem
through U.S Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), local and state
governments.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RCRA reduced waste and
encouraged recycling and more needs to be done in terms of waste disposal
which is discussed in the book below.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/wastes/laws-regs/regs-non-haz.htm

Source: Blatt, Harvey, Americas environmental report card: are we
making the grade? MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts 2005.


Research done so far
What is being wasted?
The common household wastes include food, yard waste, composting,
paper, scrap tires, used oil, batteries, aluminum, plastics, glass, and
electronics.
Industrial wastes can be hazardous and toxic which include nuclear wastes

Why is there such a huge waste problem?
The problem is huge since U.S.A generated 251 million tons of municipal
solid waste in 2012. This means every American generates 4.38 pounds of
waste per day.
The landfills are becoming huge and filling up

Source: http://www.epa.gov/waste/nonhaz/municipal/msw99.htm
Source: Blatt, Harvey, Americas environmental report card: are we
making the grade? MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts 2005.


Research done so far
What are the effects of waste problems?
Poor air quality(smog), water quality, climate change and its impact on
health.

How can we fix waste problems?
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are the three R is the message from EPA.


Interview with Mr. Kevin Grant, Manager
Recycling Cabarrus County

Recycling the main focus: visit to Cabarrus
County Recycling Paper, Plastic, Glass, &
Electronics

My thoughts and perspectives
The 3 Rs, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in that order needs to be
practiced
Reduce waste and conserve needs to be the focus in all communities
Reusing water bottle, mugs, cloth grocery bags helps reducing waste.
I would like to encourage recycling at an early age in schools, teach the kids
that waste problem needs to be solved.
Charge deposit on bottles and cans, if you recycle you get the money back.
Place more recycle bins for plastics, paper, and cans in public places.

Authors Perspective
Author proposes environmental taxes to solve waste problem
Those who waste more should pay more taxes



Thank You