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Green Garbage: Just the Facts

I thought it would be nice to celebrate garbage and all the wonderful things that it has to offer!

Did you know that:

  • In New York, power from landfill methane far exceeds solar power. In New Jersey, power from landfill methane surpasses both solar and wind power.
  • Landfill methane in those states and in Connecticut powers generators that produce a total of 169 megawatts of electricity — almost as much as a small conventional generating station. The methane also provides 16.7 million cubic feet of gas daily for heating and other direct uses.
  • There are over 9,000 recycling programs in the United States.
  • Recycling programs in the United States save the carbon footprint of over 36 million cars!! Yes, 36 MILLION!!
  • The average American produces from 209-253 lbs of organic food waste per year. That is 33 million tons of food waste per year in the United States.
  • Glass can be recycled an indefinite number of times. It never loses its properties through reuse.
  • One recycled plastic bottle can power a home for 6 hours.
  • The United States is currently recycling at a rate of 34% of recycling capabilities.
  • The average American uses enough paper to make 5.57 40’ tall trees EACH YEAR!!
  • The recycled roof from an average size home can pave 200’ of a 2 lane road!!
  • If it is not captured, the E.P.A. says, landfill methane becomes a greenhouse gas at least 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency lists more than 51 operating landfill methane projects in the three states.
  • Landfill methane powers generators that produce 83 megawatts of electricity in New Jersey.
  • In New Jersey, more than half of captured landfill methane is now used. The state’s largest project, at the 600-acre Ocean County landfill in Manchester, generates 20 megawatts.

The benefits of recycling can’t be denied. It saves landfill space, produces energy, reduces greenhouse gasses, generates cash for municipalities and saves money at the scale at the landfill. Why would you NOT want to recycle? As a refuse hauler, it is my responsibility to see to it that the debris in the roll off dumpsters we dump is taken to the proper facility, recycled whenever possible and disposed of properly and in accordance with all laws and environmental policies.

I like to think that we are the Earth’s custodians. We clean up what the world leaves behind. It is an important job that rarely gets much credit. Most people don’t see the benefit of our service until they have a pile of garbage and they need it removed. Just think of what the world would look like without garbage men! Look at any city during a Sanitation Department strike and you get the idea.

We all say we want to leave a better planet for our kids. Why not leave better kids for our planet? Teach your children the benefits of recycling and practice it at home and work!

Be safe, be well and most of all BE HAPPY!

Dale Olander
President
D&D Disposal
(732) 341-6900