Did you know that the average American will throw away 600 times their adult weight in garbage over the course of a lifetime? That is a lot of trash and highlights why trash removal is such an important industry. Whether you realize it or not, waste and waste removal are essential functions that are easy to take for granted.
Over $11.5 billion is spent on litter clean up each and every year, and it cost approximately $50 per ton just to send trash to a landfill. The waste management industry is an enormous business and encompasses 20 different sub-industries. Trash removal costs are significant regardless of where you live. The more difficult the trash is to deal with, the more it will cost to get rid of.
Commercial garbage pickup is often run by the city you live in. However, many of those are private companies contracted by cities to handle their trash removal. According to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, between 25% and 55% of the trash is collected by city authorities in large urban areas.
When it comes to recycling and waste minimization, the “3 Rs” (reduce, recycle and reuse) are used as a standard of reducing waste. One report states that recycling just one ton of cardboard can save over nine cubic yards in a landfill. With landfills overflowing, every inch counts.
Many people don’t think about what happens once they throw something away. However, it is an important thing to consider. Reducing the amount of waste you produce will save money and will help preserve land being used for landfills. As landfills start overflowing, more land needs to be claimed for trash.
Organic waste makes up a large percentage of overall waste. Paper and cardboard account for 27% of waste, while lawn trimmings and food waste account for 28%. Organic material does break down fairly easily, which helps in the reduction of space needed for waste storage. Many communities allow residents to recycle their organic waste, which is then composted.
Reducing the amount of waste produced is a simple solution. However, it may not always seem simple. Reusing products is another important option. Look at the things you toss on a daily basis and deciding if you can get more life out of the item.
