Economy, environment benefit when you recycle
February 21st, 2008What do plastic bags, furniture, durable decking material, t-shirts, toilet paper and paper towels have in common?
They can be made from recyclable materials.
Al Christensen, director of the Tri-County Solid Waste Office, said that on average, Sibley County residents and businesses produce 13,000 to 14,500 tons of solid waste annually. 4,500 to 5,300 tons of solid waste are recycled annually in Sibley County.
Sibley County has a recycling rate of 38 to 45%, which, according to Christensen, is “not bad for a rural county.” However, the State of Minnesota would like to see counties recycling rates at 50-75%, especially with commodity prices for such things as aluminum, steel, paper and plastic so high.
What happens to the rest of the solid waste?
Christensen said that 1,000 – 1,500 tons of solid waste are burned or buried on site, while 5,500 – 6,000 tons is taken to landfills and waste-to-energy facilities.
What items are acceptable for recycling here?
Acceptable items include newspaper — daily, Sunday papers and magazines; corrugated cardboard, but boxes should be broken down; plastic — look for the #1 & #2’s only, and they must have a neck or handle; cans — aluminum or tin, aluminum pie tins are also accepted; Glass — bottles or jars only and the colors of clear, brown and green.
Unacceptable items include window glass, clay pot dishes, ice cream buckets, butter tubs, five gallon plastic pails, plastic bags, aerosol cans, 12 or 24 beverage boxes, ceramics, pizza boxes, yogurt cups, demolition debris, plastic toys, garbage, or hazardous waste.
After recycling is picked up locally, it is taken to a transfer station in Le Sueur. After that it is taken to Recycle America in Minneapolis for processing.
Why should we recycle?
According to the Web site, recyclemoreminnesota.org, the reasons are because of energy, economy, and the environment.
Recycling has economic and environmental benefits for Minnesota. Since recycling has begun in Minnesota, it has reduced the need for landfill space dramatically, reduced CO2 emissions, reduced water and energy consumption, as well as conserved natural resources.
Recycling reduces energy use, because when we recycle, we reduce the energy consumed by creating new products. This reduced energy consumption lowers a community’s green house gas emissions and lowers the overall impact of climate change in Minnesota and throughout the world.
Recycling is important for the economy. Recyclable material has great economic value. According to recyclemoreminnesota.org, one million tons of material that could be recycled has an estimated value of $312 million. It costs Minnesotans $200 million to throw it away.
Minnesota’s recycling industry directly and indirectly supports approximately 20,000 jobs, paying an estimated $760 million in wages and adding nearly $3 billion to the state’s economy. More information on recycled products can be found on the Web site, recycledproducts.com.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, recycling strengthens the environment and creates jobs in Minnesota.
Things that consumers can do to make a difference include:
• Buy recycled products, or products made with a percentage of post consumer recycled material.
• Recycle more paper at home than just newspaper.
• Recycle more of the plastic bottles you use when away from home, such as water and pop bottles.
• Recycle old cell phone and ink jet cartridges. In the U.S., 300 million ink jet cartridges are thrown away each year. Many companies recycle these for reuse.
• Encourage other people in your household or place of business to recycle instead of throwing away recyclable material.
Where can residents recycle?
Gaylord residents have curbside recycling. Other recycling sites in Sibley County and their hours are:
Gaylord – South of Main on 5th Street – first and third Saturday from 9 – 11 a.m.
New Auburn – By the City Hall on the first and third Wednesday from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Arlington – Main Street and 4th Avenue every Tuesday during daylight hours
Gibbon – Empty lot on Main Street by railroad tracks the first and third Tuesday from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Green Isle – By the Fire Hall on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Henderson – By the City Garage Sunday and Saturday all day
Winthrop – By Hands, Inc. Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m. – noon, and Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m.
The State of Minnesota (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) will be kicking off a promotion, “Recycle More Minnesota” in April around Earth Day, April 22. A residential tool kit, newspaper and radio advertising will be used for further promoting, Christensen said.
For more information, contact the Tri-County Solid Waste Office at 507-237-4321 or the Sibley County Environmental Services Office at 507-237-4091. Information is also available on the Sibley County Web site, www.co.sibley.mn.us under the Environmental Services Department. Click on solid waste.
Information is also on the Tri-County Web site at www.geocities.com/tricountyswo.
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