WORLDWIDE

People are starting to understand that something has to be done to make our planet more resource sustainable. Our population has grown exponentially, which means that our resource use has grown exponentially as well. At the rate that each individual uses the planets resources, our planet could be completely out of natural resources within the next few hundred years. One way that we can make an impact is to increase the amount of recycling we do as individuals. If we all used recyclable materials, we wouldn’t have to worry about having an accumulation of waste (because all of the waste product would be recycled) or running out of natural materials to make our products. Like we all learned in fifth grade; REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.

At recycletheworld.org, you can find locations all over the world where there are recycling centers installed. Of course, you can always recycle at home, but having locations that popularize recycling helps motivate and incentivize people to do the right thing.

http://www.recycletheworld.org

 

UNITED STATES

            The United States has really stepped up their game when it comes to recycling. Each year, the rates increase of the number of people who are recycling products. We are starting to convert a lot of our waste into reusable products, which greatly decreases the need to excavate the earths natural resources. The reason that there is not more recycling in our country (and probably all over the globe) is because of the cost. Sadly, we are a money driven society, and once we find a more profitable way of recycling, rates will increase even more.

            For more information and statistics, visit

http://www.call2recycle.org/group-effort-recycling-today/.

 

ARIZONA

            As a state school, Arizona State University advertises and promotes everything “green”, including recycling over all of its campuses. The school has added blue bins in every classroom, in every hallway, and out on every walkway. ASU isn’t the only school to has increased the number of recycling bins around its campus. The University of Arizona promotes it as well, and has a list of different things that they are able to recycle, not just paper and soda cans. They have recycling centers that accept a spectrum of recyclables, from green waste to office supply recyclables.

http://www.fm.arizona.edu/fm-dept/recyclewaste.html

 

PHOENIX

            Another factor in successful recycling programs is getting people the correct information of things that they are allowed to recycle. At ASU, we have started a new recycle education program that informs students what they can put in the recycling bins and what they cannot. This increases the amount of things that people recycle, but more importantly decreases the things that people put in the landfill. Getting people educated is the first step. People need to understand about the recycling process so that they can understand what actually is recyclable.

For a more complete list of what you can and cannot recycle, visit http://www.wm.com/thinkgreen/what-can-i-recycle.jsp.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130327phoenix-plans-heap-recycling-education.html

 

Author: Taylor Boggio

 

Worldwide

            We all know that the world is run by money, so in order to incentivize people around the world to recycle, there has to be some reason for them to do it. In economic terms, we need to increase the recycling market, and make it more profitable for companies and regular people as well. There are some countries around the world that have passed laws to make recycling mandatory. This is another incentive in a sense because the citizens will receive negative consequences for not participating. Countries like the UK have created a market for recycling where brokers actually purchase recyclable goods. Because of these incentives and policies, rates have greatly increased all around the world, notably Germany whose recycling percentage is 75%.

http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2005/07/recycling-worldwide.html

 

United States

             For many decades in many states there has been a recycling program in which you can take your aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or glass bottles to certain locations and trade them in for cash. Depending on the state, these recyclables can range from 5 cents to 10 cents per item. Even though we are a country that emphasizes small government mettling, we have to admit that we do depend on the government to put laws in place in order to get us to do things like recycling. Some states place fines on individuals that put recyclables in the landfill, others do not.

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section6group2/results___discussion

 

Arizona

Arizona has greatly increased its efforts over the years to promote recycling, and other “green” incentives as well. There are many profit and non-profit organizations that have begun to promote recycling throughout the state. Arizona Recycling Coalition has even started applications for grants and other recycling programs. Monetary incentives like these are definitely necessary if we want to see a greater increase in people recycling. This has been a proven tactic to motivate people to start taking proactive action. People always think in the short term, so incentives like grants are good ways to get people to change their behavior so that in future generations it may become second nature.

For more information on specific laws in the State of Arizona that promote and incentivize recycling, visit http://www.campaignforrecycling.org/states/arizona

http://www.arizonarecyclingcoalition.org

 

Phoenix

            In Phoenix, there are programs where you can take your used appliances and trade them in for money. People think that they only kind of recycling is that of cans, paper, and cardboard. You can recycle a variety of different things such as appliances and electronics and often times get money in trade for doing this service. One unintended consequence of throwing electronic or appliance recyclables away in the landfill are that they release toxins. There are small local businesses that collect the recyclables for this reason.

http://www.phoenixelectronicsrecycling.com

http://www.srpnet.com/energy/powerwise/savewithsrp/appliancerecycling.aspx

 

Author: Taylor Boggio