Talking Trash
Let’s Celebrate ARD!
America Recycles Day (ARD), celebrated every November 15, serves as a reminder of the importance and impact of recycling. Despite its significance, the United States has a recycling rate of only 30% for residential materials, including glass, plastic, cardboard, and...
Keep your reuseable bags clean
Reusable shopping bags are handy and durable, but they aren’t self-cleaning. Here are some tips to keep your reusable shopping bags clean and your family healthy! •Wash your hands after you get home from the store and before unloading grocery bags. •Launder reusable...
The Customer Journey Map
What is a Customer Journey Map? And how can it apply to solid waste management programs? At a recent conference for solid waste management districts in Indiana, we learned that a Customer Journey Map follows the relationship between a customer and a service provider...
Good deals that do good
Buying and selling used items helps your community, your wallet, and the environment. But how? The sad truth is that Americans in total generate tons of waste — literally. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American individually...
Have a green Halloween
Are you starting to feel spooky? It's the season for channeling your inner witch, superhero, or TV character. But don't rush out and buy a costume! Halloween brings lots of ghoulish fun, but it can also generate a significant amount of waste, from costumes worn only...
A tsunami of plastic
“Breaking the Plastic Wave: Top Findings for Preventing Plastic Pollution,” a report published several years ago by the Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ, Ltd., predicted that with “business as usual,” ocean plastic pollution would triple by 2040. That would be the...
Addressing Curbside Contamination
One bad apple can indeed ruin a whole barrel. It's also true that one contaminant at the curb can spoil an entire load of recyclables. In a new report, Best Practices for Reducing Curbside Recycling Contamination and Code Enforcement, the Solid Waste Association of...
Don’t burn fall leaves!
Falling leaves are beautiful and a lovely part of walks this time of year. They light trees afire in colors of yellow, red, orange, and gold and give a delightful crunch underfoot. If raked into a pile, they are fun to jump into and toss about. But eventually, those...
Don’t flush your meds!
When flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain, medications pollute our water and jeopardize public health by exposing people and wildlife to harmful chemicals. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), your unwanted medications could end up lost, stolen,...