The Valuable Individual
By Lillian & Dave Brummet, Fri Dec 9th

The Valuable Individual (413 words)

How can we, as individuals, participate in waste management?Because some of us are so overwhelmed with Earth’s problems, wefeel that our contributions have no real consequence in the end.For others, social barriers can be an issue. A lady we once knewconfessed that she did not want to be seen buying used items orbeing concerned with power use. She was worried people would seeher as cheap – a scrooge – when the family was so affluent. Yet,she was very careful to be seen with recycling bins out on thecurb on pick-up day, because that was thought to be the thing todo socially. Now is a good time to put an end to these negativethoughts and feelings of false pride. Waste reduction is notabout ego - it is about the health of the planet and of ournation.

Communities would be wise to look at Nova Scotia’s wastereduction success and try to emulate it in their area. With thehighest waste reduction rates in Canada, Nova Scotia has reducedlandfill contributions by 46% - saving about $31 million peryear - simply by making the most of the organic and recyclablematerials. Curbside recycling service (Blue Box) is available to99% of its residents and 76% now enjoy curbside organic service(a.k.a. Green Box).

With better management of organic and recyclable waste,

Contador has no plan to quit
Alberto Contador says his two-year ban for failing a drugs test is a 'terrible injustice'.
Contador given two-year drug ban
Alberto Contador is handed a two-year ban for a doping offence - and is stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title.
Cavendish claims Qatar stage win
World road race champion Mark Cavendish records his first victory as a Team Sky rider on stage three of the Tour of Qatar.
Boonen wins Tour of Qatar opener
Tom Boonen wins the opening stage of the Tour of Qatar as Britain's Mark Cavendish makes his Team Sky debut.
Lance Armstrong team probe closed
US prosecutors close an investigation into allegations of criminal conduct over doping claims in a cycle team partly owned by former Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
GB & Australia set up London duel
Great Britain and Australia announce full-strength teams for February's London stage of track cycling's World Cup.
London plans 'classic' road race
London plans to host a one-day professional road race to rival classic events such as the Paris-Roubaix.
Edgar doubt for GB at World Cup
Ross Edgar may not recover from injury in time to star alongside Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny at next month's London World Cup.
Harrison misses out on medal ride
Sam Harrison misses out on an individual medal ride after helping Britain's pursuit team to fourth at the Track World Cup in Beijing.
Storey in team sprint for Worlds
Sarah Storey is selected for the Great Britain team sprint at next month's Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles.
Kenny gets gold after Bauge ban
British track cyclist Jason Kenny is promoted to world sprint champion after Gregory Bauge is suspended for drug test infringements.
Wiggins: Millar Olympic ban right
Bradley Wiggins admits there are legitimate moral reasons why fellow Briton David Millar should not be allowed to race at London 2012.
Team Sky decides on 2012 line-up
Team Sky announce their squad for 2012, with Mark Cavendish joining seven other new signings for the team's third season.
Cavendish backs 'redeemed' Millar
Mark Cavendish believes David Millar has paid the price for his doping past and deserves a second chance at London 2012.
Cavendish wins Sports Personality
World champion and Tour de France green jersey winner Mark Cavendish wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with Darren Clarke second and Mo Farah third.

we willfind we do not have to put the trash out as often because theodors and volume are greatly decreased. As a fiscal incentive,many garbage collection companies offer discounts to homes withreduced waste.

We can also help the waste management industry run moreefficiently. For instance, when only full garbage bags and Blueor Green boxes are put out on the curb, the garbage truck doesnot have to stop as often and burn fossil fuels inefficientlywhile idling. (Incidentally, vehicle idling is responsible for3% of the air pollution problem.) Similarly, by collapsing boxesbefore recycling we are ensuring that space is used moreefficiently, thereby reducing the number of bins needed fortransporting materials.

Recycling, alone, has a huge impact on the environment. A studyof a 100-unit apartment building practicing maximum recyclingfound it would save 21.93 thirty-foot trees, 26.86 cubic yardsof landfill space, 8,389 kilowatts of electricity, and 77.4pounds of air pollution in just one year!

So you see, these seemingly small choices and efforts towardswaste management really do make a difference.

About the author:-- Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept ofthier new book Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions forthe individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. Aguide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on theenvironment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)