Once again Im going back to the topic of recycling, but this time on a different perspective, its energy use and bottle bills
We all know and understand that recycling has big environmental impacts, by putting less into our landfills, and being able to reuse items, but what else does it do?
Recycling can save energy, one thing we focused on in particular in my ESA 200 class was the recycling of bottles. We looked at a study of recycled cans verses new cans. It not only helps the environment to recycle cans but it takes up less energy. There is mining for new materials, and all the processes necessary to go through to get the aluminum to make the cans. By recycling we use less energy to get the material necessary and pollute less by letting off less emissions. Plus aluminum cans have NO LIMIT on how many times they can be recycled.
That brings up the point of bottle bills.Did you know that only 10 out of 50 states have them? What a tragedy that is in my opinion. Take Michigan for example we have a bottle bill ( which means they have the deposit on them, so you return them and get 10 cents back). Research has shown that 97% of cans with bottle bills get recycled! As opposed to say water bottles in Michigan with out bottle bills, only 20% get recycled.That is a huge amount for the cans compared to water bottles. Now yes there are some disadvantages of trying to implement this process in every state such that they have to build the facilities, it inconveniences the stores, and product producers, as well as the time and energy to take them back. But the advantages are so huge that they out way them in my opinion.We need to conserve our recourses and do what is best for our planet. Recycle!
Do you think we should have a national bottle bill?
In your opinion what other things should we recycle to help out our planet? Do you think MSU is doing a good job at being green? I like that Michigan has a bottle return of 10 cents. I find it disappointing that only 1/5 of the country has the bottle bill. Now only time will tell until the government comes up with the national bottle bill.
ReplyDeleteAccording to what I found, those efforts include the widespread home composting, drop-off recycling, and Michigan's bottle bill, have allowed Ann Arbor to divert about 52% of its waste. Therefore, it is obvious never a bad idea to implement national bottle bill. From where I stand, not only American, I believe that each nation of our world should try their best to carry out this green activism.
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