1. Garbage & Waste

Whatcom County, Washington exports 200,000 tons of garbage per year to Eastern Washington & Oregon at a cost of $1.6 million.

Follow up:

In 2001, the U.S. generated 409 million tons of garbage…an increase of 26 million tons over the previous year.

In the state of Washington, the average person generates 8 pounds of waste per day.  3.4 pounds are recycled and 4.4 pounds are disposed.

From 2000 to 2005, municipal solid waste in Washington increased by 20%.  Recycling was up 50% but disposal also increased by 3%.

Landfills constipate nature.  We only have about 20 years of current landfill space available. They are located in poor, rural communities in eastern Washington and Oregon.  What will we do in 20 years?

From 1958 to 1976, packaging increased by 67%.

Garbage “packer” trucks ruined source separation.  Once the garbage is mixed, saving it for Reuse or recycling is like unscrambling eggs.

Since 1950, we have consumed more than all previous generations together.

Plastic is the problem.  Before WWII, most organic waste was fed to animals; metals were re-forged by blacksmiths, wood was burned for fuel.  Clothes were recycled into rags.  Plastics created the throw away society.

Cheap oil is the problem.  As long as oil is cheap, throw-away plastics will be cheaper than reusable products.