Page 99 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS 77

■ In the United States, processing minerals contributes almost half of all reported
toxic emissions from industry, sending 1.5 million tons of pollution into the air and
water each year. Recycling can significantly reduce these emissions.
■ It is important to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Recycling helps the nation
accomplish this by saving energy.
■ Manufacturing with recycled materials, with very few exceptions, saves energy and
water and produces less air and water pollution than manufacturing with virgin
materials.
■ It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw
materials. Making recycled steel saves 60 percent, recycled newspaper 40 percent,
recycled plastics 70 percent, and recycled glass 40 percent. These savings far out-
weigh the energy created as by-products of incineration and landfilling.
■ In 2000, recycling resulted in an annual energy savings equal to the amount of energy
used in 6 million homes (over 660 trillion Btu). In 2005, recycling is conservatively
projected to save the amount of energy used in 9 million homes (900 trillion Btu).
■ A national recycling rate of 30 percent reduces greenhouse gas emissions as much
as removing nearly 25 million cars from the road.
■ Recycling conserves natural resources, such as timber, water, and minerals.
■ Every bit of recycling makes a difference. For example, 1 year of recycling in just
one college campus, Stanford University, saved the equivalent of 33,913 trees and
the need for 636 tons of iron ore, coal, and limestone.
■ Recycled paper supplies more than 37 percent of the raw materials used to make
new paper products in the United States. Without recycling, this material would
come from trees. Every ton of newsprint or mixed paper recycled is the equivalent
of 12 trees. Every ton of office paper recycled is the equivalent of 24 trees.
■ When 1 ton of steel is recycled, 2500 lb of iron ore, 1400 lb of coal and 120 lb of
limestone are conserved.
■ Brutal wars over natural resources, including timber and minerals, have killed or dis-
placed more than 20 million people and are raising at least $12 billion a year for rebels,
warlords, and repressive governments. Recycling eases the demand for the resources.
■ Mining is the world’s most deadly occupation. On an average, 40 mine workers are
killed on the job each day, and many more are injured. Recycling reduces the need
for mining.
■ Tree farms and reclaimed mines are not ecologically equivalent to natural forests
and ecosystems.
■ Recycling prevents habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion associated
with logging and mining.

Solid waste minimization also aids in creating a healthier environment by reducing
landfill emissions. As discussed in Sec. 2.5 of the previous chapter, under environ-
mental concerns, landfills emit a liquid called leachate. Leachate is a liquid that is
generated from a landfill, which is created from decomposing waste, created after
rainwater mixes with the chemical waste in a landfill, or liquids present in the landfill.
Once it enters the environment, the leachate is at risk of mixing with groundwater near