Waste is not just garbage; it is also energy, water, food, air, transportation, landscaping, time and money. Waste Management works toward reduction, reuse and recycling of all resources. It encourages the reduction of energy consumption, water conservation, the purchase of reused and recycled products, and alternate transportation methods.

Municipal solid waste is what people generally consider trash or garbage. Some examples are product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, and newspapers. Our society produces immense quantities of waste. In 1998, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 220 million tons of garbage. According to estimates by the U.S. EPA, our society produces over ten billion tons of waste per year. The EPA estimates that U.S. citizens will generate approximately 216 million tons of municipal waste in the year 2000.

62 million tons of waste are recycled or composted each year. Of the remaining 158 million tons, 37 million tons are combusted and 121 million tons are disposed of in landfills.

What is Waste Management?

 

Email: Blinduch@msu.edu