Waste Not, Want Not
The
Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently completed a
study characterizing waste that is generated in the State of Missouri.
The 2006-2007 Waste Characterization Study was
conducted over the past couple of years on fifteen locations throughout
the State, including our City’s South Transfer Station. This study
was completed as an update to a similar project conducted ten
years prior.
City of St. Louis government and residential
wastes are hauled to one of two transfer stations (from which
it is hauled to a landfill in Illinois). Details of the quantity
and types of waste hauled into our South facility are included
in Appendix 13 - St. Louis (South) Transfer Station, which is
posted at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/docs/wcsstlsouth.pdf.
This is a summary of what categories of waste and how much is
being tipped in our transfer station. Note how much more of our
waste could be recycled, both in terms of weight and volume. In
particular, we need to divert more paper (i.e., mixed, high grade,
newsprint, cardboard, magazines). Generally, at least half (by
weight) of what's still being dumped in our transfer station could
be readily recycled through our existing services – batteries,
oil, appliances, tires; dropoff recycling; and/or curbside recycling.
If you’re not already recycling in your office,
please note that options available to City employees are posted
at
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/citygovernment.html.
If you’re not yet recycling at home, there are a variety of opportunities
that are noted throughout our website at http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle.
In either case, consider that this does not have to be an all-or-nothing,
overnight scenario. Take a step to consistently recycle at least
one item (e.g., office paper). Once you get into that habit, you’ll
likely find that it’s much easier and more convenient than you
expected, and you’ll be able to add another item (e.g., aluminum
cans) to the list of what you recycle. Or, you may notice that
you’re ready to step it up, and start reusing things (e.g., drinking
your coffee, tea, cocoa, juice, or water from reusable cups and
mugs instead of single-serving beverage containers). And, soon
you’ll find yourself reducing, by working on your computer instead
of printing everything. Then, without even realizing it, reducing,
reusing, and recycling will have become simply part of your work
habits or home lifestyle.
For more information, the full 2006-2007 Missouri
Waste Characterization Study is available at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/rrr/rrr.htm.
