MSW generation rates, 960-2009 FIGURE 22-3 waste (MSW) in the United States Acti

Question

MSW generation rates, 960-2009 FIGURE 22-3 waste (MSW) in the United States Activity: Evaluate how both annual and per capita values have changed over the period covered by the graph. How was 300 10 Municipal solid Total MSW generation -Per capita generation 8 52.4 255 -4-A.1 250 t 242.5 217.3 2438 208.3 200 66.3 the 'per capita"figure determined? Do you think you"throvv away"45 pounds of waste a day? Keep a record of what 151.6 150 , 44, 34 127.8 121.1 .57 4.52 104. and, if possible, weigh it. Report on your findings to your class. If not, how do you account for these percapita statistics? Modified from Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2009/EPA 00-88 8 2.96 3.25 3.25 -2 S 50 o 50

Explanation / Answer

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, for example, product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. This mainly comes from our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

In 2013, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted about 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.3 percent recycling rate.

From the graph, we can infer that even after recycling the wastes produced the trend of MSW keeps on increasing. This shows that the amount of wastes generated must be lessened by not only recycling, but by composting and preventing further generation of waste. By the process of recycling and composting, we can also save the environment by creating less pollution of both air and landfills.

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