Carper's Corner
Recycling
January 2, 2009
Wilmington – As we look forward to a New Year and new beginnings, I wanted to draw attention to a terrific piece in the Wilmington News Journal this week, written by Ginger Gibson, with great suggestions on ways Delawareans can recycle trees, gifts and other items this holiday season.
During this time when we are buying and disposing of more items, it’s a perfect time to find new ways to reduce our ecological footprint. Among all the ways we can help to protect our environment, I believe that one of the simplest, yet most important activities is recycling.
As Ms. Gibson reports, Christmas trees can be recycled and turned into mulch. Wilmington residents – after removing all ornaments – can leave their tree on the curb on trash day to be picked up and composted by the city. All three of Delaware’s landfills will accept Christmas trees to be recycled by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. Killens Pond, Trap Pond and Cape Henlopen state parks will also accept trees through January 19 for a $2 donation.
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority also recycles broken down cardboard boxes and gift wrap paper, so I encourage residents to include these items in your recycling bins. For more information about what materials Delaware recycles, and how you can find a facility near your home, please visit: http://www.awm.delaware.gov/Pages/Recycling.aspx.
If you’re ready to throw away an old or broken string of holiday lights, Gibson notes that you can send them to a company in Michigan to be recycled instead – at no cost! The company, called HolidayLEDs, will separate old lights and wiring to recycle raw materials like glass and copper.
Electronics waste is the fastest growing portion of our total waste stream. If managed improperly, disposed TVs, computers, cell phones and other electronics can pose environmental and public health concerns due to some of their components – such as lead, mercury and cadmium, among others. Many of these products (like holiday lights) could still be refurbished and reused. Researchers estimate that nearly 75 percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of the uncertainty of how to manage the materials. Electronics manufacturers and retailers are stepping up their efforts to collect and recycle old products. To find out what items you can recycle and where you can take them for e-cycling, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm.
On Capitol Hill, I’m pleased to report that our congressional buildings and facilities operations are becoming increasingly green. About 50 percent of the construction materials waste for the newly opened Capitol Visitors Center was recycled. Earlier this year, the cafeteria at the House of Representatives came under new management. The cafeteria now uses biodegradable forks, knives, spoons and to-go containers made from corn, sugar and potatoes. All its waste is compacted, which not only saves money and landfill space, but the compostable food waste is expected to help fertilize the landscape around the Capitol in the near future. A few weeks ago, the Senate cafeteria followed suit, so I’m very pleased to see the increased emphasis on recycling and resource conservation.
Not only is recycling good for the environment, but it is a valuable way to save energy. America wastes the energy equivalent of 15 medium coal power plants when we throw away aluminum and steel cans, plastic and glass containers and newsprints each year. According to a study conducted by the University of Colorado, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our nation’s entire commercial airline fleet every three months. And, at a recent exhibit at the San Diego's Museum of Natural History, I learned that when we recycle an aluminum can, we save enough energy to power a television for three hours.
Existing recycling programs capture about 22 percent of the waste generated by Delaware’s households and businesses, and I believe we can do even better in the New Year.
As co-chairs of the Senate Recycling Caucus, Senator Olympia Snowe and I will continue working in 2009 to improve recycling rates both in Congress and throughout the country. I am grateful for Ms. Gibson and the News Journal’s efforts to remind Delawareans how each of us can make a difference.