As more Americans become aware of overflowing landfills, global warming, and their personal carbon footprints, many are examining ways to make a difference in their own lives – either at work or at home.The business of recyclingLarge and small corporations have taken the shifting values of their consumers to heart and instituted their own recycling programs.Staples recently announced its own nationwide computer and office technology-recycling program. Consumers and small businesses can drop off their old equipment at the Staples customer service desk anytime during store hours. “By making it easy to recycle, Staples helps customers take action in handling e-waste in an environmentally responsible way,” said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs at Staples Inc., in a May press release.”Businesses could play a huge role potentially,” said Dick Brown, executive director of Colorado Recycles, in leading the way in recycling. “They could use their role more than they are.” Brown said businesses can contribute through three main avenues: using recycled products, improving the quality of their own products and instituting their own recycling programs. Businesses especially can use their “economic power to force higher quality in recycled products,” he said.One example is how recycled paper used to be frowned upon. “It would jam up printers,” Brown said. “Now, when you go into office supply stores, almost all the printer paper you see on the shelf is made with some recycled materials.”Improving the quality control of their products is extremely important for businesses in the goal of sustainability. “(Businesses) need to take more responsibility for the ultimate life of their products,” Brown said. This is already beginning to happen, though not by the companies’ choice, but because of the outrage of consumers, he said.The Environmental Protection Agency has created WasteWise, a program designed to assist businesses, institutions, nonprofits, local governments and other organizations in establishing and maintaining their own waste-reduction programs. WasteWise is free, voluntary and available to large and small businesses alike. Some of the benefits include waste assessment, access to the WasteWise helpline and technical assistance team and public recognition through awards programs and EPA publications.According to the WasteWise 2006 Annual Report, “WasteWise partners reported nearly 16 million tons of waste eliminated in 2005 alone … decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by greater than 7.3 million metric tons of carbon equivalent. That’s equivalent to taking approximately 5.8 million automobiles off the road for one year.”Not only have WasteWise partners significantly reduced their carbon footprints through the program, but they also have found significant cost savings.The recycling industry itself is creating jobs. The National Recycling Coalition Web site states the following: “Recycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide.”Another way businesses can contribute to recycling efforts is by placing collection receptacles on their property for public use. “The advantage is that the public is drawn to their lot,” said Clint Morford, general manager for Waste Management Recycle America in Colorado Springs. This could then bring more foot traffic to the business itself.”Falcon will have containers at the Wal-Mart store,” Morford said. He encourages other businesses to follow their lead. “Everyone needs to be on this bandwagon.”The business is responsible for upkeep of the receptacles if trash is left around the site, but Recycle America will up the frequency of pickup if receptacles are filling quickly, Morford said. These receptacles are for paper only, including junk mail, newspapers and magazines. Because of the cost to transport and process glass and aluminum, there is a charge for that service.Recycling at homeThere are several options available for Falcon residents interested in recycling. US Waste Industries Inc. offers limited service in Falcon for curbside pickup. The cost is $3.50 per month, and pickup is twice monthly. Trash service through the company is not required for recycling pickup. Residents out of their service area can drop off materials at the US Waste Industries transfer station on Bradley Road and S. Academy Boulevard. Recyclable items include plastics No. 1 and No. 2, aluminum, newspapers and magazines.Plastics No. 1 – PETE or polyethylene terephthalate – include items like 2-liter bottles and peanut butter jars, while plastics No. 2 – HDPE or high density polyethylene – include detergent bottles and milk jugs, according to RecycleNow.org. Manufacturers display the number on the bottom of most containers.Waste Management provides curbside recycle pickup service to residents in Woodmen Hills and Meridian Ranch only.Many people are aware of the common recyclables – aluminum, plastic, newspapers, and computer paper – but as technology advances, more and more materials can be recycled and quickly placed back into the market. With the technological advances, more innovative ways of using recycled materials are being developed all the time.While burning tires for energy is the EPA’s preferred method of recycling waste tires, Brown prefers grinding the tires and using them as material for ground zones on playgrounds beneath jungle gyms and swing sets.”In 2002, the state of Colorado got an unanticipated grant from the Department of Human Services,” he said. He helped start a pilot program where ground rubber from waste tires was used as a safer surface alternative to wood chips or asphalt on playgrounds. The ground rubber is not only safer, but parents are happy because the knees on kids’ jeans aren’t wearing out as much either, he said. Waste tires are accepted for recycling at retailers like Sears and Big O Tires as well as many waste transfer stations.Concrete debris and asphalt can be recycled, too. Sometimes they are ground and sold to cement factories. “Asphalt is highly recyclable,” Brown said. According to AsphaltAlliance.com, asphalt is the most recycled product. “Twice as much asphalt pavement is recycled as paper, glass, plastic and aluminum combined,” the site states. Ground rubber and old or factory-rejected asphalt shingles can be used in making asphalt pavement as well. Recycled Aggregate Products and ReStore Colorado Springs are two businesses in El Paso County that accept old building materials for recycling. Residents are urged to contact these businesses for specific information.Because electronics like computers, TVs and cell phones become obsolete so quickly, these materials are important recyclables. Several El Paso County businesses will accept electronics for recycling, and businesses like Next Generation Inc. will even provide pickup service for a fee. At the El Paso County Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, residents of El Paso and Teller counties can drop off their electronics free Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment only. Items including computers and computer accessories, cell phones, digital cameras, TVs (up to 19-inch diagonal screen) and stereos are accepted. To make an appointment, call 520-7878. A donation of non-perishable food is encouraged.For more information on recycling services in El Paso County and across the state, visit http://www.colorado-recycles.org or download the 2007 Recycling Directory for El Paso County from the Solid Waste Management page at http://www.elpasoco.com.
