Module 1 To Saving the Landfills
1. Welcome everyone this blog will be used to show the grave amounts of waste created by schools when recycling could be used to help limit the unnecessary waste in our landfills. In a special study done in Minnesota they found “By extrapolation, this means an estimated 483,520 lb of waste are generated per day at Minnesota K-12 public schools.” (Control Agency, 2018) Furthermore, they found in that same research “Twenty-eight percent ( 28%) of school waste, by weight, could be diverted into the recycling stream.” (Control Agency, 2018) This is only in Minnesota but they recorded “Substantial components of the waste stream in Minnesota schools could be reduced, recycled or composted” (Control Agency, 2018) This problem is happening in Minnesota but is it also happening in your schools? I challenge you to find out!
2.
Why should you care? This is a question I receive
a lot when it comes to recycling and landfills. On the EPA’s website, you can
locate the facts “In 2018, in the United States, approximately 292 million tons
of the waste generated, approximately 69 million tons were recycled and 25
million tons were composted. Together, about 94 million tons were recycled or
composted, equivalent to a 32.1 percent recycling and composting rate” (EPA,
2020) 32.1% is a small number compared to where we as educators could reach
given the implementation of lessons for Recycling in schools. As a famous
author wrote “It means more than merely taking initiative. It means that as
human beings, we are responsible for our own lives” (Covey, 1999, p. 33)
3.
You came here to learn about our landfills and
the rates in which they were filling upright? Well if you have made it this
far then I am extremely thankful, and it fills me with joy to know you have
similar needs as me. This need for me is to connect the dots and inspire the
readers to help adopt change and advocate for better recycling programs in schools.
This blog is meant for those who have values and are proactive as seen in this
weeks text reading “Proactive people aren’t pushy. They’re smart, they’re value-driven, they read reality, and they know what’s needed.” (Covey, 1999, p. 41)
4. To
finalize this blog post its important for you (the reader) to understand that
recycling isn’t just a one-person problem. It affects the whole world. As seen
on earthday.org “Sure,
recycling beats throwing something right in the trash, but tons of our
recyclables still end up in landfills or oceans (literally, tons), making a mess of ecosystems. A recent study suggests only 9 percent of the world’s plastic is even recycled.”
(Pytel, 2019) This is the problem we're facing and my plan is to send this
message out to every school and every teacher who will listen. I need help
spreading the word to the Microsystems of the students. These are the ones who can
and will make changes.
References
EPA, E. (2020, November
30). Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report.
Retrieved January 20, 2021, from
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/advancing-sustainable-materials-management
Covey, S. R. (1999). The
7 habits of highly effective people. London: Simon & Schuster.
Control Agency, M. (2018,
March 21). School waste study. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from https://www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/school-waste-study
Pytel, B. (2019, December
13). The recycling problem: A feel-good story that's too good to be true.
Retrieved January 20, 2021, from
https://www.earthday.org/the-recycling-problem-a-feel-good-story-thats-too-good-to-be-true/#:~:text=Sure%2C%20recycling%20beats%20throwing%20something,world's%20plastic%20is%20even%20recycled.
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