America produces more waste per capita than any other country in the world. And recycling, which was once considered the solution to that problem, isn’t really working anymore. Recycling works, but it’s not magic. As America continues to lead the world in per capita waste production, it’s becoming more and more clear that everybody-- manufacturer and consumers-- “over-believe” in recycling.
Most organic chemicals are strings or carbon and hydrogen linked together, two of the most common chemicals on earth. Benzene, xylene and toluene are exclusively those compounds. They’re very good solvents often make up a portion of plastics and oil and gas turned into fuel because they burn well. At proper stoimetric ratios when burned all they create is water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Likewise even the famously poison cyanide is just carbon and hydrogen with a nitrogen atom tacked on. That’s why automakers have to limit cyanide emissions and why cigarette smoke contain cyanide – it’s not intentional to poison smokers. Wood smoke and candles also contain cyanide gas – especially with the carbon monoxide rich yellow flames from combustion.
We often think that toxins like benzene, toluene, xylene or even cyanide are man made but often they’re as commonly natural as man made. They’re not elemental toxins like lead or mercury – they’re actually made up from much more common building blocks from the earth.
Helicopters. Cargo containers. Old washing machines. For years, fishermen dumped this waste into the Gulf of Mexico. But they weren't just trying to get rid of junk; they were trying to create artificial reefs that would help attract fish. For this month's Nature Quest, WWNO coastal reporter Eva Tesfaye takes a (metaphorical) dive into the gulf to find out if Alabama's ocean junkyard is an economic – and environmental – solution.
In 1953, the vermont State Legislature banned the name of non-returnable bottles. In 1957, the ban was repealed. At that time, the glass manufacturers argued that farmers exaggerated their claims of cows being injured by picking up splinters of glass in their stomach or that farm machinery was being damaged by roadside glass. The industry was being picked on, the manufacturers charged.
In 1971, with a reapportioned legislature and an important tourist economy, Vermont may be on the threshold of repeating its legislative action of almost two decades ago. One of the sponsors of the bill to ban sale of no-deposit beverage container is Frank L. Butnig from Brandon, Vermont.
If you support the legislation, please write Mr. Bunting or Governor Dean C. Davis, Montpellier, Vermont.
Tuesday September 22, 2020 — Materials and Waste
Some communities are disapproptionally cited with many landfills.
