Analysis

Policy is needed to regulate which course of action should be taken and how it should be implemented. Because of this, many plans and policies revolving around the management of solid waste have been put in place. Sometimes however, a particular policy can have its shortfalls, potentially resulting in its negative aspects outweighing the positive ones. According to the Conference Board of Canada Report, “Canadians dispose of more municipal solid waste per capita than any other country” (2013). Solid waste management in particular, involves many aspects, ranging from packaging waste, food waste, etc. (White & Franke 1999), hence, the following analysis revolves around household and commercial waste – referred to as Municipal Solid Waste (White & Franke. 1999) – in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Municipal waste is a major health and environmental concern as it contributes to numerous problems like habitat destruction, surface groundwater pollution, and other forms of air, soil, and water contamination. Waste disposal methods like incineration create toxic substances, and landfills emit methane, which contributes to global warming. According to the Zero Waste Objective Report, “The impact of climate change and the increasing awareness of the role of “waste” and “wasting” in the production of greenhouse gas emissions is a constant environmental pressure… (2009). This leads to an increasing limitation of government to prevent and control the volume and toxicity of products in the waste stream and a growing need to shift responsibility to the product manufacturer.

For most of America, recycling has become a way of life. For some, it is a valiant effort to take charge of our waste and do what is right for the environment and for future generations. For others, it is a forced mentality by government agencies or private businesses who attempt to prove their value by self-promoting their commitment to environmental responsibility. Recycling, in theory, is a positive effort; however, massive recycling programs are not the answer. Recycling programs in general lack an intelligent way to a means, since the costs and environmental burden may outweigh the desired result. Recyclers should only focus on materials that they can process in a cost effective way, and consumers should focus

...ly established in the current political climate. The first component of the study is to understand the scenario of public participation in recycling planning, policy formations and decision making process in Laramie. The second component is to understand the different factors affecting the individual recycling behavior and attitudes of the residents of Laramie. And, the third component of the study is to analyze some common recycling policies and some exemplary programs in the United States to understand their reasons of success and if possible some policies could be replicated from them to increase recycling rates in Laramie. All of these components have been studied to find out if there are any barriers or opportunities that would allow the study to recommend or formulate policies eventually to meet Laramie’s long term recycling goal of 40% diversion rate by 2030.

When addressing this issue, it is necessary to discuss the cost of curbside recycling, which outweighs any economic gains. Second, it must be made known that the recycling process wastes more natural sources than it saves. For these three reasons --economic, environmental, and experiential—curbside recycling should ...

Recycling helps the economy of the community. A community that embraces a recycling culture has more economic potential because they are committed to improving their quality life. An import...

One method to analyze the problem at hand is to use the Respect for Persons approach. Within this approach, the dilemma can be tested using the Rights test. First, the rights involved are the workers’ rights to life and physical integrity. This is a first tier right, according to Gerwith’s scale. However, the other rights involved in this case include the right to work for profit and the right of purpose fulfillment, which are second tier rights. These are involved because the workers are using the money they make from recycling waste to support their lives and families. The action under question here is if the recycling of e-waste should be continued...

Statistically, US alone is the leading country in the volume of high-tech trash with 30 kilograms per person and 9.4 million metric tons of e-waste per year. Followed by ...

The author stated that despite common belief, recycling is the most wasteful activity in the U.S, the shortage of landfill space doesn’t exist, and we’ll probably save more if we follow the pay-as-you-throw system. Although I understand that these arguments come from an anti-recycler’s point of view, I think that to a certain extent what he said is very true. Perhaps we should focus on reducing waste from the source instead of stressing on how to reuse garbage whilst taking up more resources.

Prison in the United States over the past two decades have become alarmingly overcrowded. The population in prison continue to grow due to the war on drugs (“criminal justice program focusing on reducing the manufacture, use, sale, or trafficking of drugs”). Moore D. L. and Elkavich A. in their “Who’s using and who’s doing time” article states that “The justice system that was designated to “protect and serve” took on the challenge of the war on drugs in 1968 when the Nixon administration decided to redouble efforts against the sale, distribution, and consumption of illicit drugs in the United States (Moore D. L. and Elkavich A., 2008).” . The United States incarcerates more people for drug offenses than any other country. In fact the war on drugs has become the main contributor to the ballooning population in prisons today. “William Weir, an expert on gun control and drugs, argues that cynical politicians have manipulated the public to attain their own agenda and goals and, in so doing, created a “dope fiend” stereotype to generate votes. The “war” has increased violence and enhan...

I am certain that many of you walking around the campus have seen the recyclable bins. But how many of you have actually consciously thought about how this act will benefit you or the environment or do you just strolled pass to deposit your bottles in the garbage and not the recyclable bins? As young adults who will be future corporate personnel’s, future parents, future homemakers, is this really the environment you want to build a future in? Having a clean environment can be beneficial to all. There is a need to preserve the earth’s resources for future generations and not many persons fully understand the benefits to be derived from the continuous practice of recycling. I will give a brief history on recycling, and discuss the benefits of recycling; these are to save energy, limit pollution and to build a stable and sustainable society.