Choose Your Own Adventure: Waste Management

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost, Incinerate (Energy), Landfill, Incinerate.

This is the culmination of civilization’s experience and intellect regarding waste management. Entire industries and livelihoods have been built around waste management, which is one of the most fundamental problems of human existence. Clay sewage pipes from 4000 BCE, discovered in Mesopotamia, the “cradle of civilization,” shows humans attempting to manage waste. Today, places like New York City have entire departments dedicated to sanitation. For most people, however, the time and thought put into waste management only goes as far as “Something about Reduce, reuse, recycle…?” or “Ugh, garbage day tomorrow. Time to take out the trash.” 

So, let’s break it down. What does “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost, Incinerate (Energy), Landfill, and Incinerate” actually mean? These terms are listed from the most important, impactful, and effective methods of waste management to the last ditch effort. Reducing, therefore, is the most impactful way to help decrease waste, and I am always surprised by the many little ways this can be accomplished.

Reduce means “Get smaller or less.”

Instead of purchasing multiple containers of applesauce or yogurt held together with even more packaging, buy one big container. Likewise, instead of buying a box with a bag of cereal inside, purchase cereal packaged in just a bag. Rather than choosing to buy a box of hot chocolate envelopes, buy one large container of hot chocolate. Individually wrapped products are the enemy of reducing waste. Conscious decision-making about what you want or need will not only limit waste but will also typically comes with cost savings!

Reuse

Product reuse has become a little more mainstream lately. Reuse includes practices such as bringing your own bag to the grocery store, using a water bottle instead of buying a disposable one, and using Tupperware instead of single-use sandwich bags. Some grocery stores promote Reducing and Reusing by allowing customers to provide their own containers to fill with the product at the store. This practice reduces packaging waste by reusing your containers.

Recycle

Minneapolis recycling facility

Recycling, in my opinion, is the poster child for waste management. Everyone seems to know something about recycling, which determines whether they love it or are cynical about it. Sadly, it’s easy to be suspicious. For one, it’s surprisingly difficult to determine what resources are available to you. The sticker on my recycling can is long been worn away by the elements. The best you can do is look up your recycling company’s website and see what they will take for you.

Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling provide massive benefits toward limiting the amount of carbon and waste generated in product mining, transporting, processing, and packaging all before an item even reaches your shopping cart. Recycling an aluminum can, for example, produces up to 90% less carbon and waste than creating a new can from raw materials. Unfortunately, some companies refuse to use recycled materials, which can make it feel like our efforts are wasted. But it has been shown that continued pressure from the consumer is slowly turning the tide. We have the power!

Compost

The next process in line is a fun topic. There is something incredibly satisfying about watching your moldy bread and fuzzy orange peels magically turn into beautiful, rich, aromatic soil (albeit with the forgotten fruit stickers mixed in). The cities in the Minneapolis metro have also seen how compost has become a boon to our organic waste management and our gardens. As a result, there is less rotting compost in our landfills, which frees up space, reduces methane, and limits rodent populations, which are public enemy #1 in societies like New York City. In spite of these benefits, composting is placed fourth on the list because it still requires materials to be mined or processed to replace those used. Nevertheless, it is a far more preferable alternative to the following methods.

Debris crane in action

Incineration (Energy)

“Incineration (Energy)” refers to the process when waste is burned to produce electricity. The products thrown away by consumers must be entirely replaced by raw materials, a process that results in more waste, but at least some benefit is incurred from the incineration process. Energy incineration is typically only performed in extensive metropolitan areas, as storing, moving, and drying the waste can be intensive. I had the privilege of touring Minneapolis’s incinerator and watching the debris crane at work.

Landfill

“Landfill” is exactly what it sounds like. Some dumps are better than others. For example, some create turbulence in their waste to break debris down faster. However, all landfills need to have a way to capture and hold contaminated water or “leachate” that this garbage and the elements create and keep it from sinking into our groundwater. Leachate systems can be a serious environmental concern when they are not functioning properly.

Incinerate

Finally, incineration refers to the burning of waste. In this case, no energy is captured. Although this may sound better than a landfill as it would save space and avoid leachate, burning trash creates other environmental issues. Contaminants and toxic chemicals, including sulfur dioxide, polycyclic organic matter, and heavy metals like dioxin can be introduced into the air. These contaminants are usually captured when the garbage is incinerated for energy, but not in non-energy-producing facilities.

I have barely scratched the surface of waste management with this post. Each of these categories could become its own 40+ hour class. Waste management is fascinating, and I highly encourage taking tours of your waste facilities, recycling plants, and compost sites if accessible in your area. In the meantime, remember your reusable grocery bags, don’t flush your “flushable” wipes, use fewer straws and napkins at restaurants, and take comfort in the small victories.