Well this is the last post of my experiment. For the last year I have been weighing my trash weekly and logging how much goes toward recycling or how much does not go into the landfill. This weeks paper was way up due to recycling catalogs, magazines and christmas packaging.
Date Metal Paper
Dec 29th 6.5 49
EOY Total 352 lbs 771 lbs
I am amazed how with very little effort it took to divert 1,123 pounds from going to the dump. More than 1/2 a ton of trash. We did nothing special. Did every single piece get into the bins, I am pretty sure no. Did I have to change anything drastic in my life to accomplish this, no. The hardest part of this entire process was weighing the trash. The other noticeable savings was the reduction in regular trash. On average I filled 2 tall white kitchen bags a week, last year I would say I averaged 4-5 bags a week.
Facts:
800 lbs of paper is about the equivalent of about 1 pine tree
The aluminum can be used over and over
Can go recycling bin to the retail shelf in as few as 60 days.