Why should I recycle?

Dec. 17, 2011   Leave a Comment  

Recycling and re-use have many environmental benefits, including reducing the amount of waste we bury in already overcrowded landfills and burn in polluting incinerators, like the one pictured here. (Thinkstock)

Do you really need an explanation?

Why don’t more states offer bottle deposits?

Oct. 30, 2011   Leave a Comment  

Only 10 U.S. states have "bottle bills" requiring deposits on some beverage containers so consumers will return them. Those states recycle 70 percent of their bottles and cans, 2.5 times more than states without bottle bills. The beverage industry has spent millions fighting bottle bill legislation, even though beverage containers make up 5.6 percent of the U.S. waste stream. (Media credit/Mr. T in DC via Flickr)

Does it make more people recycle?

Looking at the safety of carpets made from recycled PET plastic

July 16, 2011   2 Comments  

There is no documented proof that recycled PET plastic carpet fibers are dangerous if ingested in small amounts, but it is advisable to stay safe by keeping them out of our mouths and noses by vacuuming often. Pictured: PET bottles headed for recycling. (Media credit/Twicepix via Flickr)

Recycled plastic bottles OK to walk on?

EarthTalk: Prostate cancer? National recycling law?

Nov. 20, 2010   Leave a Comment  

Just a few decades ago, Americans recycled less than 10 percent of their solid waste. Today, Americans recycle some 32 percent of the 350 million tons of refuse they generate annually (Media credit/Tom Magliery via Flickr)

Should you be forced to recycle?

Swedish firm develops recycling method for LCD screens

Sept. 22, 2010   Leave a Comment  

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Demand will be high

Greening baseball

May 22, 2009   Leave a Comment  

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Across most of Major League Baseball (MLB), teams are turning greener than the outfield grass, reports the June 2009 issue of E – The Environmental Magazine (now posted at www.emagazine.com/view/?4664). They’re reducing energy consumption, extending recycling efforts, and taking the first steps into renewable energy. So far, four parks, including Fenway Park in Boston, the [...]

EarthTalk: Plastic lids? Solar panels?

Aug. 25, 2008   2 Comments  

Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps?  I see people recycling plastic bottles, for example, with their caps on, but I’ve always been told to thrown them out. Is that wrong? – Stefanie Gandolfi, Oakland, CA Many municipal recycling [...]

EarthTalk: Presidential candidates? Recycling odd items?

Jan. 7, 2008   Leave a Comment  

Dear EarthTalk: Where do the leading presidential candidates stand on the issue of climate change and other environmental issues? – Max S., Seattle, WA The outcome of the 2008 presidential election could very well have a big impact on a wide range of environmental issues, especially climate change. All of the Democratic candidates—Hillary Clinton, Barack [...]

EarthTalk: Cats inside or out? Hospitals recycling?

Oct. 22, 2007   Leave a Comment  

Most environmental advocates believe that keeping cats indoors is better for both the health of the felines themselves and for their prey. Scientists estimate that the typical free-roaming housecat kills some 100 small animals each year. Also, getting a large institution or corporation on board with recycling is no easy job.