Latest update April 26th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 24, 2018 APNU Column, Features / Columnists
In order for Guyana to embark on this new chapter and embrace the ‘green’ agenda there will be need for massive education at all levels. The changes that will be required cannot be cosmetic but rather lifestyle changes that are far removed from our old habits and norms. One important feature of this shift will be our relationship with solid waste and more important recycling of waste material.
Recycling is an important pillar in the greening of Guyana. Recycling diverts waste from landfills and helps protect the environment. Throwing something away means losing the chance to reuse that material. Recycling appropriate materials and composting food waste reduces the impact of landfills and garbage dumps, as well as the demand on the World’s natural resources to produce more material.
To get a clear understanding of the importance of recycling we must first have knowledge of what materials can be reused. It might be helpful for schools, churches, temples and mosques, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Municipalities in every region to start having a conversation with citizens about recycling.
This conversation must also be held by the decision makers in the council chambers and the meeting places of these entities where policy will have to be enacted to deal with recycled solid waste and how it will be managed. One of the first steps after education will be implementation of a recycling programme, followed by the establishment of recycling centres and finding markets for the recycled products.
In many developed societies, recycling is big business and there is a fortune to be made from your own or someone’s trash.
Paper is a product that makes up a large percentage of both commercial and private waste in Guyana. Every year we dump millions of tons of paper and cardboard into our landfills. Paper and cardboard can be separated from regular garbage and recycled. There is also money to be made by recycling paper, paper products and cardboard, from homes, offices, businesses places and other waste sources. In the United States of America (USA), clean white office paper sells for $200 a ton at some recycling centres, and mixed scrap paper is worth about $45 per ton.
Aluminum cans are one of the most widely recycled items in the USA. Juice, soda and beer cans are collected and taken to recycling centres where they are crushed, weighed and sold. According to the Can Manufacturing Institute, a single aluminum can is worth between one and two American cents, a ton of cans sell for US$2, 300.
Beer bottles and plastic bottles are also products that should be widely recycled in Guyana. Along with plastic cups, plates and other similar material that wreak havoc on the environment.
Another Landfill killer is metal products. A great percentage of metal that is headed for the landfill can be recycled as scrap metal. Scrap metals offer the highest value of any recycled product. The American Institute of Steel Construction estimates that a ton of scrap steel is worth $555 per ton. Scrap steel can be found in the form of cans, appliance-casing and old automotive parts etc.
Recycling is an important factor in conserving natural resources and greatly contributes towards improving the environment. Once local authorities settle on a policy of recycling then a programme can be rolled out. Recycle bins in homes and offices that can be used for items like, paper, cardboard glass, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Recycling in and around the home can be easy when you know how. Consumers should think carefully about what products they buy at the supermarket and how to recycle them as the first step towards efficient recycling.
As a nation we must be educated to think green, so when we shop, we must buy products that can be recycled. When we go to the Supermarket we should select products that can easily be recycled, such as glass jars and tin cans or cardboard packages.
Our first choice should be to buy fresh organic produce, but if we just have to buy packaged produce then we should buy products that have been made from recycled material. You can tell if a product is eco-friendly by looking on the label of the package.
The time has come for us as a nation to begin the conversation on recycling.
Recycling is not only a worthy goal for homeowners, businesses and communities, it can also be big business and it is good for the environment. On this path towards a green agenda we must not only think green but we must begin to enact green policies and programmes; we must act green.
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