Trash
Talk- Spring has Arrived!
By Brian Shedlarski
Gray Solid Waste Committee
Spring
is finally here and now that all the snow is melting
it's time for spring-cleaning, indoors and soon
outdoors. It going to get busy around the transfer
station! Gray residents are still doing a superb
job recycling, last years rate was over 50%. Great
Job!
Remember, as you clean out your attic or garage
not everything you no longer want is trash. If it's
still usable we encourage you to donate your items
to charity. There are many places to choose from
such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army, The Building
Materials Exchange, or many other local charities.
Save your receipt, you can deduct it on your 2005
taxes!
As you clean, keep in mind that everything you throw
in the hopper at the transfer station is being disposed
of in the most costly fashion. Including transportation,
we are spending $170.00/ton. That is why it is so
important to separate out the recyclables and bulky
wastes. Paper, #2 Plastic colored and clear, metal,
cardboard, wood, sheetrock, shingles, tires, car
batteries, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent lights,
glass, leaves and grass clippings, bulky waste and
bricks/concrete can all be handled more cost effectively
by recycling. If you have any questions regarding
the disposal of an item please talk to a transfer
station employee. Together we can work to save tax
money and dispose of our waste in a responsible
manner.
With another spring comes another Earth Day and
it's on April 22nd. We can all make a difference
in our community whether it's cleaning up some litter
or increasing our recycling. For more recycling/waste
information visit www.state.me.us/spo/recycle/.
There is a wealth of information to be had here.
Quick Facts:
Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380
gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space,
4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water!
Americans use more than 67 million tons of paper
per year, or about 580 pounds per person.
Paper products make up the largest part (approximately
40 percent) of our trash.
Making recycled paper instead of new paper uses
64 percent less energy and uses 58 percent less
water.
From- www.resourcefulschools.org
