Zero Waste Alliance Ireland
A Policy and Strategy for Delivering Real Changes in Waste Management in Ireland
Climate Change, Sustainability, and Waste
A Recent report released in the UK reported on the options being considered for the disposal of UK wastes. Based on careful Life Cycle Analysis, the report concluded that wastes should be reduced, reused and recycled, rather than be incinerated or land-filled. What has this to do with Climate Change? – you ask.
The results are clear and positive. Burning and burying our wastes results in
large releases of carbon dioxide and methane into the ‘commons’ of
our atmosphere, thus promoting an increasing rate of Climate Change; re-using
resources is more efficient, and results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG’s). Re-using the aluminium in drink cans is a great example: recycling avoids
the mining of four tonnes of bauxite and overburden for each tonne of new aluminium,
and after re-manufacturing the cans, the overall outcome is an energy saving of
70-90%. Re-use of gold is even more special, as it has been calculated that the
manufacture of just one wedding band results in the production of more than 20 tonnes
of waste ore and overburden. Re-use and recycling are simply fantastic!
To learn how to aim for Zero Waste in Home and at Work take a look some simple steps to improving your efficiency regarding waste and Aiming for Zero.
