Recycling Education
There are so many ways to make a difference every day. A very important step is to educate yourself. On this page, you will find a breadth of interesting facts. If you have any questions about the topics covered here, please call Daphne Mosley at the Pike County Solid Waste District at (740)947-4104.
Classroom Presentations
The Pike County Solid Waste District staff can talk to your school about recycling, composting, and waste reduction. Our office has several classroom presentations, projects and WOW lessons. Our mascot “Spotless the Litter Hound” is eager to come to your school with our educators to help teach Reducing, Reusing and Recycling! To Request a visit, call 740-947-4104.
Windows on Waste (WOW)
Windows on Waste is an elementary, interdisciplinary, environmental studies activity guidebook published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention (ODNR/DRLP) to help educators teach students about solid waste and environmental issues. Lessons were thoroughly developed and tested with the help of educators from across the state. Copies of the WOW curriculum can be obtained here.
Adult Presentations
Pike County Solid Waste District offers presentations and workshops throughout the year for different audiences. Our staff can talk to your group or organization about recycling, composting, and waste reduction. We can also host a booth or table at your event. With our efforts, we hope to inspire and educate people of all ages to take small steps to take part in the global movement for waste reduction and green lifestyle choices. We would be pleased to create and deliver a program for your organization or event. Please contact Daphne Mosley at 740-947-4104 for more information.
Composting
Composting is the act of combining organic materials under controlled conditions so that the original raw ingredients are transformed by decay and degradation into humus (or compost).
Composting yard and food wastes is an excellent way to alleviate trash from the waste stream. As well, the composting process creates hummus rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). This organic product is one of the best soil amendments available, great for gardening and lawn maintenance. Composting is relatively simple and can be a great project for the whole family. Coupled with recycling, composting allows many families to send virtually nothing to the landfill.
Waste Audit
What is a waste audit?
A waste audit involves the physical collection, sorting and weighing of a representative sample of your organization’s trash. Depending upon your needs, a waste audit can focus on waste from the entire business or focus on certain areas, such as the cafeteria, manufacturing floor, or certain departments.
Why is a waste audit necessary?
A waste audit will enable the organization to identify and quantify all the components of the waste stream. This knowledge is necessary to determine what components of the waste stream can be eliminated or reduced, exchanged, reused, sold, recycled, or composted. Knowing or extrapolating the results to determine quantities of items helps to identify not only which methods are best for waste diversion but also the recycling and composting companies best suited to handle the particular waste stream.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASTE AUDITS
For more details about conducting a waste sort at your business or school, call our office at 740.947.4104 or send an email.
Household Hazardous Waste
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW.” Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.
Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.
The options of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal-listed in order of EPA’s preferred waste management hierarchy-are all important tools to safely manage HHW. The following information can help you determine the best ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of common household products that may contain hazardous ingredients.
Benefits of Proper HHW Management
Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products.
Reuse of hazardous household products can save money and reduce the need for generating hazardous substances.
Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human health and the environment.
HHW Facts and Figures
Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year.
The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement and garage and in storage closets.
During the 1980s, many communities started special collection days or permanent collection sites for handling HHW. In 1997, there were more than 3,000 HHW permanent programs and collection events throughout the United States.
Reduction at Home
Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or products-without hazardous ingredients-for some common household needs.
To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Below are some tips for individuals to follow in their own homes:
Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however, require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions.
When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.
Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.
Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for instructions on proper use and disposal and to learn about local HHW drop off programs and upcoming collection days.
Disposal Options
Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Federal law allows disposal of HHW in the trash. However, many communities have collection programs for HHW to reduce the potential harm posed by these chemicals. EPA encourages participation in these HHW collection programs rather than discarding the HHW in the trash. Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW collection program. Also, read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain.
Reduce. Reuse.
The easiest way you can have an impact on the waste stream is to practice conscientious consumption. The average American disposes of four and a half pounds of trash every day, thereby securing our position as the leading producer of solid waste in the industrialized world. It is safe to say that most people give very little thought to what they throw in the garbage on a regular basis. For one day, put all of your trash in one bag and see just how much you throw away. You might be very surprised.
There are many simple ways to reduce the amount of trash you produce:
•Purchase items with the least amount of packaging possible.
•Choose bulk items that can be repackaged if necessary in washable containers.
•Purchase durable and reusable goods.
•Rent or borrow seldom used items.
Reuse.
There are several organizations in our community that are happy to re-distribute your gently used items to people in need. Bridgehaven accepts household goods. Community Action will take household goods, furniture, working appliances, and clothing. If you have extra food in your cupboard, Pike County Outreach Council of Churches will accept non-perishable food items. Donating items you no longer require not only keeps them out of the landfill, but it also is a valuable service to the community. If you wish to be a bit more entrepreneurial, reselling your unwanted items is a great way to “reuse”. Yard sales, advertisements in local papers, or websites, like eBay or Craigslist, are all simple ways to get rid of clutter in your home.
Reuse does not soley rely on donating or selling unwanted items. Using a refillable mug to take coffee to work or using a dish towel instead of paper towels are both practical and simple ways to “reuse”. Also, thinking beyond the initial use of an item often creates a whole new life for it.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is defined as the use of worms to convert organic matter into hummus (compost). The organic matter converted in the process of vermicomposting is typically limited to household food wastes. Worms are extraordinary creatures that can consume their weight in food and soil every day. They leave behind castings rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). These castings are a perfect amendment to gardens, houseplants, and lawns. Listed below is more information on vermicomposting.
Yard Waste
Yard Waste should not be included in the household trash destined for the landfill. Instead, it is best to compost your yard waste at home or send it to a yard waste composting facility.