Environmental Awareness
By Mariana Salama
By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans. As we continually abuse the use of various plastic bags and bottles, our home, planet earth, is suffering. The excessive use of plastic can be tamed, if we make only a few life style changes.
An easy way to reduce the use of plastic, is by eliminating the excessive use of plastic. To begin, there is no need to double bag, a Lays potato chip bag, or a bottle of water. For example, using cloth reusable bags. They are not only more sturdy, they also don’t kill our wildlife. Using reusable bags, will carry more goods, limit the hassle of having to carry 12 plastic grocery bags, and will save the planet. Another way to reduce the use of plastic, is by using reusable cups instead of your typical plastic Dunkin’ Donuts cup.
Lastly, using reusable straws is another great way to save the planet. The use of plastic affects both humans and animals. For instance, birds, fish and shellfish can mistake plastic for food when it has broken down into smaller pieces. One in three sea turtles, and around 90% of seabirds, have eaten it. They can't digest plastic so their stomachs can become full, meaning they don't have room for actual food. Chlorinated plastic can also release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water. This can cause serious harm to the species that drink the water.
Major companies such as Adidas are working towards recycling plastic to make various sports necessities. Also, most Walmart’s have large plastic collection bins, where you can go and leave your plastic bags, bottles etc. to be recycled.
How does recycling work?
Recycling is actually a complicated process and is different for each type of material.
Aluminum cans - Aluminum cans were one of the first items to be heavily recycled. The process isn't quite as complicated as it is for some other materials. The cans are first shredded and then melted. From there, the aluminum can be used to make new cans and other aluminum items.
Plastic bottles - There are a lot of types of plastics and each type is made from a different combination of chemicals. As a result, plastic bottles are first sorted into their various chemical types. Then they are cleaned to get rid of any leftover food or other waste. Next, the bottles are crushed or shredded into fine plastic chips. Then the chips can be melted down to create new plastic or turned into a fiber used for making carpets or clothing.
Paper - Paper starts its recycling process by being mixed with water and other chemicals to break it down. It then gets shredded and heated up. This process eventually turns the paper into a pulp or slurry. The pulp gets strained in order to remove any glues or plastics. After that, it gets cleaned and bleached to remove any left over inks or dyes. Now the pulp is ready to be made into new paper.
Computers and Batteries - Computers and batteries are usually recycled in order to remove harmful chemicals as well as to recover, or salvage, some valuable materials such as gold from electronics boards.
Feeling inspired?
Come and join the Nottingham High School Environmental Club! Creating a better environment, one cap at a time! Meetings every Thursday in S105. See advisors Ms. Dana Dunphy, Ms. Michelle Kryzkalski, and Mr. Jon Schwartz if you have any questions.
Visit Mercer County’s website for details on what you can and cannot recycle: http://www.mcianj.org/content/119/306/default.aspx
Still not convinced on why you should recycle? Visit this website: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics
An easy way to reduce the use of plastic, is by eliminating the excessive use of plastic. To begin, there is no need to double bag, a Lays potato chip bag, or a bottle of water. For example, using cloth reusable bags. They are not only more sturdy, they also don’t kill our wildlife. Using reusable bags, will carry more goods, limit the hassle of having to carry 12 plastic grocery bags, and will save the planet. Another way to reduce the use of plastic, is by using reusable cups instead of your typical plastic Dunkin’ Donuts cup.
Lastly, using reusable straws is another great way to save the planet. The use of plastic affects both humans and animals. For instance, birds, fish and shellfish can mistake plastic for food when it has broken down into smaller pieces. One in three sea turtles, and around 90% of seabirds, have eaten it. They can't digest plastic so their stomachs can become full, meaning they don't have room for actual food. Chlorinated plastic can also release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water. This can cause serious harm to the species that drink the water.
Major companies such as Adidas are working towards recycling plastic to make various sports necessities. Also, most Walmart’s have large plastic collection bins, where you can go and leave your plastic bags, bottles etc. to be recycled.
How does recycling work?
Recycling is actually a complicated process and is different for each type of material.
Aluminum cans - Aluminum cans were one of the first items to be heavily recycled. The process isn't quite as complicated as it is for some other materials. The cans are first shredded and then melted. From there, the aluminum can be used to make new cans and other aluminum items.
Plastic bottles - There are a lot of types of plastics and each type is made from a different combination of chemicals. As a result, plastic bottles are first sorted into their various chemical types. Then they are cleaned to get rid of any leftover food or other waste. Next, the bottles are crushed or shredded into fine plastic chips. Then the chips can be melted down to create new plastic or turned into a fiber used for making carpets or clothing.
Paper - Paper starts its recycling process by being mixed with water and other chemicals to break it down. It then gets shredded and heated up. This process eventually turns the paper into a pulp or slurry. The pulp gets strained in order to remove any glues or plastics. After that, it gets cleaned and bleached to remove any left over inks or dyes. Now the pulp is ready to be made into new paper.
Computers and Batteries - Computers and batteries are usually recycled in order to remove harmful chemicals as well as to recover, or salvage, some valuable materials such as gold from electronics boards.
Feeling inspired?
Come and join the Nottingham High School Environmental Club! Creating a better environment, one cap at a time! Meetings every Thursday in S105. See advisors Ms. Dana Dunphy, Ms. Michelle Kryzkalski, and Mr. Jon Schwartz if you have any questions.
Visit Mercer County’s website for details on what you can and cannot recycle: http://www.mcianj.org/content/119/306/default.aspx
Still not convinced on why you should recycle? Visit this website: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics