[GreenYes] Weight vs Volume

[Bob and Camille Armantrout <bobandcamille@yahoo.com>]

I suspect these statistics reflect a rise in the use of plastic
packaging as opposed to an actual reduction in generated waste.  Since
paper and paperboard weigh more than plastic, the trend toward plastic
packaging will reduce tonnage without reducing volume.  At the same
time, plastic beverage containers are replacing glass bottles.  The
practice of measuring solid waste in weight rather than volume can be
misleading.

Camille Armantrout
Maui Recycling Service
Maui, Hawaii

From: Jim McNelly &lt;jim@composter.com&gt;<br>
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 10:31:07 -0500<br>
<br>
FWD From Resource Recycling Magazine<br>
<br>
National recycling rate rises to over 30 percent<br>
<br>
While waste volumes grew a scant 0.3 percent in 2000, recycling
collections rose 6.6 percent, reports the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (Washington). As a result, the national recycling rate rose from
28.1 percent in 1999 to 30.1 percent the following year.<br>
<br>
According to EPA, about 231.9 million tons of municipal solid waste 
were
generated in the U.S. in 2000. Waste generation per capita fell 2.8
percent in 2000, to 4.5 pounds per person per day, primarily due to a
decline in the use of paper and paperboard.<br>
<br>


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