Facts About Garbage

Did You Know...?

  • The average person throws away 8 pounds of garbage a day?
  • The typical family of 4 sends 2½ tons of waste to the landfill every year?
  • Every item used = 1 pound less for the landfill?
  • Up to 75% of household garbage is derived from organic matter?
  • One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees?
  • Over 75% of all trash can be reduced, reused, or recycled?

What's In Our Trash?

Trash National Average
 Kansas Average
Paper 38% 35%
Yard Trimmings
 18% 12%
Metals 8% 5%
Plastic 8% 5%
Glass 7% 5%
Food Waste
 7% 9%
Other 14% 28%

Become an Environmental Shopper


Reduce


Buy fewer products and less packaging; make the products you do buy last longer.

Reuse


Find ways to reuse the products you do buy.

Recycle


Buy packaging that can be recycled and recycle it. Buy products and packaging that use recycled materials.

Respond


Let store owners and manufacturers know your opinions.

Recycling


  • Reduces litter
  • Reduces volume of solid waste
  • Reduces landfill cost
  • Reduces the need for new costly landfill
  • Reduces the cutting of trees
  • Reduces our exploitation of other resources
  • Reduces processing energy use
What can be recycled across the nation (not all of these in Trego County):
  • Aluminum
  • Batteries
  • Glass
  • Oil
  • Paper
  • Plastic
  • Steel
  • Tires
  • Yard and Food Waste (compost)