Monday 2 April 2012

April 2 2012
Overview of results

Canadian households generated 383kg per capita of solid waste in 2002 which was 39 percent of the total solid waste produced by the country (Statistics Canada). 

In the one week that I recorded our solid waste output, we produced 14.99 kg. This would amount to an annual output of 779.48kg. This amount is nearly double the national average. There are some explanations for this high output. There are six individuals living in this residence whereas the average Canadian  household has three members (Statistics Canada). This would denote that our output was on par with national averages. Furthermore, we frequently have guests.


The percentages of solid waste types produced by households in Canada are as follows:
Organics 40%
Paper 26%
Plastic 9%
Glass 3%
Metal 4%
Other 18% (includes wood, textiles, rubber etc)


Our percentages of solid waste type output for the week were as follows:
Organics (food): 52%
Paper: 16%
Plastic: 12%
Glass: 6%
Metal: 7%
Other: 7%

Our output of organic waste was much higher than the national average, whereas our use of paper was significantly below the average.

I feel that the amount of organic waste which we are producing could be reduced by cooking smaller portions of food, or freezing leftovers so that we are not throwing away so much food. Also, shopping for perishables on a semi weekly basis would prevent produce and meats from going bad before they could be eaten. Although our paper consumption was lower than the national average, it could be further reduced by switching from the use of paper towels to cloth rags for cleaning and napkin use.

The Wet/Dry system of separation should prevent any organic waste from entering the blue (dry) bag. However, there was organic waste in our blue bag almost daily. More education on the Wet/Dry system could benefit Westmorland/Albert residents and improve sorting attempts. Stricter penalties for violating the Wet/Dry policy could also be beneficial.




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Wednesday 28 March 2012

Day 7
March 19 2012


Green bag:
Total Wt:  2200g
Total Wt glass:  450g
Total Wt paper: 290g
Total Wt plastic: 70g
Total Wt metal: 65g
Total Wt Food: 1110g
Total Wt other: 15g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 620g
Total Wt glass: 0
Total Wt paper: 210g
Total Wt plastic: 105g
Total Wt metal: 40g
Total Wt Food: 230g
Total Wt other:35g

Note:

Much of the organic waste that we are throwing away would be a good source of compost. There is no need for this nutrient rich material to go to waste. For tips on how to compost go to Compostguide.com . 
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Day 6
March 18 2012

Green bag:
Total Wt:  1480g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 180g
Total Wt plastic: 90g
Total Wt metal: 30g
Total Wt Food: 1160g
Total Wt other: 20g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 620g
Total Wt glass: 100
Total Wt paper: 95g
Total Wt plastic: 220g
Total Wt metal: 170g
Total Wt Food: 35g
Total Wt other:0g


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Day 5
March 17 2012

Green bag:
Total Wt:  1460g
Total Wt glass:  160g
Total Wt paper: 140g
Total Wt plastic: 90g
Total Wt metal: 0g
Total Wt Food: 990g
Total Wt other: 80g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 740g
Total Wt glass: 0
Total Wt paper: 310g
Total Wt plastic: 110g
Total Wt metal: 200g
Total Wt Food: 60g
Total Wt other:60g


Note:

Glass, paper,metal, and plastic are all materials that can possibly be recycled. For tips on how to reduce, reuse, or recycle your waste please visit this recycling guide .


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Day 4
March 16 2012

Green bag:
Total Wt: 1160 g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 120g
Total Wt plastic: 70g
Total Wt metal: 50g
Total Wt Food: 860g
Total Wt other: 60g

Blue Bag:

Total Wt: 510 g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 70g
Total Wt plastic: 210g
Total Wt metal: 200g
Total Wt Food: 0g
Total Wt other: 30g

**One recyclable was found in the wet garbage


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Day 3
March 15, 2012



Green bag: 
Total Wt:  1850g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 120g
Total Wt plastic: 80g
Total Wt metal: 40g
Total Wt Food: 1560g
Total Wt other: 50g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 1000g
Total Wt glass: 300g
Total Wt paper: 110g
Total Wt plastic: 250g
Total Wt metal: 100g
Total Wt Food: 90g
Total Wt other:250g
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Wednesday 14 March 2012

Day 2


Green bag:
Total Wt:  1370g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 170g
Total Wt plastic: 50g
Total Wt metal: 15g
Total Wt Food: 1130g
Total Wt other: 5g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 550g
Total Wt glass: 0
Total Wt paper: 180g
Total Wt plastic: 180g
Total Wt metal: 140g
Total Wt Food: 20g
Total Wt other:30g

Duke University conducted a large scale Garbology study on campus. The following is footage of that study.


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Tuesday 13 March 2012

Day 1
This is day 1 of a seven day garbology study of my household waste. Garbology is an academic discipline that examines refuse. There are six people living in my home and the region in which we live requires us to separate our garbage into Wet and Dry. 

I will be weighing each bag of garbage as a whole and will also weigh the contents based on categories. I borrowed the general category outline from this data sheet on Garbology by Dr. Sheli Smith.

Materials:
  • Tarp
  • Protective Gloves
  • Kitchen Scale
  • Data Sheet

Findings for day 1:

Green bag:
Total Wt: 560 g
Total Wt glass:  0
Total Wt paper: 100g
Total Wt plastic: 170g
Total Wt metal: 30g
Total Wt Food: 50g
Total Wt other: 210g

Blue Bag:
Total Wt: 1140g
Total Wt glass: 0
Total Wt paper: 350g
Total Wt plastic: 140g
Total Wt metal: 10g
Total Wt Food: 490g
Total Wt other:150g

Notes:
There was more organic waste in the blue bag than the green bag and there was dry waste such as metal and plastic in the green bag. This would suggest that the household does not understand garbage separation guidelines, or is not attempting to follow separation guidelines.







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