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- Waste Management, combined with its wholly owned subsidiary Recycle America, is North America's largest recycler, managing 8 million tons of recyclables, saving natural resources and energy.
- Our renewable energy projects create enough energy to power about 1 million homes and save the equivalent of about more than 14 million barrels of oil per year (or 3.6 million tons of coal).
- Waste Management's landfills provide more than 17,000 acres of protected habitat for wildlife, and 33 are certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council.
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As spring approaches and people are eager to start on remodeling and clean-up projects, Waste Management of Orange County encourages local customers to reuse and recycle their waste to save natural resources, landfill space and money on renovation and disposal costs.
"There are a number of great ways for people to reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste, since a lot of it like drywall, metal, concrete and lumber can be recycled," said David Ross, Senior District Manager of Waste Management of Orange County. "With a little extra effort, people can improve not only their immediate environments, but also the environment that we all share."
Waste Management of Orange County suggests that residents consider these ideas to help the environment — and their pocketbooks:
| Do you have...? |
You can... |
| Drywall scraps |
Have them ground down for use as soil amendment for your flowerbeds or lawn. There are a number of Web sites that discuss re-using drywall as a soil supplement — check to see what options are available in your area. |
| Quality used and surplus building materials |
Donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which re-sells items at a fraction of normal prices. Proceeds from ReStores help local affiliates fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity houses within the community. More information is available at www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx. |
| Old fixtures and hardware |
Check with stores that specialize in the resale of used fixtures and hardware. You never know — your pink toilet might be someone else's treasure. |
| Old carpet pads |
Recycle your used carpet pads. Some recyclers even pay for used carpet and pads. |
| Wood waste |
Recycle through wood waste processors. Some accept only clean wood that is untreated or unpainted while others take a mixture of waste woods. Disposal feesvary with each facility and some facilities may pick up loads and supply drop-off boxes for collection. |
| Insulation and floor and ceiling tiles |
Remember to seek professional assistance when removing and disposing of building materials that could contain asbestos. For information about asbestos, contact your local air district at www.epa.gov/asbestos/index.html. |
"It's important that we recognize the recycling opportunities available for construction and demolition materials, since it often unnecessarily takes up space in our landfills," said Ross. "Home remodeling and clean-up can be a win-win situation for the environment, as well as for homeowners, builders and contractors."
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