How to live more sustainably in Southwest Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Since April 1970, people around the world have been celebrating Earth Day to raise awareness about environmental conservation. The official theme for this year is ‘Planet vs. Plastics’.

According to Earthday.org, 100 billion plastic beverage containers were sold in the United States last year. That’s over 300 bottles per person.

Plastic has become a major source of waste around the world, polluting the oceans, threatening species and emitting harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

On average, people could ingest 5 grams of plastic per week, which is about the weight of a credit card.

“The Planet versus plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastic and protect the health of every living thing on our planet,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earthday. org.

In Roanoke alone, more than 37,000 tons of waste is sent to a landfill every year. That’s enough to fill more than 18 Olympic-sized swimming pools. With proper disposal, much of this waste could be kept out of landfills.

Recycling is a common practice among about 43.1% of Virginia residents, a big difference from 32.9% in 2000. According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the highest recycling rates are found in urban areas.

It is very important to learn how to properly dispose of specific items. The fact that the packaging has a recycling symbol does not mean that it can be recycled. It only takes one contaminant to spoil an entire recycling container.

Since 2015, the City of Roanoke has offered one-way recycling, meaning all recyclables can be placed in the same bin. However, up to 41% of recycled waste in the Star City is contaminated.

Here you can read what you should pay attention to when putting out your waste bin on collection day.

1. PLASTIC BAGS of any kind are not allowed in a trash can because they can clog machinery. Yes, this means that you should NOT bag your recyclables. Use a paper bag instead! In the supermarket you can throw away or reuse plastic bags.
2. TANGLERS (such as cords, hangers and hoses) cannot be recycled due to the risk of sorting machines jamming. If you have a ‘tangle’ that is broken, throw it away.
3. WET WASTE (such as food or liquid) can easily contaminate an entire recycling bin. If there is grease or cheese on your pizza box, it cannot be recycled. Make sure bottles and cans are completely empty and dry before throwing them in the trash. If you have food waste, consider composting it or taking it to The Harvest Collective.
4. METAL AND ELECTRONICS should not be thrown away in the curbside trash bin. Instead, take electronics or batteries to a Best Buy.
5. STYROFOAM is not biodegradable and takes up a lot of space in recycling centers. Consider taking reusable containers to restaurants to take home your leftovers.

Use the interactive map below to find the most convenient place to properly dispose of non-recyclable items. Filter between recycling, composting, electronic and clothing disposal centers.

Even small changes can have a big impact on the environment. Here are some simple things you can consider doing this Earth Day and beyond.

• Take reusable shopping bags to the store
• Reduce your ecological footprint by walking or cycling. For every mile walked instead of driven, nearly a pound of pollution is kept out of the air.
• Try carpooling or taking public transportation to work
• Buy second-hand clothes instead of buying new clothes
• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic
• Plant native trees and plants in your backyard
• Try to limit water and energy consumption
• Go paperless by opting for online billing
• Shop local
• Clean your neighborhood/community

Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.