green living tips

Lancaster County Cleans Up Its Waste Disposal Act

Did you know that the average American discards of roughly 7 pounds of trash a day?  The USA has an enormous garbage problem with nearly 90% of all raw materials extracted in the country ultimately making their way into landfills or the insides of incinerators according to research conducted at Columbia University. In order to prevent the country, and the planet as a whole, from turning into a rubbish dump it is of paramount importance that local organizations and households alike engage in eco-friendly waste disposal methods.  In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, every effort is being made by various operators within the community to dispose of municipal waste in an effectual, eco-friendly way that reduces the volume of waste destined for the landfill.

The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority

If you live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania you will be fortunate to have your waste managed by a nationally-recognized outfit. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority is known for its remarkably innovative eco-friendly practices, and operates a very cohesive system that manages Lancaster County’s municipal solid waste and recyclables in an environment that is not only efficient and reliable but environmentally safe as well.  In order to maintain their high standards regarding dumpsters for near Lancaster, the LCSWMA utilizes a varied approach that centers around recycling and hazardous waste management to reduce the toxicity level of the waste. While eco-friendly waste management is the main focus of the LCSWMA, it isn’t their only one. They have also worked hard to realize a number of other environmentally-friendly schemes such as a very inspiring wind energy project as well as a landfill gas-to-energy project that is located on the authority’s Frey Farm Landfill.

LCSWMA is empowering the community

In order to fully realize their eco-friendly waste management ideology, the LCSWMA works closely together with local municipalities and community organizations in encouraging the general public to become more eco-friendly.  Since the beginning of April, the LCSWA has been holding home compost workshops that teach residents how to recycle their organic waste at home instead of sending it to the landfill. Composting is not only a superb way to recycle anything from fruit and veg scraps to leaves, wood chips, and grass clippings but it also encourages individuals to become more self-sufficient and plant their own vegetable and herb crops at home. Workshop attendees also learn to construct cheap yet sturdy compost bins that will meet with all of their requirements while each household in attendance receives a free collection bucket for their kitchen scraps.

The City of Lancaster encourage eco-friendly waste disposal

To further encourage eco-friendly waste disposal, the City of Lancaster is offering a yard waste collection service that will be available to residents until the end of October. Pickups will occur twice a month with no limit being set on the number of bundles or bags you can set out for collection every time. Yard waste includes grass cuttings, tree trimmings, shrubbery and other organic garden vegetation but excludes food scraps, stones, dirt and bulky tree stumps.  In order to reduce the number of household appliances simply discarded by the side of the road, the City has initiated a white good collection service that operates on the 3rd Friday of every month. Although the system requires the purchase of a $15 tag, it is well-supported by the local community who have become very focused on disposing of their waste in a sustainable manner.

Employing a greener approach to waste disposal may seem challenging but it is a lot easier than assumed. Regardless of where you are situated in the USA, you will be able to find waste-disposal companies and community initiatives that offer eco-friendly garbage disposal solutions that will be of great benefit to your immediate environment and the country in the long run.

About

Nikki is an author and writer specializing in green living ideas and tips, adventure travel, upcycling, and all things eco-friendly. She's traveled the globe, swum with sharks and been bitten by a lion (fact). She lives in a tiny town with a fat cat and a very bad dog.

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