Durham, NC Recycling



I've had a couple requests on blogging about recycling. So I have done some research about my hometown (Durham, NC) recycling laws. I found this law to be pretty interesting that I am sure the majority had no clue about;

In 1997 Durham passed an ordinance making it unlawful to place target recyclables in the garbage

Target recyclables include:
  • Aluminum cans
  • Steel cans
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Newspaper
  • Plastic bottles
  • Corrugated cardboard

Since October 2009, it is against the law to throw away plastic bottles in Durham, NC.

"It'll help us reduce waste going to the landfills. Obviously, it'll help us recover a valuable material," said state recycling director Scott Mouw.

70,000 tons of plastic ends up in the state's landfills each year. About 20 percent gets recycled.

Admittedly, recycling laws are hard to enforce so the law goes to "good faith". If caught, violators will face fines.

Recycling reduces dependancy on landfills and incinerations which in turn reduces litter, air and water pollution. Recycling also
Also, methane is generated from landfills which is a known greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. Landfills are the leading cause of methane production.

Recycling provides many benefits from economics to environmental. Recycling is the best waste management for waste reduction.

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