Let’s change our ways now to protect our planet and

our future.Sarah Elliott

• What Can I do About Global Warming?• Take Action Now!• Garbage, Garbage Everywhere!

– Wisconsin Student’s Visit to a Landfill Video• Are We Running Out of Landfill Space?• The Facts About America’s Landfills• Recycling and You• Challenge Yourself• How Long Does it Take to Decompose?

Scientists agree that the burning of fossil fuels is causing global warming. Since these fuels are burned for energy, and everyone uses energy, everyone can help stop global warming just by using less energy.

Think about the things you do each day that use energy.

You don’t have to wait until you are grown to do something about global

warming.

Turn off the ‘s when you leave a room.

Take shorter ‘s. Heating water uses a lot of energy.

Plant a (or two).

Wait until you have a lot of clothes to wash before

using the .

Click each picture to see how you can help.

Wisconsin Student's Visit to a Landfill

www.eia.doe.gov

(Please click on Visit a Landfill Video Link once you enter website above)

Are We Running Out of Landfill Space?

The answer may surprise you.

Click anywhere on the map

According to much-quoted statistics from the EPA, the number oflandfills in the U.S. dropped from 7,924 in 1988 to 1,654 in 2005.

While the number of landfills has declined, the landfill capacity has increased.

Changing U.S. Landfill Numbers

Jars, bottles, Clear, green, amber

Light bulbs, dishes, Pyrex, crystal

Rinse, remove lids. Separate by color.

Newspapers, boxes, egg cartons, phone books, white office paper

Waxed, glued, plastic, or foil coated

Keep clean and dry

All aluminum – cans, pie pans, foil wrap, old windows, lawn furniture

Rinse and crush

Steel (tin) food cans

Rinse and Crush

All plastics Check with your recycler

Rinse

Material CAN be recycled

CAN’T be recycled

HOW TO DO IT

Glass

Paper

Aluminum

Steel

Plastics

Challenge YourselfEveryday, millions of pounds of trash are disposed of. Have you ever thought about what goes in the trash? Could it be recycled? Could it be burned through a burn pile? Or could it be reused in some way? Challenge yourself to become more aware of what you throw away. Think about the item you are about to throw away and decide if it can be reused or recycled rather than going to a dump.

2-4 Weeks : Banana Peel

3-5 Weeks : Newspaper

1-2 Years : Wool Cap

2-5 Years : Plastic Coated Paper Milk Cartons

10-20 Years : Cigarette Butts

20-30 Years : Leather Shoes

50-80 Years : Tin Cans

80-100 Years : Aluminum Cans

450 Years : Plastic 6 Pack Holder Ring

1 Million Years : Glass BottlesForever : Plastic Bottles

Works Cited

• www.worldwise.com/biodegradable• www.postcom.org/eco/

facts.about.landfills.htm• www.pewclimate.org• www.eia.doe.gov/kids• www.environmentaldefense.org• www.google.com