Climate Action Plan 2

Climate Action Research Luciano Santos

§ The environmental effects of non recycled plastic bottles.

Topics I need to research

§ The amount of plastic bottles not recycled in Utah per year. (Weight or number).

§ Ways to lower plastic purchases, and alternative methods.

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§ I found my sources that provided my information

How I Found my Sources

by using the internet to the best of my ability. I searched things like “ What are the effects of non recycled plastic?” and “ How much plastic is thrown in the garbage per year in Utah”.

§ 1. https://utahrecycles.org/get-the-facts/the-facts-plastic/ § A . This website is chalk full of information about recycling. Providing info as to where & how you can recycle in Utah.

§ 2. https://betterutah.org/utahs-waste-problem/ § A. I found a wonderful blog on BetterUtah.Org, describing our problem with plastic, and the different views everyone has.

Sources with Justification

§ 3. https://www.usu.edu/recycle/facts/ § A. Utah State University has a great department to facilitate recycling in Utah, it has a Facts and Figures page that breaks down the facts and needed information regarding recycling in Utah.

§ 4. https://www.standard.net/news/environment/beyondrecycling-utahns-need-to-start-thinking-about-reducingwaste/article_152e5137-d5e7-536a-a4d9e07042c5da56.html § A. Standard.net is a website providing information as what plastic can be recycled, and what it can be made into.

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§ 1. One ton of plastic saves: § 5,774 kWh of elecetricity. § 685 gallons of oil. § 98 million Btu’s of energy. § 30 cubic yards of landfill space.

Key Facts for Topic #1

§ § 2. Plastic takes 1,000 Years to degrade in a landfill. § If we recycled the other 75% we could save 1 billion gallons of oil and 44 million cubic yards of landfill space annually.

§ Citation: ( https://utahrecycles.org/get-the-facts/the-facts-pl astic/ )

§ 1. Utah is expected to double in size by 2060, and landfills around Salt Lake City are only expected to last only until 2065.

§ 2. If we want to make a better Utah,

Key Facts for Topic #2

we must change our views on plastic through efforts of businesses, legislators, and individuals

§ § Citation: ( https://betterutah.org/utahs-waste -problem/ Aug 18th, 2017 By Laura Boyer )

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§ Plastic Recycling § 1. Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour!

§ 2. 63% of U.S. communities have access to a recycling program that collects plastic.

Key Facts for Topic #3

§ 3. Every year, we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas. 10% of the average grocery bill pays for product packaging (mostly paper and plastics). That's more than what goes to farmers.

§ § Citation (https://www.usu.edu/recycle/facts/ ) §

§ 1. U.S. residents generate 258 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, according to the most recent figures from the U.S Environmental Agency.

Key Facts for Topic #4

§ 2. Only 25% of the plastic produced in the U.S. Is recycled.

§ § § Citation ( https://www.standard.net/news/environment/bey ond-recycling-utahns-need-to-start-thinking-a bout-reducing-waste/article_152e5137-d5e7-536 a-a4d9-e07042c5da56.html )

§ I think all the of facts and information I found can

Reflection on my Research

be put together shown with data to provide a clear idea of the destruction that not recycling does, specifically plastic. I think the most meaningful and catching/connecting matter would be the straight up facts.

§ In 45 years the SLC Land fill will no longer be able to be used, and at the rate we are going with a growing population something needs to change. I hope that this information grabs people and brings them in to make a change for the better for our environment.