Yes!! plastic bags are a environmental nightmare, they cause a massive amount of litter and are difficult to recycle. In 2006 there were 100 billion or more plastic bags consumed in North America, all produced from 12 million barrels of oil. Most of these plastic bags end up at landfill sites, but because they are so light they cause a litter problem in towns, cities and the countyside.

Plastic bags are one of the few products that recyclers will not take in their sorting plants, if on a rare occasion a plastic bag is recycled it is turned into a plastic lumber.

One of the reason farmers give for the use of pesticides is that they can’t grow enough crops for everyone without them. But when looked into the basis of nutrition, protein and flavor, rather than weight organic fairs best per acre. This was proven at the Rodale Institute where long running trials have looked into organic food.

Recycling saves money and energy savings. This is true of all the recycling markets that are well developed. However, recycling is only part of the hierarchy of energy and materials. When you look at the bigger picture, the best option is to reduce the consumption of these products.

Waste prevention is the cheapest option, if it takes the form of things like not buying bottled water or the minimization of consumption by choosing products that do not create waste. The reuse of components and re-purposing items is the best course of action, which often leads to the creation of new wealth in the form of up-cycle components.

Recycling and energy recovery, such as the tapping of reserves of methane from landfills are the best options. Expended of energy is higher, but at a savings rate higher than fthe cost of disposal, which is the most wasteful use.

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You can now find out in our updated Sustainable Development section, packed with very useful guides.

Please take a look, you’ll find the answer at the top of the page.

Glass is one of the longest products with a history of being recycled, but because it has the lowest material and energy returns, also it breaks in transit, very hard to handle it often ends up in landfill sites.

Years ago, glass bottles were reused, milk bottles were returned, cleaned and reused. This could well happen again in the near future, this would save a lot of energy as it’s usually used by local dairies.

Over the coming years supplies and quality of fresh water will come strained, which is due in part to climate change and an ever increasing population. It’s in the interest of everyone to do there best for conserving water and sustainable development looks to save water through the design of buildings and educating people.

One way to save water is to use a water butt to collect water to irrigate your vegetables or lawn. In the home you can install low flow taps and showers. If you operate a business you can hire a professional to do a water audit, or you can undertake this job yourself. Doing this simple audit can save a good deal of water and save money for your company too, just by making simple changes or tweaks.