Skip to main content
Other Articles

Respecting Our Resources

By the Numbers

Paper or plastic? Your response to this common query at the checkout line may be a matter of personal preference, but a debate continues over which method of packaging is more eco-friendly.

Before your next transaction, check out these stats related to the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Reduce Reuse Recycle sack

258 Million

The number of tons of municipal solid waste generated in the United States in 2014.

Great Pyramid of Giza

Picture the Great Pyramid of Giza. Now imagine 126 of them. That’s how much space all of that trash takes up once it has been compacted. While nearly half of 2014’s waste was recycled or burned, about 136 million tons—equivalent to the volume of 67 pyramids—took up residence in landfills.

Sources: us Environmental Protection Agency, New World Encyclopedia

10

The number of states with beverage container deposit laws.

green glass bottles

Think twice before throwing that can or bottle in the trash—or even in the recycling bin. If you reside in a “bottle bill” state—California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, or Vermont—you can cash in select containers at your local redemption center for a refund of two to fifteen cents.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures

31%

The percentage of wasted food at the retail and consumer levels.

oddly shaped green and red pepper

Discarded food takes up more space in municipal landfills than any other form of waste. To help lower the ratio, be more mindful when purchasing, using, and discarding food. Planning meals, using food before its expiration date, and maintaining a compost heap can all help make a dent. And speaking of dents, give imperfect produce a chance.

Source: US Department of Agriculture

18,226


The number of used merchandise stores in the United States in 2015.

shirts hanging on a rack

Was donating to or purchasing from Deseret Industries a part of your Provo experience while attending the Marriott School? Secondhand, thrift, consignment, and other forms of resale shops not only keep products out of landfills but also give shoppers a shot at a bargain and donors an opportunity for a tax deduction.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

34.7

The number of gallons of water wasted annually by a faucet that drips once a minute.

water dripping out of a faucet

Aside from being annoying, a small leak in your plumbing could lead to damage in your home or office and raise your water bill. After you fix that leaky faucet, you can further conserve water by shortening your time in the shower, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, and watering your yard in the morning instead of in the afternoon.

Sources: US Geological Survey, US Environmental Protection Agency

9.67 billion

The number of gallons of bottled water consumed in the United States in 2012.

plastic water bottles of different shapes

The size of disposable water containers varies, but a 2007 estimate put the total number of plastic water bottles tossed each year in the United States above 38 billion. The health benefits of drinking more water are indisputable, but so are the ecological benefits of using a refillable container.

Sources: International Bottled Water Association, Ban the Bottle

Related Stories

data-content-type="article"

A Tanner Tribute

March 26, 2024 08:28 AM
Now in its 40th year, the N. Eldon Tanner Building is as busy and vibrant as ever, serving as home base to six graduate and nine undergraduate programs.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Exploring Voluntourism

November 27, 2023 12:50 PM
Voluntourism is an attractive option for those who want to immerse themselves in new cultures while making a difference. It’s a lucrative industry but not all experiences are beneficial across the board.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

The Good Argument

July 17, 2023 12:13 PM
Is there such a thing as a good argument? It may not come naturally for many of us, but what writer Buster Benson calls “productive disagreement” can be learned and harnessed to make real change.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=