The United States has a waste problem. Over 35 years ago the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began collecting and reporting data on the generation and disposal of waste in our country. They found that Americans had generated over 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018. This amounts to about 4.9 pounds per person per day. It’s a lot of waste. They also reported that around 146.2 tons of that waste had ended up in landfills. The EPA also found that 93.9 tons of the waste had been recycled and composted.
Here in Nevada, we generate nearly double the national average of waste every year– totaling roughly 8 pounds per person. As a state, we continue to fall short of our statewide goal to recycle 25 percent of the waste we accumulate each year. To reach that goal Nevadans will need to really ramp up their efforts. The American Society of Civil Engineers reported that as a state we will need to recycle the equivalent of at least 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools of waste each year.
The Las Vegas and Reno regions alone have managed to be successful with recycling efforts, with at least 25 percent of the waste accumulated in these regions recycled each year. These areas see much of their waste thanks to tourism.
If you’re looking to pitch in and help cut back on waste disposal, Western Elite can help!
Check Out One of Our Local Material Recovery Centers
Western Elite offers more than just convenient dumpster rental services. We have two material recovery centers conveniently located to service Summerlin, Henderson and Las Vegas. One of the centers is located just west of the Las Vegas Strip while the other is close to the Nellis Air Force Base. Because they’re so close to I-15, it’s easy to drop in.
Our material recovery centers are perfect for:
- Landscapers who haul their own waste
- Contractors clearing a construction site
- Green waste
- Waste caused by demolition
- People who don’t want to wait in long lines at the dump
Recycling at Our Material Recovery Centers
At Western Elite we understand how important it is for our environment to cut down on the amount of municipal solid waste that is disposed of. We are proud to be one of the biggest recyclers in the state of Nevada. At our material recovery centers, we are able to sort 100 percent of the waste we collect. Next, we take the time to remove any materials that can be recycled.
If you want a simple way to make a positive impact on the environment, recycling is the way to do it. Recycling is crucial to cut down on the waste filling our landfills and it helps to keep our world greener. It’s one part of the three R’s of sustainability, along with reduce and reuse.
Over time the amount of waste we create is increasing. In 2018, the World Bank reported that global waste is projected to increase by 70 percent if we don’t do something. A few reasons for that include:
The Population is Increasing
Right now in the United States, the average annual growth rate of the population is decreasing, but there are still new people born here every day which means more waste. The United States Census Bureau projects that our population will increase by 0.66 percent by 2025.
Lifestyle Changes
More people are ordering takeout these days and many of the containers still aren’t biodegradable.
People are Buying More
Increased wealth means that people have more money to spend on products that end up creating more waste.
Recycling is an easy way to help cut back on the waste that’s sent to the landfill. It also cuts down on dangerous emissions, such as methane, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases, from being released into the air. It can help reduce the demand for new raw materials, helping companies build their sustainability. Recycling also helps us to create a more beautiful and eco-friendly world for our children.
Choose Western Elite Material Recovery Centers
At Western Elite we are passionate about our community and our ecosystem. Our material recovery centers give us the opportunity to work towards a sustainable future. To learn more about our material recovery centers or rent a dumpster for your next project, give us a call at 702-550-0190. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.
