Sean Edward Paquette
Homework Number 1
January 30, 2014
Problem 1-1:
For one week collect all the waste you would have discarded weigh and record. How does your
percentage compare to the national average? What might have been reusable? How might this be
done?
Component
Weight
Percentage of Total Weight
Paper
Plastics
Aluminum
Steel
Glass
Food
Other
Total
50%
30%
0%
0%
10%
10%
0%
100%
My percentages are consistent with the national averages. The component that could have has reusable
would be plastic. Every day I pack a lunch for work, while I do this I use new plastic bags for sandwiches
and snacks every day. I can save an reuse the plastic bags for a least one week.
Problem 1-2:
One of the least studied aspects of municipal refuse collection is the movement of the refuse from the
household to the truck. Suggest a method by which this can be improved.
An innovative technology shift within the garbage truck itself can be a new method by which the
movement of refuse from the household to the truck can be improved. For example, garbage vehicles
brake frequently and therefore rechargeable lithium ion batteries could be used for operating the
hydraulics of the truck as the refuse is dumped into the garbage truck, this will save on emission and
diesel fuel.
Problem 1-3:
Plastic bags at food stores have become ubiquitous. Often recycling advocates point to the plastic
bags as the prototype of wastage and pollution, as stuff that clogs up our landfills. Critique statement
identified in question 1-3.
This statement is false. I believe the plastic bag does not photo degrade in sunlight to the point that
normal environmental factors of the wind and rain will cause it to break into very small pieces. It will
take hundreds of years for a single plastic bag to break up into enough small pieces but still will not
disintegrate.
Problem 1-4:
The sitting of landfills is a major problem for many communities. Review statement from an engineer
employed by CH2M Hill. What is one question you would ask the company? Is their statement true?
How would you write the statement?
I would ask CH2M Hill to evaluate the cooperation of the surrounding communities and recommend
presenting it the public. I disagree with the statement primarily due to the statement regarding
environmental matters due to the lack of accountability from the environmental industry. I would make
Sean Edward Paquette
Homework Number 1
January 30, 2014
the statement reflect the need for cooperation from all surrounding supporters, the engineers, politics
and the local community.
Problem 1-5:
Suppose you are an engineer employed by a small community, and the town council tells you to
design a “recycling” program that will achieve at least 50% diversion from the landfill. What would be
your response to the town council? If you agree to try to achieve such a diversion, how would you do
it?
I would accept the idea to design a new recycling program and emphases the need for community help.
If I needed to design a recycling program that would achieve at least 50% diversion from the local town
landfill I would create a program easily adaptable for the local community. I would achieve 50%
diversion through new innovative technologies. The design of new garbage disposal cans divided into 3
or 4 sections. (Paper, Plastic, Glass and metal), furthermore, a new disposal truck capable of retaining
the separation would need to be designed and maintained.
Problem 1-6:
Same scenario as Problem 1-5, but now you are asked to develop a zero waste program. That is, the
community is to produce no solid waste whatsoever.
Again, I would accept the idea to design a new recycling program and emphases the need for
community help. If I needed to design a recycling program that would be a zero waste program I would
create a program easily adaptable for the local community and incentivize each local community or
area. I would achieve zero waste through new innovative technologies. The design of new garbage
disposal cans divided into 3 or 4 sections. (Paper, Plastic, Glass and metal), furthermore, a new disposal
truck capable of retaining the separation would need to be designed and maintained. Most important to
this zero waste program would be a financial incentive plan for each developed area. If the given district
met specific recycle goals the state could potentially prorate another town based fees.
Problem 1-7:
How might you use the principles of waste reduction in doing your food shopping at the grocery
store? Name three specific ways in which you might be able to reduce waste in the purchase of your
groceries.
Most important I would reduce the total amount of plastic I use. I would not use plastic to carry the fruit
or vegetables I purchased. Also, currently I would reusable bags rather than the paper or plastic typical
stores offer.
Problem 1-8:
We often see packaging labeled “Made from 100% recycled materials.” Why are such statements
potentially misleading?
Statements similar to the above statement are potentially misleading due mainly to the additives put
into the products to retain strength or longevity as they sit on a shelf for sale or used by a customer. I
would ask the company to provide a list additives, I would also have to company list and identify the
source of the recycled material. I would write the statement as: By quantity the three largest
ingredients/components/elements are 100% recycled. With your help we can increase the amount of
100% recycled elements. Please email My Corporation.com
Sean Edward Paquette
Homework Number 1
January 30, 2014
Problem 1-9:
Give three examples of waste reduction that you might be able to implement in your everyday life.
1. Reuse the plastic sandwich lunch bags I use during the week.
2. Return the metal hangers to the dry cleaners.
3. Use filtered tap water rather bottled water.
Problem 1-10:
Consider the meaning and purpose of the various recycling symbols shown in Figure 1-11. Which are
used solely as marketing tools and which tell you what you want to know if your intent is to buy
recycled materials?
The symbols specifying specifically what are 100% recycled are typically not 100% recycled. The symbols
only identifying as a example “recyclable paper” tells you what you want to hear and the truth although
it doesn’t identity what other elements are added to the recycled paper below national limits therefore
still be able to be recyclable. The symbol I attached represents the use of clean filtered sewage
treatment water through innovative technology systems.
Problem 1-11:
If you are responsible for marketing the paper collected by your city’s curbside collection program,
what would you tell the purchasing department if they asked you whether the city should buy copy
paper that was: 75% recycled content (55% pre-consumer and 20% post-consumer) or 50% recycled
content paper (10% pre-consumer and 40% post-consumer)
I would market option b. (50% recycled content paper (10% pre-consumer and 40% post-consumer))
This is a more accurate statement and it also states more material is being recycled other than natural
resources.
Problem 1-12:
What is the content of recycled fiber in the paper used by your school/college/department? What are
the goals established by the EPA?
The paper used at Electric Boat is the standard 81/2 x 11 staple white high resolution papers. The goals
established by the EPA are to continue emphasizing source reduction. Exceed executive order (EO)
13514’s goal by diverting 50% of non-hazardous solid water by FY 2015 by diverting 55% by fiscal year
2015. Also, the EPA is striving to achieve 75% percent diversion of construction and demolition
materials and debris. Furthermore, continue to reduce printing paper use through duplex printing
requirements, and continue to exceed the requirement to purchase printing and writing paper with 30%
postconsumer content.
Problem 1-13:
Of the six types of plastic shown in Figure 1-4, how many can be recycled in your community?
Plastics 1 through 7 can be recycled in the Rocky Hill community in which I live.
Problem 1-14:
Redraw Figure 1-2 to reflect a society that has achieved its goal of zero waste.
Sean Edward Paquette
Homework Number 1
January 30, 2014
See attached illustration.
Problem 1-15:
Which of the following items can be placed in the recycling bins at your campus and in the community
that you live, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and clear plastic bags?
At RPI aluminum cans and paper can be recycled. Where I currently work one can recycle glass bottles,
aluminum cans and plastic.