Recycling Plastic Bottles in Room 208Recycling Plastic

Bottles in Room 208

A Futuristic ProjectionFrom ERHS

October 2008J. Tomsen

A Futuristic ProjectionFrom ERHS

October 2008J. Tomsen

Two Million Plastic Bottles (The number used in the US every 5 minutes)

Two Million Plastic Bottles (The number used in the US every 5 minutes)

Chris Jordan. Running the Numbers.Chris Jordan. Running the Numbers.

ProblemProblem

• Every day after school, we observe a trashcan full of aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and other recyclables.

• Every day after school, we observe a trashcan full of aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and other recyclables.

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

• How much space could we save in the landfill if we took our plastic bottles to the recycle center instead?

• How much space could we save if other classrooms and schools did it as well?

• How much space could we save in the landfill if we took our plastic bottles to the recycle center instead?

• How much space could we save if other classrooms and schools did it as well?

Plastic Recycling Facts

Plastic Recycling Facts

• In 2006, Americans used 38 BILLION plastic bottles.

• It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture a year’s supply of bottled water. That’s enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars.

• Plastic Bottles take 700 years before they can BEGIN to decompose.

• 8 out of 10 bottles become landfill waste.

• In 2006, Americans used 38 BILLION plastic bottles.

• It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture a year’s supply of bottled water. That’s enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars.

• Plastic Bottles take 700 years before they can BEGIN to decompose.

• 8 out of 10 bottles become landfill waste.

Source Earth911

Why should I recycle?Why should I recycle?• In 1988 the EPA tested 50 US Landfills. 43 of the 50 landfills (or 86%) had definitely contaminated groundwater. Half the American people draw their drinking water from groundwater.

• There are over 200,000 landfills in the USA today.

• Oil is a non-renewable resource…no matter how you look at it.

• In 1988 the EPA tested 50 US Landfills. 43 of the 50 landfills (or 86%) had definitely contaminated groundwater. Half the American people draw their drinking water from groundwater.

• There are over 200,000 landfills in the USA today.

• Oil is a non-renewable resource…no matter how you look at it.

Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News

Let’s Run the Numbers…Let’s Run the Numbers…

Crates of Bottles, Number of Bottles ,Landfill Space SavedWeek 1 Sept 29 1 15 300 cm3Week 2 October 6 0.5 7 150 cm3Week 3 October 13 0.5 7 150 cm3Totals 2 29 900 cm3Averages 0.666666667 9.666666667 150 cm3

If All Classrooms at ERHS Recycle Plastic Bottles

Week 1 42 630 12600Week 2 21 294 6300Week 3 21 294 6300Totals 84 1218 25200Averages 28 406 8400 =84 m3

If all Large High Schools in the ASD Recycle Bottles

Week 1 336 5040 100800Week 2 168 2352 100800Week 3 168 2352 100800Totals 672 9744 302400Averages 224 3248 100800=1.01km3!!!

Crates of Bottles, Number of Bottles ,Landfill Space SavedWeek 1 Sept 29 1 15 300 cm3Week 2 October 6 0.5 7 150 cm3Week 3 October 13 0.5 7 150 cm3Totals 2 29 900 cm3Averages 0.666666667 9.666666667 150 cm3

If All Classrooms at ERHS Recycle Plastic Bottles

Week 1 42 630 12600Week 2 21 294 6300Week 3 21 294 6300Totals 84 1218 25200Averages 28 406 8400 =84 m3

If all Large High Schools in the ASD Recycle Bottles

Week 1 336 5040 100800Week 2 168 2352 100800Week 3 168 2352 100800Totals 672 9744 302400Averages 224 3248 100800=1.01km3!!!

What is one Cubic Kilometer Equal to?What is one Cubic

Kilometer Equal to?• The amount of water that flows out the Mississippi River Every Day (AVAYA)

• About half of the amount of oil the world uses every year (The Oil Drum)

• A solid block of gold weighing over 3 MILLION pounds! (magnetman.com)

• 15 Olympic Sized Swimming Pools!

• The amount of water that flows out the Mississippi River Every Day (AVAYA)

• About half of the amount of oil the world uses every year (The Oil Drum)

• A solid block of gold weighing over 3 MILLION pounds! (magnetman.com)

• 15 Olympic Sized Swimming Pools!

We can make a difference!

We can make a difference!

So pop those plastic bottles in the recycle bin, and save yourself and your children a little space on our planet today!

So pop those plastic bottles in the recycle bin, and save yourself and your children a little space on our planet today!

ReferencesReferences

• Bentley, John. Tricks of the Programming Trade. AVAYA. www.dave-reed.com/APCS/Bentley.pdf

October 20th, 2008.

• Earth 911. Plastic Recycling Facts. http://earth911.org/recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling-facts/

October 20th, 2008.

• Experiments with Magnets and Conductors. http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magconda.htm

October 20th, 2008.

• Jordan, Chris. Running the Numbers. http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id

October 20th, 2008.

• Oil Drum, The. That Cubic Mile. http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2320 October 20th, 2008.

• Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News. #176. April 11th, 1991. http://www.ejnet.org/rachel/rhwn176.htm

• Bentley, John. Tricks of the Programming Trade. AVAYA. www.dave-reed.com/APCS/Bentley.pdf

October 20th, 2008.

• Earth 911. Plastic Recycling Facts. http://earth911.org/recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling-facts/

October 20th, 2008.

• Experiments with Magnets and Conductors. http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magconda.htm

October 20th, 2008.

• Jordan, Chris. Running the Numbers. http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id

October 20th, 2008.

• Oil Drum, The. That Cubic Mile. http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2320 October 20th, 2008.

• Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News. #176. April 11th, 1991. http://www.ejnet.org/rachel/rhwn176.htm