The Importance of Waste Separation
Separation of waste at its’ source allows for efficient reuse and recycling of the waste we generate. Waste separation accomplishes two main goals
- Reduction of garbage dumps – less trash is sent to landfills and less fuel is burned, releasing destructive toxins into the atmosphere, in transporting garbage. Israel’s average waste quantity is 2 kg a day per person, and this number increases by about 5% each year.
- Environmental awareness – the separation of waste at source increases our awareness of the vast quantities of waste we throw in the trash every day. Waste separation introduces the option of reusing materials that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.
Waste Separation at The Solar Garden
Here at The Solar garden we accumulate and separate nearly all waste we generate. We have a Waste Separation Center that serves as a source of raw material for both building in different areas of The Garden, and the creative workshops we run. Through our separation of waste, we reduce that much of what would otherwise be shipped off to the municipal recycling center in Binyamina.
A tour of The Solar Garden includes sessions that illustrate the simplicity of the separation of waste and its importance. You can also sign up for workshops and courses run by solar garden artists and instructors who teach the creation of useful products using various waste materials. All of the raw materials for our workshops are taken directly from our Waste Separation Center.
Five R’s for a Greener World
The Solar Garden lives by the 5 R’s:
- Reduce: Look around you. Do you really need all that stuff? Before buying something new, survey what already exists around you. And “Reduce” doesn’t only apply to material possessions- when we reduce our energy consumption, our driving, and our magazine subscriptions, we reduce the amount of toxins we emit into our world.
- Reuse: When we feel like something should be thrown away, we take another look. And sometimes we take 2 or 3 more looks- every object or even part of an object, can be used in a multitude of ways.
- Recycle: Most people only think of soda cans and excess paper as the extent of their recycling. Car batteries, tires, motor oil, old cell phones, paint, carpeting- so many items can be recycled when you consider recycling a viable option for getting rid of something.
- Renew: Use renewable resources whenever possible. Use paper before using plastic, because more trees can always be planted. Use energy from the sun and the wind, because they will continue regardless.
- Respect: We have only one Earth; we must treat it with respect. Tread lightly, acknowledge all that your natural surroundings provide for you, and take only what you need.
How To Separate Waste
Designate and clearly label collection containers and place in different materials in each one to serve as a clear example. One container each for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, and any other waste material is generated by the specific location. The more detailed the category, the easier it is to reuse the waste materials. We recommend the following examples: one container for plastic bottles, one for small boxes, one for large boxes, lids, etc..
An optimal location for the collection containers is in the yard of the house or building because that allows for the easiest access to materials for reuse, or transportation to the local recycling center. Recycling centers can be found in each city. The most common waste materials they collect are plastic or glass bottles, cardboard,and paper , but some cities also collect metal, wood, old clothes and more.
Reuse of materials from the recycling containers depends on all of us. Solar garden workshops we provide for reuse of recycled materials but anyone can start the imagination and create more useful products from waste thrown garbage cans regularly
Recycle, Reuse, Renew, Repair