Alarming Study Reveals Environmental Concerns Declining

A 40 year study has found a decline in youths interested in environmental conservation. This study has concluded that younger Americans are less civic minded than those of generations past.

The results of the study contra indicate widespread belief that younger generations are more environmentally conscious.  When surveyed, young voters often cite the environment as a top concern. According to researchers, 1/3 of baby boomers, when surveyed decades ago, listed the environment as a top concern. Comparatively only 25% of millennial's listed the environment as a top concern. 

Furthermore 15% of millennials said they made no effort to help the environment. This is compared to 8% of Gen Xers, and 5% of young baby boomers who were surveyed.

Source:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-03-15/news/31198596_1_millennials-baby-boomers-young-adults

Interested in teaching your students more about the environment? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Environment – Science for a Healthy Planet.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about the environment? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

E-Cycling

We’ve all heard of recycling paper, plastic, and metals, but what about the electronic waste that adds to the surmounting landfills every day?  E-recycling programs, such as the Oregon E-Cycles Program are looking to address the growing issue of cell phones, computers, and televisions in landfills.  In the first six months of 2011, Oregon E-Cycles collected 12.2 million pounds of e-waste for recycling. 

This free service has met its recycling goals every year since 2009.  E-cycles is well on its way to meeting its 22.95 million pound goal for 2011.  This increase is due to Oregon’s ban of computer and monitor disposal that went into effect in 2010.  Many consumers are unaware of e-waste’s highly toxic effect in landfills; thus the disposal ban and E-Cycling program.

Source:

http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf/2011/08/state_e-recycling_shows_gains.html

For more information on recycling technologies, check out SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT’s Volume 40 episode: RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY – Waste Not, Want Not
http://www.ssrvideo.com/vol40.html#3

The Unrecyclable's Second Chance

The recent news in recycling technology is that Kraft Foods and Nestlé have partnered with Enval to find a solution to recycling containers previously thought to be unrecyclable.  Enval’s specialty is recycling laminated packaging commonly found in food pouches, toothpaste tubes, and aseptic drinking cartons.

The goal is to build a commercial recycling plant for these materials to go to for recycling.  This patented technology separates the materials into individual components such as aluminum and plastic; bringing us all a step closer to complete recycling of post-consumer waste. 

http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/518951-Mega_food_companies_support_emerging_technology_for_recycling_laminated_packaging.php

http://www.enval.com/

For more information on recycling technologies, check out SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT’s Volume 40 episode: RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY – Waste Not, Want Not

http://www.ssrvideo.com/vol40.html#3