What were things like in 2002?
The following idicator summary is from the 2002 Minnesota Milestones and does not neccessarily reflect the current data trends.Indicator : Solid waste and recycling
The tons of solid waste generated per person each year in Minnesota increased from .88 tons in 1991 to 1.15 tons per person in 2000. The base recycling rate rose from 33.7 percent in 1992 to 40.3 percent in 2000, where it has remained mostly unchanged since 1996. After adding in yard waste and source reduction credits to the base rate, the recycling rate shows an increase from 36 percent in 1991 to 48 percent in 2000. While Minnesota's population grew by 11 percent between 1991 and 2000, total generation of solid waste grew by 44 percent.
The amount of solid waste Minnesotans produce and the portion they recycle have significant economic and environmental impacts. More waste means having to spend more on waste management. In addition, waste accumulates faster than natural systems are able to break it down.
Tracking the amount of solid waste by weight provides no information about the relative toxicity of what is thrown away. Materials containing toxic heavy metals, such as electronics, pose a growing challenge.
A 1989 study by the National Academy of Engineering estimates that more than 90 percent of the materials used in commercial activity do not turn up in durable goods, and quickly become waste. The study found that of the more than 10 tons of mass extracted per person annually in the United States, (excluding atmospheric oxygen and fresh water), roughly 75 percent is nonrenewable and 25 percent is renewable. This suggests that there are opportunities to create the same or greater economic value using fewer resources. Other national research suggests that continual reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing of materials and more efficient processes could cut resource use more than 90 percent in most sectors of the economy.
The solid waste that is tracked for this indicator does not include yard waste, auto hulks, street sweepings, ash, construction debris, mining waste, sludge, tree and agricultural waste, tires, lead acid batteries, motor and vehicle fluids and filters or other materials collected as separate waste streams, such as hazardous waste.
This edition of Minnesota Milestones reports a higher recycling rate for 1996 than was reported in 1998 because the updated figure includes the base recycling rate plus credits for yard waste and source reduction.
Starting in 1995, yard waste was not included in the state's base recycling rate. Instead, the state mandated a credit system for yard waste and source reduction activities to be added to the base recycling rate.
- Amount of solid waste by disposal method, such as recycled, composted, and incinerated (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, www.pca.state.mn.us; or Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, www.moea.state.mn.us)
- Toxic chemical production, disposal and release into the environment (Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Emergency Response Commission, www.erc.state.mn.us; or Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, www.pca.state.mn.us)