Understanding Household Solid Waste The table below shows the percentage composi

Question

Understanding Household Solid Waste The table below shows the percentage composition of typical municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by a household in the United States according to a 2007 report by the EPA. Consider a household that has four residents and generates 4 pounds of MSW per day per person. The tipping fee in their location is $60 per U.S. ton. The household has already reduced its amount of garbage through reducing and reusing materials, but now wants to lower the amount further by recycling. The major recyclables in the waste stream of this household are paper, plastic, glass, and metals. Use the preceding table and information to answer the following questions: (a) How much MSW does the household generate in a month (31 days)? (b) How much MSW does the household generate in a year (365 days)? (c) How much does the household pay for tipping fees each year? (d) Approximately how long does it take the household to generate a ton of MSW? (e) If the household decided to compost all of its food scraps, paper, and yard trimmings, how much would it save on tipping fees each year? (f) If the household decided to recycle all of its plastic and glass, how much would it save on tipping fees each year? (g) How much would the household save if it did both composting and recycling as in e and f, and how much MSW would it generate a year as a result?

Explanation / Answer

1.
1 day-4 persons each 4 pounds
per day 4x4= 16 pounds
for 31 days 16x31= 496 pounds of MSW

2.
per day= 16 pounds
for 365 days= 5840 pounds of MSW

3.
1 Ton= 2000 pounds
for 1 ton 60$
5840 pounds
2000+2000+1840
for 2000 pounds 60$ , for 1840 pounds?

(1840x60$)/2000
=55.2$

for each year= 60+60+55.2= 175.2$

4.
1 Ton= 2000 pounds
16 pounds- 1 day
2000 pounds-?
2000/16
=125days

5.
per year 5840 pounds overall
food scraps= 12.5%= 730 pounds
paper= 32.7%= 1909.68 pounds
yard trimming= 12.8%= 747.52 pounds

730+1909.68+747.52= 3387.2 pounds
= 101.61$ can save

6. glass- 12.1%=706.64 pounds
plastic= 8.2%=478.88 pounds
metal-5.3%= 309.52 pounds

total= 1495.04 pounds
=44.8512$

7.
3387.2+1495.04=4882.24 pounds

so overall MSW generate after composting and recycling= 5840-4882.24= 957.76 pounds

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