What Do We Know About Local Waste Reduction?
At Hanover’s 4th of July celebration, Sustainable Hanover (SH) invited people to take a quick fun quiz about local waste reduction. Quiz results showed participants had excellent knowledge in some areas, and gaps in a few others. These encounters also inspired interesting discussions between participants and SH volunteers, who appreciated the concern many showed about the impact of waste on the environment. All quiz takers were entered in a drawing for free coffee at Lou’s. The drawing winner was Brian Edwards.
From the quiz results, SH learned that many people are not aware that the Lebanon landfill, where Hanover’s trash is taken, is expected to reach its permitted capacity in 5 years. The majority (60%) guessed the landfill is set for another 10 or more years before reaching its currently permitted capacity.
A 5 year timeline adds urgency to the need to reduce the volume of waste sent to the Lebanon landfill, so it was good that nearly everyone answered a question about “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” correctly. This slogan is meant as a reminder that consuming less is a more effective waste reduction strategy than recycling. Some participants wished for more assurance that items they put into collection bins are actually recycled.
One quiz question tested knowledge about materials that should or should not be put into Hanover’s curbside recycling bin. Almost everyone knew glass is not accepted; however, only 40% correctly identified Public Works at 194 Lebanon Street as an in-town location for recycling glass jars and bottles.
Similarly, only a minority of the quiz takers demonstrated familiarity with the full extent of services available at the Lebanon’s Recycling Center. The Center expanded in recent years to include accepting clean plastic bags and film. And food scraps in paper or compostable bags can now be dropped off for composting. The Lebanon Recycling Center is located adjacent to the landfill at 370 Plainfield Road, West Lebanon.
For all questions about keeping items out of landfill through reuse or recycling, download the BetterBin app from the App Store or Google Play. BetterBin is a free app which has been customized for members of our community to identify what goes into Hanover’s curbside recycling, what can go to the Lebanon Recycling Center (which is more extensive than curbside recycling), and many additional options for donating items that are not accepted either through curbside or Lebanon recycling. Instructions for getting started with the BetterBin app is available at https://sustainablehanovernh.org/recycling-and-waste
Hanover Pubic Works Glass Recycling