What is a Municipal Recycling Facility (MRF)? May 30, 2016 A Municipal Recycling Facility (MRF) is a location where waste is taken to be separated and processed before being sold to manufacturers for reuse. Households leave recyclable refuse out on the curb for collection. This waste is picked up by trucks which deliver the recyclable waste to the MRF for separation and processing. Depending on the system of streams used by the community-recycling program, the waste may be grouped to one stream or more though…

What is a Windrow? May 30, 2016 A Windrow is an elongated mound made from compostable material. Farmers commonly use these hills as a method of producing compost. In this process, farmers collect raw materials to form these mounds, making sure that they are peaked on top for rainfall to land evenly. These mounds have to be watched and regularly turned to ensure that the materials are distributed evenly and that there is no buildup of moisture. The advantage of using windrows is that they…

What are Secondary Materials? May 30, 2016 Secondary Materials are materials that have been used, recycled and sold for use in manufacturing. These products allow for less reliance on the search for new raw resources for items such as paper, aluminum and plastic. It is advantageous in the sustainable use of resources so that these materials can be maintained for longer periods. The use of secondary materials is not a new concept. Society has used secondary materials as early as 2000 B.C., where bronze was…

What is Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA)? May 30, 2016 The Resource Conservation Recovery Act was a bill on environmental regulation that was passed by the United States Congress on 21 October 1976. It was introduced to address the growing problem of municipal and industrial refuse throughout the country. The bill seeks to protect people and the environment from hazards of waste disposal; save energy and resources; reduce waste, and provide environmentally safe waste management. The Act was amended in 1984 to include the minimization…

What does Reclamation mean? May 30, 2016 When businesses leave from certain areas, there is a chance that their actions have caused some damage to the surrounding environment. Reclamation is the idea of returning the environment back to conditions before these businesses arrived. This practice is seen especially in the mining industry, where the search for minerals can leave lasting effects on the excavated region. Reclamation is necessary for the sustainability of land and for the good of humans. The constant need for raw materials…