1 00:00:03,737 --> 00:00:05,872 >>> PRESENTATION OF "SCIENCE TREK" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION 2 00:00:05,872 --> 00:00:10,276 IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA 3 00:00:10,276 --> 00:00:12,912 MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE 4 00:00:12,912 --> 00:00:18,251 MOORE FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO. 5 00:00:18,251 --> 00:00:21,354 >> WHEN YOU TOSS SOMETHING INTO THE TRASH, SCIENCE TAKES OVER. 6 00:00:21,354 --> 00:00:25,025 SCIENTISTS ARE FINDING WAYS TO DISPOSE OF TRASH AND PROTECT THE 7 00:00:25,025 --> 00:00:25,525 ENVIRONMENT. 8 00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:28,194 WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT GARBAGE. 9 00:00:28,194 --> 00:00:33,933 STAY TUNED, "SCIENCE TREK" IS NEXT. 10 00:00:35,735 --> 00:00:39,406 * 11 00:00:41,107 --> 00:00:43,777 >>> HI, I'M JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN, AND WELCOME TO "SCIENCE TREK." 12 00:00:43,777 --> 00:00:46,413 AND WELCOME TO THE ADA COUNTY LANDFILL. 13 00:00:46,413 --> 00:00:48,648 WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT GARBAGE. 14 00:00:48,648 --> 00:00:55,655 BUT BEFORE WE DO, LET'S LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE. 15 00:00:55,655 --> 00:00:58,625 >> ALL RIGHT, MOM, I'LL DO IT, I CAN'T BELIEVE I ALWAYS HAVE TO 16 00:00:58,625 --> 00:01:00,226 TAKE OUT OF TRASH. 17 00:01:00,226 --> 00:01:05,065 >> THE PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH GARBAGE ISN'T NEW, PEOPLE HAVE 18 00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:08,702 ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH TAKING OUT THE TRASH. 19 00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:11,071 >> HAY WHAT, ARE YOU DOING DOWN IN THERE. 20 00:01:11,071 --> 00:01:14,074 >> WANT TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR GARBAGE GOES? 21 00:01:14,074 --> 00:01:14,974 >> OKAY. 22 00:01:14,974 --> 00:01:17,711 >> AMERICANS CREATE MORE GARBAGE PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER 23 00:01:17,711 --> 00:01:19,379 COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. 24 00:01:19,379 --> 00:01:22,716 4.4 POUNDS FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD EVERY DAY. 25 00:01:22,716 --> 00:01:26,353 THAT'S A LOT OF GARBAGE AND ALL THAT TRASH NEEDS TO GO 26 00:01:26,353 --> 00:01:27,287 SOMEWHERE. 27 00:01:27,287 --> 00:01:31,358 TRUCKS LIKE THIS COLLECT TRASH FROM PEOPLE'S HOMES AND 28 00:01:31,358 --> 00:01:31,991 BUSINESSES. 29 00:01:31,991 --> 00:01:34,561 THIS IS CALLED MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE. 30 00:01:34,561 --> 00:01:38,531 MOST GARBAGE IN THIS COMMUNITY GOES TO A DUMP ALSO KNOWN AS A 31 00:01:38,531 --> 00:01:39,466 SANITARY LANDFILL. 32 00:01:39,466 --> 00:01:41,568 HERE THE GARBAGE IS BURIED. 33 00:01:41,568 --> 00:01:45,105 SANITARY LANDFILLS ARE USUALLY FAR FROM PEOPLE, LIVESTOCK AND 34 00:01:45,105 --> 00:01:48,274 WATER, BECAUSE GARBAGE CAN CARRY DISEASE. 35 00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:50,744 LANDFILLS HAVE LOTS OF RULES THAT HELP PROTECT THE 36 00:01:50,744 --> 00:01:53,213 ENVIRONMENT AND KEEP ALL OF US SAFE. 37 00:01:53,213 --> 00:01:56,116 TODAY, MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICA'S GARBAGE ENDS UP IN 38 00:01:56,116 --> 00:01:57,617 LANDFILLS LIKE THIS ONE. 39 00:01:57,617 --> 00:01:59,519 BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM. 40 00:01:59,519 --> 00:02:00,687 >> WHAT? 41 00:02:00,687 --> 00:02:02,989 >> WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF ROOM. 42 00:02:02,989 --> 00:02:08,628 BY 2050 SOME ESTIMATE HUMANS WILL PRODUCE 29.4 BILLION TONS 43 00:02:08,628 --> 00:02:09,996 OF TRASH. 44 00:02:09,996 --> 00:02:11,798 WE CAN'T BURY IT ALL. 45 00:02:11,798 --> 00:02:16,636 SOME GARBAGE IS TAKEN TO A WASTE AND ENERGY PLANT, A WASTE TO 46 00:02:16,636 --> 00:02:19,506 ENERGY PLANT BURNS THE GARBAGE TO CREATE ENERGY. 47 00:02:19,506 --> 00:02:23,510 WASTE TO ENERGY PLANTS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE LATE 1800s. 48 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:28,014 TODAY THE UNITED STATES BURN BUSY 17% OF ITS SOLID WASTE. 49 00:02:28,014 --> 00:02:32,018 BUT BURNING GARBAGE CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND 50 00:02:32,018 --> 00:02:33,987 WE HAVE SO MUCH TRASH WE CAN'T BURN IT ALL. 51 00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:36,556 WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH ALL OUR GARBAGE. 52 00:02:36,556 --> 00:02:38,725 IT'S A REAL PROBLEM. 53 00:02:38,725 --> 00:02:44,464 BUT YOU CAN HELP STARTING IN YOUR OWN HOME. 54 00:02:44,464 --> 00:02:45,098 >> WHOA! 55 00:02:45,098 --> 00:02:45,932 THAT WAS WILD. 56 00:02:45,932 --> 00:02:48,635 NOW I SEE THAT GARBAGE IS A BIG PROBLEM. 57 00:02:48,635 --> 00:02:51,271 WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? 58 00:02:51,271 --> 00:02:54,841 >> WELL, WE ALL CUT DOWN ON HOW MUCH TRASH WE MAKE. 59 00:02:54,841 --> 00:02:58,878 START BY REDUCING THE AM OF WASTE WE PRODUCE IN THE FIRST 60 00:02:58,878 --> 00:03:00,847 PLACE, THIS IS CALL SOURCE REDUCTION. 61 00:03:00,847 --> 00:03:02,582 THE SECOND WAY TO HELP IS TO REUSE. 62 00:03:02,582 --> 00:03:07,087 FOR EXAMPLE, SOME PLACES EXCHANGE FILLED MILK BOTTLES FOR 63 00:03:07,087 --> 00:03:12,359 EMPTY ONES, THEN THE DAIRY CAN CLEAN AND REUSE THE GLASS 64 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:16,162 BOTTLED CUTTING DOWN ON WASTE. 65 00:03:16,162 --> 00:03:18,598 THIS MEANS LESS GARBAGE HAS TO GO TO THE LANDFILL. 66 00:03:18,598 --> 00:03:22,369 THE THIRD WAY ALL OF US CAN HELP SOLVENT WORLD'S GARBAGE PROBLEM 67 00:03:22,369 --> 00:03:23,636 IS TO RECYCLE. 68 00:03:23,636 --> 00:03:26,539 RECYCLING MEANS TO USE SOMETHING AGAIN. 69 00:03:26,539 --> 00:03:30,510 OLD METAL CANS ARE USED TO MAKE NEW CANS OR OTHER ITEMS THAT 70 00:03:30,510 --> 00:03:31,611 NEED METAL. 71 00:03:31,611 --> 00:03:34,914 OLD NEWSPAPERS ARE RECYCLED TO MAKE NEW NEWSPAPERS. 72 00:03:34,914 --> 00:03:39,652 LOTS OF PLACES GIVE FAMILIES SPECIAL CONTAINERS TO SORT ITEMS 73 00:03:39,652 --> 00:03:42,288 SUCH AS LUMINOUS, PLASTIC AND PAPER. 74 00:03:42,288 --> 00:03:45,658 THESE ITEMS ARE SOMETIMES SENT OFF TO BE RECYCLED. 75 00:03:45,658 --> 00:03:49,095 OTHER PLACES HAVE COMMON CONTAINERS WHERE PEOPLE CAN 76 00:03:49,095 --> 00:03:52,032 LEAVE THINGS TO BE PICKED UP AND RECYCLED. 77 00:03:52,032 --> 00:03:54,534 IT'LL TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THE 78 00:03:54,534 --> 00:03:54,834 ENVIRONMENT. 79 00:03:54,834 --> 00:03:57,771 YOU CAN HELP BY REMEMBERING YOUR THREE Rs. 80 00:03:57,771 --> 00:03:59,973 REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE. 81 00:03:59,973 --> 00:04:03,777 BY DOING THAT, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD'S WASTE 82 00:04:03,777 --> 00:04:05,512 PROBLEM. 83 00:04:05,512 --> 00:04:07,047 >> REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. 84 00:04:07,047 --> 00:04:08,214 THAT'S EASY. 85 00:04:08,214 --> 00:04:11,418 HEY, MOM, HAVE YOU HEARD OF COMPOSTING? 86 00:04:11,418 --> 00:04:14,354 IT'S A GREAT WAY TO REDUCE OUR AMOUNT OF GARBAGE. 87 00:04:14,354 --> 00:04:17,323 >> AND JOINING ME TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT GARBAGE, ARE 88 00:04:17,323 --> 00:04:21,327 MEGAN DURRELL, TREASURE RECYCLING COORDINATOR FOR THE 89 00:04:21,327 --> 00:04:25,799 STIFF BOYCE SEE, AND TED HUTCHINSON, DEPARTMENT SOLID 90 00:04:25,799 --> 00:04:28,101 WASTE DIRECTOR FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT. 91 00:04:28,101 --> 00:04:31,971 THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US. 92 00:04:31,971 --> 00:04:33,873 >> IT'S OUR PLEASURE TO BE HERE. 93 00:04:33,873 --> 00:04:36,076 >> TED, CAN YOU TELL US WHERE WE ARE? 94 00:04:36,076 --> 00:04:38,011 >> WE ARE AT THE ADA COUNTY LANDFILL. 95 00:04:38,011 --> 00:04:42,082 WE'RE SITTING ON TOP OF A PILE OF GARBAGE ABOUT 85 FEET THICK 96 00:04:42,082 --> 00:04:44,918 IN THE NORTH RA VIVE LANDFILL. 97 00:04:44,918 --> 00:04:46,453 >> THANK YOU FOR HOSTING US. 98 00:04:46,453 --> 00:04:50,390 OKAY, LET'S GO TO YOUR QUESTIONS. 99 00:04:50,390 --> 00:04:54,928 >> HI, MY NAME IS INDIGO, I GO TO CHARTER SCHOOL. 100 00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:59,332 MY QUESTION IS HOW DOES GARBAGE AFFECT EARTH'S ECOSYSTEM? 101 00:04:59,332 --> 00:05:03,770 >> I THINK THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF GARBAGE IS THE KEY TO NOT 102 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:08,475 HAVING AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE ECOSYSTEM. 103 00:05:08,475 --> 00:05:12,512 GARBAGE CAN AS IT DECOMPOSES, OR THE MATERIALS THAT ARE ACTUALLY 104 00:05:12,512 --> 00:05:15,081 IN THE GARBAGE CAN CAUSE POLLUTION. 105 00:05:15,081 --> 00:05:18,852 NOT ONLY SOILS BUT WATER AND ALSO OUR AIR. 106 00:05:18,852 --> 00:05:24,991 THERE'S ALSO A POSSIBILITY OF DISEASES THAT ARE INSIDE OF 107 00:05:24,991 --> 00:05:29,062 GARBAGE, THAT CAN BE CARRIED BY BIRDS OR OTHER BUGS, FLIES, THAT 108 00:05:29,062 --> 00:05:34,167 SORT OF THING THAT, CAN ALSO ADVERSELY IMPACT HUMANS. 109 00:05:34,167 --> 00:05:37,637 >> GARBAGE IS THE END RESULT OF OUR PURCHASING PRACTICES. 110 00:05:37,637 --> 00:05:42,742 AND SO WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE WASTE BEFORE WE CALL IT GARBAGE. 111 00:05:42,742 --> 00:05:46,012 WE NEED TO CONSIDER OUR CONSUMPTIVE PRACTICES, THE 112 00:05:46,012 --> 00:05:49,749 NATURAL RESOURCES THAT GO INTO WHAT WE BUY AND WHAT WE USE 113 00:05:49,749 --> 00:05:51,818 EVERY DAY TO EXIST. 114 00:05:51,818 --> 00:05:54,721 AND THE BYPRODUCT OF THAT IS GARBAGE. 115 00:05:54,721 --> 00:06:00,193 SO THE IMPACTS OF WHAT WE BUY AND WHAT WE DON'T USE FULLY AND 116 00:06:00,193 --> 00:06:04,130 DISCARD AS GARBAGE CERTAINLY HAS AN IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT, 117 00:06:04,130 --> 00:06:07,567 BOTH DURING MANUFACTURING AND DURING DISPOSAL. 118 00:06:07,567 --> 00:06:13,773 >> HI, MY NAME'S RILEY, I GO TO HILLCREST ELEMENTARY. 119 00:06:13,773 --> 00:06:15,508 WHY DOES GARBAGE SMELL? 120 00:06:15,508 --> 00:06:19,512 >> GARBAGE SMELLS BECAUSE OF THE DECOMPOSITION PROCESS. 121 00:06:19,512 --> 00:06:23,249 THERE ARE MICROBES AND BACTERIA THAT LIVE ON GARBAGE. 122 00:06:23,249 --> 00:06:29,055 AS THEY CONSUME THE GARBAGE THEY CREATE A BYPRODUCT WHICH TENDS 123 00:06:29,055 --> 00:06:31,324 TO BE THE ODORS. 124 00:06:31,324 --> 00:06:34,527 THE FRESH TRASH SMELL, IT SMELLS LIKE THE INSIDE OF YOUR GARBAGE 125 00:06:34,527 --> 00:06:39,899 CAN, THAT'S WHERE THERE'S OXYGEN PRESENT AS THE ORGANIC MATERIAL 126 00:06:39,899 --> 00:06:40,367 DECOMPOSES. 127 00:06:40,367 --> 00:06:44,270 THEN ONCE THE GARBAGE HAS BEEN PLACED IN A LANDFILL AND 128 00:06:44,270 --> 00:06:47,507 COMPACTED AND THE OXYGEN AROUND THAT TRASH HAS BEEN USED UP, 129 00:06:47,507 --> 00:06:54,247 IT'LL GO TO AN ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION WHERE THE BY 130 00:06:54,247 --> 00:06:58,118 PRODUCT IS LANDFILL GAS A VERY UNIQUE SMELL. 131 00:06:58,118 --> 00:07:02,122 IT'S RATHER PUNGENT AND NOT VERY PLEASANT BUT IT'S VERY UNIQUE TO 132 00:07:02,122 --> 00:07:03,023 LANDFILLS. 133 00:07:03,023 --> 00:07:07,761 BUT THAT'S A BYPRODUCT OF THE DECOMPOSITION ORGANIC MATERIALS. 134 00:07:07,761 --> 00:07:12,565 >> HI, MY NAME IS JACKY AND I'M FROM MASON ELEMENTARY. 135 00:07:12,565 --> 00:07:16,236 MY QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES GARBAGE GO AT THE DUMP? 136 00:07:16,236 --> 00:07:17,771 >> THE GARBAGE GOES IN THE DUMP. 137 00:07:17,771 --> 00:07:23,043 IT'S BROUGHT UP IN A VARIETY OF VEHICLES, TYPICALLY TRASH TRUCKS 138 00:07:23,043 --> 00:07:26,146 THAT GO THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESSES THAT PICK YOU 139 00:07:26,146 --> 00:07:26,713 WANT GARBAGE. 140 00:07:26,713 --> 00:07:29,949 IT IS TAKEN TO LANDFILLS AND DUMPED INTO A SPECIFIC AREA 141 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:31,951 WHERE IT IS CRUSHED AND BURIED. 142 00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:35,889 WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE SITTING ON TOP OF A PILE OF 143 00:07:35,889 --> 00:07:38,491 GARBAGE THAT'S ABOUT 85 FEET THICK. 144 00:07:38,491 --> 00:07:43,897 >> BROOK WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHY DO WE SEPARATE TRASH AND 145 00:07:43,897 --> 00:07:44,497 RECYCLABLES? 146 00:07:44,497 --> 00:07:47,233 >> WE SEPARATE TRASH FROM RECYCLING MOSTLY TO MAKE IT 147 00:07:47,233 --> 00:07:51,971 EASIEST TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED, AND WHAT CANNOT. 148 00:07:51,971 --> 00:07:55,508 IT MAKES THE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT IF THE RECYCLING IS 149 00:07:55,508 --> 00:07:59,579 PUT IN ONE PILE AND THE TRASH IS IN ANOTHER PILE, AND THEY MAKE 150 00:07:59,579 --> 00:08:04,050 THEIR WAY TO THEIR DESTINATIONS IN SORT OF A CLEAN FORM, YOU 151 00:08:04,050 --> 00:08:05,285 KNOW, A CATEGORY. 152 00:08:05,285 --> 00:08:08,855 IT'S KIND OF LIKE DOING YOUR LAUNDRY. 153 00:08:08,855 --> 00:08:11,925 IT'S A LOT EASIER IF YOU SORT IT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE WASHING 154 00:08:11,925 --> 00:08:15,662 MACHINE THAN TO TRY AND SORT IT ON TOP OF THE WASHING MACHINE. 155 00:08:15,662 --> 00:08:18,398 YOU WANT TO KEEP THOSE THINGS SEPARATE. 156 00:08:18,398 --> 00:08:23,236 IT ALSO HELPS YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH DO I HAVE OF THE RECYCLING 157 00:08:23,236 --> 00:08:25,872 AND HOW MUCH DO I HAVE OF THE TRASH. 158 00:08:25,872 --> 00:08:29,075 IT GOES INTO THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF HOW CAN WE BEST, MORE 159 00:08:29,075 --> 00:08:32,412 EFFICIENTLY, MOST AFFORD BLY PROVIDE TRASH AND RECYCLING 160 00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:33,213 SERVICES. 161 00:08:33,213 --> 00:08:37,851 >> HI, I'M FRANCES AND GOY TO CHARTER SCHOOL. 162 00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:41,054 MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET RID OF GARBAGE OTHER THAN 163 00:08:41,054 --> 00:08:43,256 PUTTING IT IN A LANDFILL? 164 00:08:43,256 --> 00:08:46,226 >> THERE ARE LOTS OF ALTERNATIVES. 165 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:53,333 ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO MANAGE YOUR SOLID WASTE IS NOT TO TURN 166 00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:57,904 IT INTO A WASTE BUT SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO RECYCLE THE 167 00:08:57,904 --> 00:08:58,538 MATERIAL. 168 00:08:58,538 --> 00:09:03,209 BUT IF YOU DO HAVE WASTE, IF IT'S NOT PUT IN A LANDFILL 169 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:09,015 TYPICALLY IT IS SENT TO AN INCINERATOR FOR DESTRUCTION IN 170 00:09:09,015 --> 00:09:10,583 THE WASTE GENERATION. 171 00:09:10,583 --> 00:09:16,489 BUT RIGHT NOW THOSE ARE THE PRIMARY TECHNOLOGIES, EITHER 172 00:09:16,489 --> 00:09:19,459 MASS BURN OR LANDFILL. 173 00:09:19,459 --> 00:09:23,129 >> SUCH MANAGEMENT OF WASTE IS NOT CREATIVE AT ALL, TO JUST TRY 174 00:09:23,129 --> 00:09:27,133 TO USE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, REUSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THEN 175 00:09:27,133 --> 00:09:31,404 RECYCLE AND THEN WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, THEN THROW YOUR ITEMS 176 00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:31,971 AWAY. 177 00:09:31,971 --> 00:09:35,075 THERE ARE OPTIONS IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES FOR HOW THAT GARBAGE 178 00:09:35,075 --> 00:09:36,509 IS DISPOSED OF. 179 00:09:36,509 --> 00:09:40,613 IT MIGHT BE A LANDFILL, IT MIGHT BE AN INCINERATOR, IT MIGHT BE A 180 00:09:40,613 --> 00:09:44,517 GAS FICATION OR PLASMA TECHNOLOGY. 181 00:09:44,517 --> 00:09:47,053 AND THERE ARE TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPING ALL THE TIME ON WAYS 182 00:09:47,053 --> 00:09:52,058 TO MAKE OUR GARBAGE MORE MANAGEABLE. 183 00:09:52,058 --> 00:09:54,861 IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY TYPE SITUATIONS THERE ARE ALWAYS 184 00:09:54,861 --> 00:09:56,629 CONSEQUENCES AND CONSIDERATIONS. 185 00:09:56,629 --> 00:10:00,700 SO THE BEST APPROACH TO WASTE MANAGEMENT IS TO NOT CREATE IT 186 00:10:00,700 --> 00:10:01,634 AT ALL. 187 00:10:01,634 --> 00:10:06,639 >> GABE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW: HOW DOES GARBAGE DECOMPOSE IN THE 188 00:10:06,639 --> 00:10:07,607 GROUND? 189 00:10:07,607 --> 00:10:10,343 >> GARBAGE DECOMPOSES AS NATURAL PROCESS. 190 00:10:10,343 --> 00:10:15,281 THE ORGANIC MATERIAL WILL DECOMPOSE OR BREAK DOWN THERE, 191 00:10:15,281 --> 00:10:20,353 ACTUALLY MICROBES AND BACTERIA ON THE TRASH CONSUME THE ORGANIC 192 00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:21,921 MATERIALS IN THE TRASH. 193 00:10:21,921 --> 00:10:26,192 IT'S ALSO SUBJECTED TO THINGS LIKE OXIDATION, WHERE IT RUSTS 194 00:10:26,192 --> 00:10:30,263 AND WHERE IT COMBINES WITH OXYGEN AND THE METALS WILL BREAK 195 00:10:30,263 --> 00:10:30,930 DOWN. 196 00:10:30,930 --> 00:10:34,200 AND THERE ARE ALSO SOME CHEMICAL REACTIONS WITHIN A LANDFILL THAT 197 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,837 ALSO WILL BREAK DOWN THE MATERIAL IN THE LANDFILL. 198 00:10:37,837 --> 00:10:43,043 BUT THE PRIMARY WAY THAT GARBAGE BREAKS DOWN IN THE LANDFILL IS 199 00:10:43,043 --> 00:10:50,684 THAT THE ORGANIC DECOMP SIGNIFICANCE HAPPENS. 200 00:10:50,684 --> 00:10:54,320 >> WHAT PRODUCT TAKES UP THE MOST SPACE IN U.S. LANDFILLS? 201 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:55,922 IT'S PAPER. 202 00:10:55,922 --> 00:10:58,892 PAPER DOESN'T DEGRADE EASILY BURIED IN LANDFILLS. 203 00:10:58,892 --> 00:11:00,527 IT CAN LAST FOR DECADES. 204 00:11:00,527 --> 00:11:10,003 PUT PAPER IN A RECYCLING BIN, NOT THE TRASH. 205 00:11:10,003 --> 00:11:15,175 >> BRODY ASKS: WHY DOES GARBAGE TRUCK CRUSH THE GARBAGE? 206 00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:18,345 >> GARBAGE COLLECTED OCCURSIDE FROM YOUR HOME IS PUT INTO A 207 00:11:18,345 --> 00:11:23,650 COMPACTING TRUCK AND IS CRUSHED TO MAXIMIZE THE SPACE ON THE 208 00:11:23,650 --> 00:11:26,553 TRUCK TO MAKE MORE STOPS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 209 00:11:26,553 --> 00:11:30,357 SO WE COMPACT IT TO MAKE MORE ROOM, TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. 210 00:11:30,357 --> 00:11:34,561 >> AND THE MORE THEY PICK UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE THEY 211 00:11:34,561 --> 00:11:38,031 COME OFF THE ROUTE TO BRING IT TO THE LANDFILL, THE MORE 212 00:11:38,031 --> 00:11:43,103 EFFICIENT IT IS, THE LESS IMPACT TO THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH AIR 213 00:11:43,103 --> 00:11:43,570 POLLUTION. 214 00:11:43,570 --> 00:11:46,039 IT TRAVELS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS BACK AND FORTH TO 215 00:11:46,039 --> 00:11:46,840 THE LANDFILL. 216 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,944 SO IF YOU CAN COMPACT IT MORE AND GET MORE INTO THE TRUCK THEY 217 00:11:50,944 --> 00:11:54,214 MAKE FEWER TRIPS TO THE DAMP. 218 00:11:54,214 --> 00:11:55,382 >> HI, I'M ELISE. 219 00:11:55,382 --> 00:11:58,218 I'M WONDERING WHAT RECYCLING DOES FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE 220 00:11:58,218 --> 00:12:00,253 HEALTH OF OUR EARTH. 221 00:12:00,253 --> 00:12:03,356 >> RECYCLING IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO JUST THROWING 222 00:12:03,356 --> 00:12:04,491 YOUR THINGS AWAY. 223 00:12:04,491 --> 00:12:09,062 RECYCLING IS A PROCESS OF TURNING ONE PRODUCT INTO 224 00:12:09,062 --> 00:12:13,333 SOMETHING NEW AND REUSING IT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. 225 00:12:13,333 --> 00:12:19,339 IT MEANS NOT HARVESTING MORE TREES AND NOT MINING MORE RAW 226 00:12:19,339 --> 00:12:20,240 MATERIALS. 227 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:25,078 IT'S ABOUT RESOURCE CONSERVATION, IT'S BUILT INTO 228 00:12:25,078 --> 00:12:27,981 RECYCLING AND THAT IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT NO MATTER HOW 229 00:12:27,981 --> 00:12:28,982 YOU LOOK AT IT. 230 00:12:28,982 --> 00:12:32,285 >> AND BY RECYCLING, IT KEEPS IT OUT OF THE LANDFILL WHERE IT 231 00:12:32,285 --> 00:12:35,255 WILL GO THROUGH A NATURAL DECOMPOSITION PROCESS. 232 00:12:35,255 --> 00:12:40,560 THERE'S ALSO CHEMICAL PROCESSES WITHIN A LANDFILL THAT CAN 233 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:44,664 COMBINE INTO PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN HEALTH OR 234 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:45,565 THE ENVIRONMENT SO. 235 00:12:45,565 --> 00:12:50,470 IF YOU KEEP THOSE THINGS OUT OF LANDFILL, THERE'S LESS IMPACT ON 236 00:12:50,470 --> 00:12:54,941 OUR ENVIRONMENT, GET IT BACK INTO REUSE RATHER THAN JUST 237 00:12:54,941 --> 00:12:56,743 THROWING IT AWAY. 238 00:12:56,743 --> 00:13:00,780 >> ISAAC WOULD LIKE TO KNOW: WHY DO WE BURY GARBAGE? 239 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:06,219 >> WE BURY OR GARBAGE AS A FUNCTION OF OUR SOCIETY. 240 00:13:06,219 --> 00:13:10,890 WE'VE GOT MANAGE THE MATERIAL THAT WE'RE THROWING AWAY. 241 00:13:10,890 --> 00:13:15,161 WE DON'T WANT TO JUST LEAVE IT OUT WHERE THE WIND WILL BLOW IT 242 00:13:15,161 --> 00:13:17,697 AROUND HE AND ANIMALS CARRY IT OFF. 243 00:13:17,697 --> 00:13:21,334 WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTROL WHERE THAT MATERIAL GOES 244 00:13:21,334 --> 00:13:26,006 AND HOW IT'S MANAGED FOR THE LONG TERM. 245 00:13:26,006 --> 00:13:30,276 IT'S -- IT WORKS BEST FOR OUR SOCIETY TO HAVE BUN PLACE WHERE 246 00:13:30,276 --> 00:13:32,278 THE TRASH GOES. 247 00:13:32,278 --> 00:13:34,180 IT'S VERY CHEAP TO LANDFILL IT. 248 00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:37,117 HOWEVER, THERE ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVES OUT THERE THAT DO 249 00:13:37,117 --> 00:13:38,351 COST A BIT MORE. 250 00:13:38,351 --> 00:13:50,363 THINGS LIKE WASTE TO ENERGY OR GASIIF I CAN INDICATION, 251 00:13:50,363 --> 00:13:52,298 ELECTRICAL COGEN RATION. 252 00:13:52,298 --> 00:13:55,535 BUT THOSE TEND TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVES. 253 00:13:55,535 --> 00:13:58,471 HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A TECHNOLOGY CHANGE OVER TIME THAT 254 00:13:58,471 --> 00:14:01,975 WILL REMOVE THE NECESSITY TO PUT TRASH INTO A LANDFILL. 255 00:14:01,975 --> 00:14:05,145 >> HI, MY NAME IS CAILIN. 256 00:14:05,145 --> 00:14:07,514 I'M FROM BASIN ELEMENTARY. 257 00:14:07,514 --> 00:14:12,152 MY QUESTION IS HOW DO GARBAGE TRUCKS GET ALL THE GARBAGE IN 258 00:14:12,152 --> 00:14:12,886 ONE DAY? 259 00:14:12,886 --> 00:14:15,622 THERE ARE A LOT THAT PICK UP GARBAGE EACH DAY. 260 00:14:15,622 --> 00:14:18,158 TYPICALLY WE'LL TAKE A NEIGHBORHOOD AND CARVE IT UP 261 00:14:18,158 --> 00:14:22,228 LIKE A PIE INTO EQUAL PORTIONS, AND THEN WE'LL MAKE SURE WE HAVE 262 00:14:22,228 --> 00:14:26,599 THE RIGHT NUMBER OF TRUCKS AND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF STAFF TO BE 263 00:14:26,599 --> 00:14:30,170 ABLE TO COLLECT YOUR GARBAGE ON YOUR COLLECTION DAY OF THE WEEK. 264 00:14:30,170 --> 00:14:32,972 WE DON'T PICK UP EVERY HOUSEHOLD ON MONDAY. 265 00:14:32,972 --> 00:14:38,078 WE PICK UP ONE FIFTH OF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY ON 266 00:14:38,078 --> 00:14:41,448 MONDAY AND ANOTHER FIFTH ON TUESDAY. 267 00:14:41,448 --> 00:14:43,383 WE DIVIDE IT UP. 268 00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:47,387 >> MY NAME IS IAN, I'M FROM BASIN ELEMENTARY. 269 00:14:47,387 --> 00:14:48,822 HOW DOES RECYCLING WORK? 270 00:14:48,822 --> 00:14:53,927 >> IT IS THE PROCESS OF TURNING AN ITEM INTO SOMETHING NEW, TO 271 00:14:53,927 --> 00:14:56,463 REMANUFACTURE IT INTO SOMETHING NEW. 272 00:14:56,463 --> 00:15:00,700 SO FOR EXAMPLE AN ALUMINUM CAN FIRST HAD YOUR SODA POP IN IT. 273 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:04,971 THEN YOU RECYCLED IT INTO THE SCREEN THAT'S IN YOUR SCREEN 274 00:15:04,971 --> 00:15:07,040 DOOR ON THE FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE. 275 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:13,413 SO THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING USUALLY INVOLVES WATER AND 276 00:15:13,413 --> 00:15:17,884 ENERGY AND OTHER ELEMENTS TO TURN WHAT WAS ONCE A PIECE OF 277 00:15:17,884 --> 00:15:23,256 PAPER INTO TOILET PAPER OR CLEAN NEXT. 278 00:15:23,256 --> 00:15:26,326 EACH PROCESS IS UNIQUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL IT IS AND 279 00:15:26,326 --> 00:15:29,863 WHAT'S REQUIRED OF IT TO MAKE THAT NEW PRODUCT FROM THE OLD 280 00:15:29,863 --> 00:15:31,331 PRODUCT. 281 00:15:31,331 --> 00:15:36,536 >> JACKSON WOULD LIKE TO KNOW: WHY CAN'T WE RECYCLE ALL THESE 282 00:15:36,536 --> 00:15:37,337 PRODUCTS? 283 00:15:37,337 --> 00:15:40,106 >> THE POTENTIAL TO RECYCLE EVERYTHING EXISTS. 284 00:15:40,106 --> 00:15:45,612 BUT WHAT IT TAKES, IT TAKES SOMEONE TO DEVELOP AN IDEA THAT 285 00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:49,883 USES THAT MATERIAL, AND THEN TO BE BE ABLE TO PUT THAT MATERIAL 286 00:15:49,883 --> 00:15:54,654 THROUGH ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AND HAVE PEOPLE BUY THE 287 00:15:54,654 --> 00:15:55,388 PRODUCT. 288 00:15:55,388 --> 00:15:56,723 IT'LL SUPPLY AND DEMAND. 289 00:15:56,723 --> 00:16:00,293 >> IT'S JUST BASICALLY A FUNCTION OF ECONOMICS. 290 00:16:00,293 --> 00:16:06,866 IF THERE'S NOT A DEMAND FOR A MATERIAL, IT DOESN'T GET 291 00:16:06,866 --> 00:16:07,467 RECYCLED. 292 00:16:07,467 --> 00:16:10,603 IT'S THEN WHAT WE CLASSIFY CURRENTLY AS A WASTE MATERIAL. 293 00:16:10,603 --> 00:16:13,306 WE TEND TO THROW THAT AWAY IN THE LANDFILL. 294 00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:17,877 BUT IF YOU CAN DEVELOP A PRODUCT THAT HAS A VALUE TO IT, SO THAT 295 00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:22,148 IT'S NOT -- IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO RECYCLE IT RATHER THAN WASTE 296 00:16:22,148 --> 00:16:26,853 IT, THEN YOU'VE GOT YOUR RECYCLABLE COMMODITY INSTEAD OF 297 00:16:26,853 --> 00:16:30,790 A WASTED PRODUCT. 298 00:16:30,790 --> 00:16:33,793 >> RECYCLING AND FINDING NEW USES FOR OUR TRASH ARE GOOD WAYS 299 00:16:33,793 --> 00:16:37,797 TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE IN OUR LANDFILLS. 300 00:16:37,797 --> 00:16:44,371 THE CITY OF BOISE COLLECTS GLASS IN DESIGNATED BINS AND DUMPS IT 301 00:16:44,371 --> 00:16:47,974 INTO A GIANT PILE AT A SPECIAL COLLECTION SITE. 302 00:16:47,974 --> 00:16:51,711 >> JOINING ME IS CHRIS NELSON WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ABRASIVES. 303 00:16:51,711 --> 00:16:53,179 THEY DUMP THE GLASS HERE. 304 00:16:53,179 --> 00:16:54,080 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 305 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:58,051 >> IT GOES FROM HERE AND WE PICK IT UP IN OUR LITTLE BOBCAT AND 306 00:16:58,051 --> 00:17:00,954 RUN IT THROUGH THIS PRIMARY SYSTEM HERE. 307 00:17:00,954 --> 00:17:06,593 IT BREAKS UP THE COARSE BOTTLES, BRINGS THEM DOWN TO A MEDIUM 308 00:17:06,593 --> 00:17:10,663 MIXTURE WE CAN THEN PROCESS INTO OUR FINAL PRODUCT, WHICH IS A 309 00:17:10,663 --> 00:17:11,498 ABRASIVE SAND. 310 00:17:11,498 --> 00:17:17,037 THEN WE TAKE IT OVER HERE TO THESE PILES AND THOSE PILES OVER 311 00:17:17,037 --> 00:17:21,608 THERE ARE PROBABLY A WEEK'S WORTH OF RUNNING THIS LITTLE 312 00:17:21,608 --> 00:17:22,509 PLANT. 313 00:17:22,509 --> 00:17:25,679 OH IDEALLY WE WOULD MAKE THAT PILE IN A DAY AND THEN PROCESS 314 00:17:25,679 --> 00:17:27,580 THROUGH A PILE IN A DAY. 315 00:17:27,580 --> 00:17:31,618 WE'LL THEN MOVE FROM IT THAT PILE INTO THAT GREEN BIN, AND IT 316 00:17:31,618 --> 00:17:35,422 BASICALLY RUNS THROUGH THAT CIRCUIT ALL THE A WAY OVER TO 317 00:17:35,422 --> 00:17:38,792 THIS HOUSE WHERE WE HAVE THE FINAL SCREEN PROCESS. 318 00:17:38,792 --> 00:17:41,895 IT SCREENS IT DOWN TO OUR FINAL PRODUCT. 319 00:17:41,895 --> 00:17:44,364 WE HAVE THREE MAIN PRODUCTS THAT WE CREATE. 320 00:17:44,364 --> 00:17:50,637 AND THEY ARE ALL MADE THERE AND THEY GO OFF TO OUR MAIN BAGGING 321 00:17:50,637 --> 00:17:52,539 FACILITY FOR FINAL PACKAGING. 322 00:17:52,539 --> 00:17:54,641 >> WHAT ARE THE END PRODUCTS USED FOR? 323 00:17:54,641 --> 00:17:59,946 >> WE USE IT FOR ABRASIVE SAND USED IN THE SAND-BLASTING 324 00:17:59,946 --> 00:18:00,580 INDUSTRY. 325 00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:02,215 IT'S A RATHER VAST INDUSTRY. 326 00:18:02,215 --> 00:18:08,388 ANYBODY WHO PAINTS OR COATS -- WHETHER IT BE BRIDGES OR CARS OR 327 00:18:08,388 --> 00:18:15,061 AUTO PARTS, ABRASIVE SANDS ARE USED TO FIRST BLAST OFF OLD 328 00:18:15,061 --> 00:18:17,931 STUFF, PREP THE SURFACE FOR WHATEVER COATING YOU'RE GOING 329 00:18:17,931 --> 00:18:21,234 PUT ON IT, PAINT OR CLEAR OR POWDER COATING. 330 00:18:21,234 --> 00:18:24,504 >> THE CREW HAS TO RUN THE CRUSHED GLASS THROUGH THE 331 00:18:24,504 --> 00:18:27,507 SCREENING PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE PEOPLE PUT THINGS OTHER 332 00:18:27,507 --> 00:18:30,510 THAN GLASS INTO THE RECYCLING BINS. 333 00:18:30,510 --> 00:18:33,880 >> YOU CAN SEE THIS IS HOW WE GET IT. 334 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:39,586 UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE THROW BOXES, PAPER, PLASTIC BAGS, 335 00:18:39,586 --> 00:18:44,791 WE'VE HAD MATTRESSES, CAR PELL PET ROLLS, YOU NAME IT, IT'S 336 00:18:44,791 --> 00:18:46,426 BEEN IN THERE. 337 00:18:46,426 --> 00:18:48,161 IT JUST UPSETS THE PROCESS. 338 00:18:48,161 --> 00:18:51,064 WE HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THAT STUFF OUT. 339 00:18:51,064 --> 00:18:55,101 THE CLEANER THE COLLECTION CAN BE ET MORE FISH THE PROCESS CAN 340 00:18:55,101 --> 00:18:55,535 BE. 341 00:18:55,535 --> 00:18:58,905 >> WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RECYCLE GLASS? 342 00:18:58,905 --> 00:19:05,378 >> IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THESE BOTTLES ALL END UP BURIED IN THE 343 00:19:05,378 --> 00:19:06,846 DIRT SOMEWHERE. 344 00:19:06,846 --> 00:19:12,318 AND WHEN WE TAKE THIS BOTTLE AND PRODUCE IT INTO AN ABRASIVE 345 00:19:12,318 --> 00:19:18,291 SAND, WE COLLAPSE THIS AND MAKE IT -- IF THIS WERE, SAY, ONE CUP 346 00:19:18,291 --> 00:19:22,595 OF GLASS, BY THE TIME WE PRODUCE IT WE GET IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 347 00:19:22,595 --> 00:19:25,865 PROBABLY SOMETHING LESS THAN AN OUNCE. 348 00:19:25,865 --> 00:19:31,037 AND BY THE TIME IT'S THROWN AWAY AT THE END, WE WOULD HOPE IT'S 349 00:19:31,037 --> 00:19:34,040 10% LESS THAN ITS ORIGINAL VOLUME. 350 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:35,408 >> CHRIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH, APPRECIATE THE TOUR. 351 00:19:35,408 --> 00:19:39,879 LET'S GO BACK TO YOUR QUESTIONS. 352 00:19:39,879 --> 00:19:44,351 >> HELLO, MY NAME IS LAURA AND GOY TO CHARTER SCHOOL. 353 00:19:44,351 --> 00:19:47,420 I WAS WONDERING WHAT MAKES SOMETHING RECYCLABLE. 354 00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:52,592 >> SOMETHING'S RECYCLABLE IF THERE IS A DEMAND OR A MARKET 355 00:19:52,592 --> 00:19:56,796 FOR THE PRODUCT THAT IS LEFT OVER AFTER IT'S BEEN USED FOR 356 00:19:56,796 --> 00:19:57,731 ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE. 357 00:19:57,731 --> 00:20:03,536 >> THE CHALLENGE IS TO BE AN INVENTER, TO CREATE AN IDEA AND 358 00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:10,276 DEVELOP A NEW PRODUCT THAT TAKES A RESOURCE THAT ISN'T CURRENTLY 359 00:20:10,276 --> 00:20:16,549 RECYCLED, THAT YOU CAN BE AN INVENTORS AND DREAM UP SOMETHING 360 00:20:16,549 --> 00:20:17,984 NEW WITH THAT PRODUCT. 361 00:20:17,984 --> 00:20:21,354 THAT'S KIND OF HOW RECYCLING IS CREATED. 362 00:20:21,354 --> 00:20:25,558 SOMEONE HAS AN IDEA, THEY SEE IT THROUGH, AND THEN AS CONSUMERS 363 00:20:25,558 --> 00:20:32,098 WE SHOP FOR AND BUY THOSE PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED AND 364 00:20:32,098 --> 00:20:33,667 RECLAIMED MATERIALS. 365 00:20:33,667 --> 00:20:38,471 THAT CLOSES THE LOOP ON THE RECYCLE ABILITY OF ANY MATERIAL. 366 00:20:38,471 --> 00:20:42,108 >> TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER WITH THAT, IT'S NOT JUST THE NEW 367 00:20:42,108 --> 00:20:44,844 PRODUCT YOU'RE MAKING OUT OF MATERIALS WE'RE NOT RECYCLING 368 00:20:44,844 --> 00:20:45,311 NOW. 369 00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:49,015 BUT TO COME UP WITH A BRAND-NEW PRODUCT WHERE THE ONLY MATERIAL 370 00:20:49,015 --> 00:20:52,285 SOURCE FOR THAT PRODUCT IS ACTUALLY BURIED IN YOUR OLD 371 00:20:52,285 --> 00:20:52,752 LAND. 372 00:20:52,752 --> 00:20:56,690 THEN YOU MINE OUT YOUR OLD LANDFILL, GET THE MATERIALS BACK 373 00:20:56,690 --> 00:21:02,162 OUT AND TRULY RECYCLE THAT STUFF THAT HAS PRESUMABLY BEEN WASTED 374 00:21:02,162 --> 00:21:03,530 IN THE LANDFILL. 375 00:21:03,530 --> 00:21:08,535 A REAL CHALLENGE TO DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGIES, BOTH ON THE 376 00:21:08,535 --> 00:21:12,272 NEW PRODUCT AND THE LONG RANGE TECHNOLOGY. 377 00:21:12,272 --> 00:21:16,743 >> JAMES WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW DO WE DISPOSE OF BATTERIES 378 00:21:16,743 --> 00:21:17,544 PROPERLY? 379 00:21:17,544 --> 00:21:22,615 >> BATTERIES, IF THEY ARE RECHARGEABLE, ARE VERY EASILY 380 00:21:22,615 --> 00:21:23,116 RECYCLED. 381 00:21:23,116 --> 00:21:32,459 THERE ARE A LOT OF STORES AND RETAIL OUTLETS THAT WILL TAKE 382 00:21:32,459 --> 00:21:35,095 BACK RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. 383 00:21:35,095 --> 00:21:40,100 THEY ARE TYPICALLY CONSIDERED A HAZARDOUS WASTE IF THEY ARE NOT 384 00:21:40,100 --> 00:21:41,668 PROPERLY DISPOSED OF. 385 00:21:41,668 --> 00:21:45,305 IT'S BEST TO HAVE THEM COLLECTED AND SHIPPED TO A BATTERY 386 00:21:45,305 --> 00:21:46,473 RECYCLING FACILITY. 387 00:21:46,473 --> 00:21:52,045 THERE ARE SOME BATTERIES, ALKALINE BATTERIES, THERE'S -- 388 00:21:52,045 --> 00:21:57,017 THOSE ARE NO LONGER RECYCLED, THEY JUST END UP IN THE TRASH. 389 00:21:57,017 --> 00:22:05,425 >> DAVIS ASKS, WHY CAN'T BIO HAZARDOUSES GO INTO THE GARBAGE? 390 00:22:05,425 --> 00:22:13,967 >> THEY ARE TYPICALLY CAME NATURE WITH A PATH GENERAL THAT 391 00:22:13,967 --> 00:22:15,335 CAN DAMAGE HUMAN HEALTH. 392 00:22:15,335 --> 00:22:18,538 WE DON'T WANT THAT IN OUR LANDFILL WHERE IT CAN BE CARRIED 393 00:22:18,538 --> 00:22:23,643 OFF BY A BIRD OR HAVE A FLY LAND ON IT AND CARRY THAT 394 00:22:23,643 --> 00:22:26,179 DISEASE-CAUSING MATERIAL AWAY FROM THE LANDFILL. 395 00:22:26,179 --> 00:22:34,087 SO BEFORE BIOHAZARD MATERIAL CAN BE DISPOSED OF, IT'S EITHER RUN 396 00:22:34,087 --> 00:22:37,924 THROUGH AN AUTO CLAVE WHERE IT'S HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE THAT 397 00:22:37,924 --> 00:22:43,363 WILL DESTROYED THE BACTERIA, OR IT'S TYPICALLY SENT TO AN 398 00:22:43,363 --> 00:22:45,632 INCINERATOR WHERE IT'S DESTROYED. 399 00:22:45,632 --> 00:22:52,739 BUT IT'S JUST FOR THE GENERAL SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC THAT WE 400 00:22:52,739 --> 00:22:58,345 PREVENT BIOHAZARD MATERIALS FROM OUR LANDFILL. 401 00:22:58,345 --> 00:23:02,082 >> HIGH, MY NAME IS DRAKE AND I'M FROM BASIN ELEMENTARY. 402 00:23:02,082 --> 00:23:07,787 MY QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH GARBAGE FILL AS GARBAGE TRUCK? 403 00:23:07,787 --> 00:23:12,959 >> THE AVERAGE GARBAGE TRUCK IN OUR COMMUNITY IS BETWEEN 20 AND 404 00:23:12,959 --> 00:23:18,865 25 CUBIC -- COMPACTED CUBIC YARDS. 405 00:23:18,865 --> 00:23:24,070 >> ABBIE ASKS, WHY IS COMPOST A GREAT FERTILIZER? 406 00:23:24,070 --> 00:23:29,376 >> COMPOST IS A NATURAL PRODUCT THAT FEEDS OTHER PLANTS. 407 00:23:29,376 --> 00:23:33,546 WHEN LEAVES BREAK DOWN AND TURN INTO EXCEPT, IT FEEDS THE SOIL 408 00:23:33,546 --> 00:23:37,083 AND MAKES THE SOIL RICH WITH NUTRIENTS. 409 00:23:37,083 --> 00:23:40,553 AND IT PROVIDES FOR AIR POCKETS AND PLACES FOR MOISTURE TO 410 00:23:40,553 --> 00:23:46,192 RETAIN, TO ACTUALLY FEED THE PLANT AND FEED THE WORMS AND 411 00:23:46,192 --> 00:23:48,194 OTHER ORGANISMS THAT LIVE WITHIN THE SOIL. 412 00:23:48,194 --> 00:23:53,733 >> IT ALSO HELPS BY BEING A WEED BARRIER. 413 00:23:53,733 --> 00:23:59,305 A LOT OF COMPOST MATERIALS ARE NATURALLY EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING 414 00:23:59,305 --> 00:24:04,077 THE AMOUNT OF WEEDS OR HELPING WITH THE WEEDS GROWING IN AMONG 415 00:24:04,077 --> 00:24:05,211 DESIRED PLANTS. 416 00:24:05,211 --> 00:24:13,520 >> HI, MY NAME'S McKENZIE FROM A NTHRO CHARTER SCHOOL. 417 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:17,791 HAVE SCIENTISTS COME UP WITH A WAY TO DECOMPOSE GARBAGE THAT'S 418 00:24:17,791 --> 00:24:20,160 NOT NATURALLY KEY COMPOSING. 419 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:21,261 >> YES. 420 00:24:21,261 --> 00:24:24,497 A LOT OF THE PLASTIC MATERIALS MADE IN TODAY'S MARKETS HAVE 421 00:24:24,497 --> 00:24:29,269 BEEN THE ORIGINAL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THOSE WAS 422 00:24:29,269 --> 00:24:31,171 DESIGNED FOR LONGEVITY. 423 00:24:31,171 --> 00:24:35,709 SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY AT COMING UP 424 00:24:35,709 --> 00:24:42,449 WITH NEW COMPOUNDS THAT MAKE THE SAME BASIC PLASTIC STRUCTURE OR 425 00:24:42,449 --> 00:24:47,120 OTHER MATERIALS THAT WILL ACTUALLY DECOMPOSE MUCH MORE 426 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:53,126 QUICKLY THAN SOME OF THE EARLIER STAGES OF THAT MATERIAL. 427 00:24:53,126 --> 00:24:57,030 >> TECHNOL IS ALWAYS BEING DEVELOPED TO HELP US MANAGE OUR 428 00:24:57,030 --> 00:24:58,331 WASTE STREAMS. 429 00:24:58,331 --> 00:25:02,702 THERE'S PLASMA TECHNOLOGY AND EVEN INCINERATION, WHICH IS AN 430 00:25:02,702 --> 00:25:04,504 OLD TECHNOLOGY TODAY. 431 00:25:04,504 --> 00:25:12,479 IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO MANAGE WASTES THAT WILL TERMINAL 432 00:25:12,479 --> 00:25:13,046 DECOMPOSE. 433 00:25:13,046 --> 00:25:18,518 WE ARE ALSO INVENTING NEW PRODUCTS ALL THE TIME, OR 434 00:25:18,518 --> 00:25:23,790 PRODUCT SUBSTITUTIONS THAT MAY LOOK LIKE PLASTIC BUT IT'S ALSO 435 00:25:23,790 --> 00:25:27,160 MADE FROM CORNER STARCH. 436 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:31,531 IT ACTUALLY IS A NATURAL PRODUCT THAT CAN BIODEGRADE UNDER THE 437 00:25:31,531 --> 00:25:33,099 RIGHT CONDITIONS. 438 00:25:33,099 --> 00:25:37,070 >> MEGAN, BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, LET ME ASK, WHY DID YOU 439 00:25:37,070 --> 00:25:40,640 DECIDE TO PICK A JOB THAT DEALS WITH GARBAGE? 440 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,910 >> I STUDIED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IN COLLEGE. 441 00:25:43,910 --> 00:25:48,515 I FIRST HAD THE GRAND HOPE OF STUDYING TREES FISH AND, YOU 442 00:25:48,515 --> 00:25:50,383 KNOW, RIVERS AND STREAMS. 443 00:25:50,383 --> 00:25:56,256 AND I FOUND THIS JOB IN SOLID WASTE FOR THE CITY OF BOISE. 444 00:25:56,256 --> 00:26:00,393 I REALIZED THAT IS A NATURAL RESOURCE THAT WILL FOREVER NEED 445 00:26:00,393 --> 00:26:04,330 TO BE MANAGED AND I CAN MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT BY HELPING MANAGE 446 00:26:04,330 --> 00:26:09,502 GARBAGE AND PROMOTE RECYCLING THAN IN PRESERVING OUR 447 00:26:09,502 --> 00:26:14,974 ENVIRONMENT, I CAN MAKE A BIGGER DIFFERENCE THAT WAY THAN MAYBE 448 00:26:14,974 --> 00:26:15,942 ANYWHERE ELSE. 449 00:26:15,942 --> 00:26:20,246 >> TED F SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, WHAT 450 00:26:20,246 --> 00:26:25,151 SHOULD SHE OR HE STUDY IN SCHOOL? 451 00:26:25,151 --> 00:26:27,520 >> ACTUALLY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COVER AS HUGE VARIETY 452 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:30,523 OF EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES. 453 00:26:30,523 --> 00:26:36,596 IT COVERS ALL SORTS OF ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL 454 00:26:36,596 --> 00:26:38,431 ENGINEERS, STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS. 455 00:26:38,431 --> 00:26:45,071 ALL OF THE TRADES, PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, 456 00:26:45,071 --> 00:26:46,973 CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY. 457 00:26:46,973 --> 00:26:53,980 IT'S ALL PART OF A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 458 00:26:53,980 --> 00:26:58,018 IF YOU'RE JUST INTERESTED IN EQUIPMENT OPERATORS, THERE'S A 459 00:26:58,018 --> 00:26:59,686 LOT OF DEMAND FOR THAT. 460 00:26:59,686 --> 00:27:03,123 ANYTHING THAT'S GOING ADD TO ONE'S EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND 461 00:27:03,123 --> 00:27:06,860 AND EDUCATION WILL DEFINITELY BE A BIG HELP IF THEY ARE LOOKING 462 00:27:06,860 --> 00:27:10,296 FOR A JOB IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT. 463 00:27:10,296 --> 00:27:12,132 >> I'M SORRY, WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME. 464 00:27:12,132 --> 00:27:14,234 I APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TODAY. 465 00:27:14,234 --> 00:27:15,335 >> IT'S OUR PRIVILEGE. 466 00:27:15,335 --> 00:27:16,302 >> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. 467 00:27:16,302 --> 00:27:20,407 >> YOU CAN LEARN MUCH MORE ABOUT GARBAGE AND OTHER SCIENCE TOPICS 468 00:27:20,407 --> 00:27:22,942 ON THE SCIENCE SCIEN WEBSITE. 469 00:27:22,942 --> 00:27:25,712 WE'LL ANSWER MORE ON "SCIENCE TREK," THE WEB SHOW. 470 00:27:25,712 --> 00:27:28,982 TO SUBMIT A QUESTION TO "SCIENCE TREK," IT'S EASY AND YOU AND 471 00:27:28,982 --> 00:27:30,717 YOUR CLASS WITH WIN PRIZES. 472 00:27:30,717 --> 00:27:35,889 SEND AS AN EMAIL OR VIDEO QUESTION, RECORD ON YOUR WEBCAM 473 00:27:35,889 --> 00:27:37,357 OR CELL PHONE. 474 00:27:37,357 --> 00:27:41,995 OUR LAST PRIZE WINNER WAS ALLIE IN MRS. PEARCE'S CLASS AT SPRING 475 00:27:41,995 --> 00:27:44,330 VALLEY ELEMENTARY IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA. 476 00:27:44,330 --> 00:27:47,634 TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT GAUGER, HOW TO SEND IN QUESTIONS AND WIN 477 00:27:47,634 --> 00:27:49,436 GO, TO THE "SCIENCE TREK" WEBSITE. 478 00:27:49,436 --> 00:27:53,106 EACH WEEK CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR THE LATEST SCIENCE NEWS FOR 479 00:27:53,106 --> 00:27:54,107 KIDS. 480 00:27:54,107 --> 00:27:56,910 IT'S ALL AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/SCIENCETREK. 481 00:27:56,910 --> 00:28:01,314 THANKS FOR JOINING US, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON "SCIENCE TREK." 482 00:28:03,850 --> 00:28:13,760 Captioning Performed By LNS Captioning www.LNScaptioning.com 483 00:28:15,395 --> 00:28:18,231 * 484 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:24,304 >>> PRESENTATION OF "SCIENCE TREK" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION 485 00:28:24,304 --> 00:28:28,141 IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA 486 00:28:28,141 --> 00:28:30,677 MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE 487 00:28:30,677 --> 00:28:35,982 MOORE FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO. 488 00:28:37,350 --> 00:28:41,087 >>> IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC OR WATCH OUR 489 00:28:41,087 --> 00:28:43,323 VOTES CHECK OUT THE SCIENCE TREK