Most people believe that recycling is the right thing to do. While this is true, there are also a fair number of people who do not recycle. Learn the top five reasons why people do not recycle and the top five reasons why everyone should.

Reasons some People do not recycle

1. Inconvenience

Claims that recycling is inconvenient seem to be the top reason why some people do not recycle. It does take effort to recycle items. For instance, cans have to be rinsed clean and labels should be removed before recycling and some people just feel that this is a lot of trouble and they cannot be bothered.

2. Lack of Space

Lack of space is another top reason that people choose not to recycle. There are several different styles of recycle bins available or you can even make your own if space is an issue. Although trash and recycle bins are an eyesore, this really is not a good enough reason not to recycle.

3. There is nothing in it for me

Some people do not recycle because they feel they should be paid for it since it does take some work. In some countries, people are actually fined if they do not recycle while other areas pay for can and bottle recycling. Still, other areas have no incentives or penalties for those people who do not recycle.

4. It does not make a Difference

Some people just believe that there really is no problem. They do not think that landfills are overflowing or that natural resources are becoming depleted. Some people are not convinced that the climate changes and global warming are real. These misinformed people do not recycle.

5. It is too hard to recycle

There are so many different facets to recycling that it is hard to decipher what goes where. It is too hard to remember what kinds of plastic and  what kinds of paper can be recycled. This is not a valid reason not to recycle these materials. We’d like to hear from appliedsurveys.com take our survey.

Pros of Recycling

1. Energy Savings

Since the manufacturer does not have to produce something new from natural resources, recycling saves energy. These energy savings will keep costs down.

2. Reduces the amount of trash in landfills

By recycling, we are reducing the need to create more landfills for garbage.

3. Preserves Wildlife

Recycling reduces the need to destroy animal habitats. If everyone would just recycle paper, we could save millions of trees each year.

4. Good for the Economy

Purchasing products made from recycled good creates a greater demand for these types recycled goods. These products use less energy and less water to produce and create less pollution.

5. Good for the Climate

When we recycle, we produce less carbon. This reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the environment.

Recycling Facts

• Fewer than 10 percent of businesses and 35 percent of households in the United States recycle.
• More than 75 percent of our waste products are recyclable but only approximately 30 percent actually gets recycled.
• Americans throw away 25 million plastic bottles each hour
• If everyone in America recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, 25 million trees would be saved annually.
• Recycling 100 aluminum cans would save enough energy to light a room for two weeks.

Manufactured from vegetable oil, recycled restaurant oils or animal fats, biodiesel is safe, biodegradable and produces fewer pollutants than petroleum-based diesel fuel. It can be converted and used in its purest form or can be combined with petroleum diesel. There are both advantages and disadvantages of using biodiesel.

Disadvantages

• More expensive
• Most automakers have not approved all blends
• Lower power and fuel economy
• Concerns about its impact on the durability of engines
• In some cases, an increase in nitrogen oxide emissions

Advantages

• Produced domestically from renewable, non-petroleum resources
• Can be used in most diesel engines
• Less pollution
• Less greenhouse gas emissions
• Non-toxic
• Safer than traditional diesel
• Biodegradable

Biodiesel Blends

Biodiesel can be blended into many different concentrations and used in several different vehicles. B20 is the most commonly used blend in the United States.

• B100 – Pure biodiesel – used in some farm equipment
• B20 – 80 percent petroleum diesel/20 percent biodiesel – very few vehicle manufactures approve this blend for use in their vehicles.
• B5 – 95 percent petroleum diesel/5 percent biodiesel – most vehicle manufacturers approve blends up to B5 for use in their vehicles.
• B2 – 98 percent petroleum diesel/2 percent biodiesel

How well does Biodiesel Work?

Engines that operate on a B20 mixture feature similar consumption of fuel, torque and horsepower to engines running on traditional diesel. The energy content of B20 is comparable to number one and number two diesel.

Cold Weather Usage

Biodiesels cold-flow depends on the amount of biodiesel in the blend. The lower the percentage of biodiesel, the better it will perform in cold, winter weather. Number 2 diesel and B5 perform approximately the same during cold weather months. Both feature compounds that crystallize when temperatures are very low. For the best cold weather performance, drivers should use a B20 blend made with number two diesel designed specifically for cold weather.

Cleanliness of Biodiesel

The use of biodiesel substantially reduces the emission of pollutants that affect air quality. B100 provides the greatest reduction in emissions although lower-level blends will also offer benefits. B20 has been shown to reduce particulate matter emissions by 10 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 11 percent and unburned hydrocarbons by 21 percent.

Straight Vegetable Oil

Using straight vegetable oil is illegal. It does not meet the biodiesel fuel specifications or quality standards.

Biodiesel Standards

Biodiesel used in these blends must meet specification D6751, which is a quality standard set by ASTM International. When it meets this standard, it is legally registered as a fuel or additive with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Blends that contain 5 percent or less biodiesel must meet the same fuel quality specifications as regular diesel fuel according to ASTM D975. Blends that contain between six and 20 percent biodiesel must meet the requirements of ASTM D7467.

Long-Term Effects of Biodiesel on the Engine

Biodiesel actually has a solvent effect. It cleans the fuel system and it could even clean off deposits that have accumulated from traditional diesel fuel use. When you begin using biodiesel, you may have to change your fuel filter as these deposits may clog it.

Studies that have been done with B20 and lower blends have demonstrated no long-term negative effects on diesel engines. Higher-level blends can have a negative impact on components of the fuel system, primarily hoses and seals.

If you are thinking about buying a new car, consider one of the electric vehicles. Although at first glance it can seem a bit scary, there are plenty of benefits in owning one of these vehicles. Learn more about why you should buy an electric vehicle.

1. Money Savings

Electric vehicles cost less to run than gas powered vehicles do. With an electric vehicle that is run purely off a battery you can save nearly 75 percent annually on fuel over the cost of a gas powered car. In areas that have night electric rates, you can save even more by powering your electric vehicle up at night when rates are lower.

In addition, electric vehicles do not have transmissions or combustion engines. This eliminates the need for costly maintenance such as fuel filters, oil changes, emissions tests and more. The most expensive maintenance on an electric vehicle is the cost of the battery, which does have a limited life.

2. Tax Credits

There are IRS approved tax credits for qualifying electric vehicles. These credits are worth between 2,500 and 7,500 dollars depending on which type of vehicle it is. This tax credit is currently available in all states except for Oregon, which does not allow for a tax credit for the vehicles. Instead, Oregon offers a tax credit for the equipment required to charge the vehicle.

3. Environmental Benefits

One-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are caused by transportation. Sixty percent of which is from the use of personal vehicles. Electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions substantially. Additionally, electric vehicles feature the following benefits:

• Cut noise pollution
• Reduce the use of hazardous fluids including transmission fluids and oil
• Help the country make the renewable energy transition

4. Energy Independence

By keeping energy dollars in the state, jobs are kept in the state. Electric vehicles and charging stations are good for the economy of the entire state. Most states do not have oil wells. For this reason, when you fill your regular car up with gasoline, the bulk of the money that you are paying for gas leaves the state and often even leaves the country.

Most of the electric that is used to recharge an electric car is made locally by your state. This ensures that the money you are spending to fuel your electric vehicle stays closer to home when you charge your car.

5. Trustworthiness

Electric motors only have a few moving parts. They do not require fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid or antifreeze, making them require very little maintenance and less likely to leak. Down time is less likely to occur with an electric vehicle.

In spite of these benefits, there are a few disadvantages to owning an electric vehicle, primarily concerning the battery.

1. Driving Distance

Most electric vehicles can only drive approximately 100 to 200 miles before they require a recharge. Some of the gas-powered vehicles can go as many as 300 miles before they require refueling.

2. Battery Cost

The battery packs for electric vehicles are large and expensive. They may require replacement once or twice over the life of the vehicle.

3. Recharge Time

A full recharge on the battery can take up to eight hours to complete. Even a quick recharge that will take the battery to about 80 percent of its capacity will take over 30 minutes.

4. Weight and Bulkiness

The battery is heavy and it takes up a lot of space in the vehicle. 

Carpooling is the sharing of a car ride so that more than one person rides to a destination in a single vehicle. It is a popular choice among people that live near each other and either work in the same building or in nearby locations. There are several advantages and a few disadvantages to consider if you are thinking about carpooling.

Advantages

1. Saves Money

There is a bunch of ways that carpooling can save money. For instance, it saves you money on the cost of parking and gas. You can cut your expenses in half – maybe more, simply by carpooling. The more people you share a ride with, the more you will save. Carpooling also helps reduce the costs of new roads, air pollution reduction, health costs related to pollution and road maintenance, not to mention the money that you will save on routine car maintenance.

2. Environmental Benefits

The average American will spend over 430 hours driving annually. This means that one single passenger car emits approximately 10 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide, 600 pounds of carbon monoxide and uses approximately 550 gallons of gasoline annually. By carpooling and having fewer cars on the road we can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of our air.

3. Health Benefits

Air pollution caused by vehicles accounts for a number of health related conditions including neurological effects, allergies, cardiovascular disease and respiratory diseases. By cutting back on pollution, some of these illnesses can be avoided.

4. Convenience

Carpooling is convenient. If you can carpool with other employees from your place of work, you can all ride in together. If it is not your turn to drive, you can use the time to eat breakfast, sleep, or prepare for that early morning meeting. In cities where highways have a faster carpool lane, you can drive in that line and deal with less traffic during rush hour.

5. New Friendships

Carpooling offers the opportunity to ride with someone else so that you have companionship while driving. It provides you with less stress and makes you feel safer since people tend to drive more carefully when there are others in the vehicle with them. It is a great way to get to know other people outside of work and learn about them.

Disadvantages

1. Lunch Break

If you want to out to lunch or run errands during your lunch break, you will not be able to if it was not your turn to drive.

2. Emergencies

If you have a family or other type of emergency, you will not have your own vehicle available to drive home. You will either have to find a ride or take a taxicab. Additionally, if you are the one who did the driving you will be responsible for the other participants if you do have to leave for an emergency.

3. Inconvenient

If you want to run some errands on your way home, you cannot. You will have to leave work exactly when the person doing the driving is leaving or when they arrive to pick you up.

4. Exposure to Illnesses

Driving with other people will expose you to all of their germs and viruses that they may have. This is an easy way to catch something, especially during the cold and flu season.

5. Not always worth it

If your work schedule dictates that you work odd hours, stay for a lot of overtime or come in extremely early, trying to carpool may not be worth it. If you live a few blocks from work or extremely far away in a rural area, it may not make sense to carpool.