A recent article in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper featured a many who has gotten to the point where he has a near zero carbon footprint. From a combination of solar panels on his property, an electric car in his garage, and no garbage at the curb, this man has been nationally recognized as one of the leaders in the environmentally friendly movement. With only a stack of recyclables put our once every two weeks, this Nebraskan shared his green lifestyle with anyone who wanted to visit his home during a Sunday open house.

As more and more Americans pay attention to the impact that their daily habits have on the environment, it should come as no surprise that a growing number of communities are focusing on recycling services. Paying attention to the garbage that we set out on the curb is the first step that many of us can make as we try to lessen the carbon footprint that we make. Trash removal costs are increasing in many areas as consumers prove that they are willing to pay more if it means that more recycling services take place.

Waste Management Services Continue to be Important to Many Americans
In addition to being good for the environment, waste management can also be good for the economy. In fact, the waste management process encompasses as many as 20 different industries. From yard waste removal to recycling services, there are a number of ways that city services can help limit the amount of garbage that goes into a dump. Although there may not be many people like the man in Omaha who never takes yard waste and garbage to the curb, there are many ways that city services can help residents more efficiently deal with their waste.
Unfortunately, the latest research indicates that the average American will throw away 600 times the amount of his or her adult weight in garbage in a lifetime. This alarming fact is an indicator of just how important it is to make sure that entire communities strive to make progress in being more green and energy efficient. Did you know, for instance, that it costs an average of $30 per ton to recycle trash, but $50 per ton to send it to a landfill? Just this simple fact should let people know that the four pounds of trash per person that is generated on a daily basis should be recycled whenever possible.

You may never win a national award or get your carbon footprint to zero, but you can make strides to being more careful about how you handle the garbage that your home generates.