Resource Key
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Databases
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JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Scholarly resources on JSTOR include Archival and Current Journals, Books, and Primary Sources.
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World Book Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Online version of the complete reference work along with dictionary, atlas, links, magazines, historical documents, audio, video, images, and 3D photograph
Introduction
Over-consumption and the garbage it creates is a growing problem for today's society. Each year we recycle more, but we also create more garbage. It is a problem we all help to create, but not everybody is on board with also helping with the solution – consume less and reduce, reuse and recycle. With a little more thought, we can all change our habits so that each one of us throws out less garbage. These small, but worthwhile changes may at first seem inconvenient, but soon they will become second nature.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. (n.d.). Reduce, re-use, recycle. Retrieved from
There are three easy ways to cut down your waste that can make a big difference to the amount that ends up in landfill. These are known as the 'Three Rs'—reduce, re-use and recycle. -
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. (2015). Reduce, reuse, recycle. Retrieved from https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/waste/minimisation/reduce_reuse_recycle.html#reduce
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, every Australian contributes around two tonnes of waste each year - a mixture of household garbage and industrial waste created by things we buy or use. It's becoming more difficult and expensive to find new refuse tips for waste.
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Metals and the Environment
This section covers metals and their impacts on the environment. It contains information on Alcoa, Landcare, energy conservation, and conservation and rehabilitation.
Future Directions
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Deakin University. (2014, June 30). Process takes textile recycling to new level. Retrieved from http://www.deakin.edu.au/affric/news/2014/06/30/process-takes-textile-recycling-to-new-level
Researchers at Deakin University have found a way to separate blends of cotton-polyester material, providing a major breakthrough for recycling textile and other waste.
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Ritter, S. K. (2015, April 6). Digging through new types of waste to recycle metals. C&EN, 93(14). Retrieved from http://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i14/Digging-Through-New-Types-Waste.html
As metal resources are becoming scarce, scientists and engineers are developing strategies and technologies to economically recover metals that go beyond recycling soda cans.