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Owning Our Future: There is no Future in Wasting Resources

CJ 20th Anniversary

Owning Our Future: There is no Future in Wasting Resources

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Greetings Reuse Fans,

I spend some time every week scanning articles about reuse and recycling.  It is pretty easy to get discouraged about the amount of waste in the world that is not being reused or recycled.

It is pretty clear that recycling around the world is in a state of crisis as we are now receiving the message that things we thought were recyclable are not being recycled (because of contamination issues with the collection process among other things), or have never been able to actually be recycled (basically plastics numbered 3-7: #5 being the exception if it is received by the recycler not contaminated with other plastics). Glass is no longer universally collected at the curb. Managing bottles and glass jars are likely the first experience you had as a kid that served as your introduction to reuse and recycling.  PA has multiple companies that recycle glass, we as a society have the task of creating a delivery system to get the glass to the recycler.

If you are concerned and have 20 minutes to watch a video, this one from the project called The Story of Stuff is thought provoking, and hopefully can inspire us all to change.

From a resource perspective, more than 38 billion tons of non-metallic minerals are extracted from the Earth every year. These materials mainly end up being used to build homes, schools, offices, and hospitals. The EPA estimates that in 2017, 184 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris were generated in the U.S., 90% of which is from demolition and renovation (as opposed to construction).  Instead of simply knocking buildings down and sending the construction and demolition waste to landfill we need to adopt a circular mentality of reuse what you can, recycle what cannot be reused, repair what is broken, and remanufacture what cannot be repaired.  And that needs to be applied to more than building materials, plastic and glass. 

Artists are also helping spread this message, and CJ has a long history of working with artists, including our own unique artwork installation by Bordalo II, and there are many more locally and worldwide.

Construction Junction and its founding organization PRC continue to work to create options, and build partnership to promote reuse and recycling. Our staffs come to work every day with a belief that we are part of the solution to reducing waste. And while we are often functioning in the moment, struggling to decide if we should accept certain materials that may not have another use, or we are creating a special event to get your glass to a recycler, our commitment is deeply rooted in the future.

To support a future that recognizes “there is no future in wasting resources” become a member of PRC and support CJ – with your building and other material donations (or even a financial donation, if that’s your preference), by shopping at our retail store, and celebrating with us at the Big Pour!

The future will appreciate your efforts,

Mike Gable

Executive Director

(and PRC Board Member)

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