Where does recycled trash go?

by John Davis

Guam - When thinking about recycling, most people automatically think about sorting out their paper, cardboard, plastic and glass into different containers, but once all your trash is finally sorted, what do we do with it?  Well, we've got some answers for you.

To some people burning their trash is one option they under take to lessen the amount of waste that would otherwise be sent to the Ordot Dump. The problem with that is its effect on the environment and not to mention it's illegal.  "How you handle your trash will affect many other species on this planet and how you create products will affect all of us," said Chace Andersen, Operations Manager for federal receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton.

He says all manufactured items cause pollutants that go into the atmosphere, which aren't good for plant life, animal or even human life. By engaging in recycling it provides for a cleaner environment from the air we breathe to the water we drink. Recycling will also help extend the lifespan of Guam's new landfill.

The difficulty with recycling however has been having a place for residents to take their recyclables. Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management Division Administrator, Linda Ibanez gives us the scoop on just how easy recycling can be, saying, "Currently, residents can take cardboard and glass to any of our transfer stations, which are Dededo, Agat and Malojloj and of course at Ordot Dump.  We have recycling containers, they can just drive up, let them know you're going to get rid of recycled items like it's cardboard and glass and you can just dump for free."

DPW's Solid Waste Management Division expects a full-fledged curbside recycling program to be in effect upon the completion of the DPW rollout cart program.  It will be a pilot project at first, but the goal is to implement an island wide curbside recycling program within the next year or so. 

Until then, practicing recycling makes perfect recycling.