Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union at approximately 1000 square miles of land. In spite of its small area Rhode Island is host to about one million residents. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is "Little Rhody's" quasi-public agency that's responsible for managing Rhode Island's solid waste issues. The agency also manages the state's recycling program and owns and operates the Central Landfill and materials recycling facility in Johnston. The RIRRC facility spans 1,200 acres and manages 2500 tons of residential and commercial waste per day. The landfill itself covers 230 acres. This state-of-the-art facility replaces the town dumps of yesteryear. The local disposal sites throughout Rhode Island are now called "transfer stations," since everything ends up in the RIRRC facility in Johnston.
But besides compacting all Rhode Island's solid waste into layers, the facility coordinates much more. There are consulting services for businesses called "The Green Zone," where businesses can learn about Rhode Island laws that affect them regarding waste disposal and recycling. All businesses with fifty or more employees are required by the State's Department of Environmental Management to complete an annual recycling report (this can be filed on-line by visiting the RI DEM website).
RIRRC also operates a hazardous waste depot, called ECO Depot. Their website details which household items are deemed hazardous and how to dispose of them lawfully and safely. The ECO Depot is a free service forRhode Island residents available by appointment. There are also periodic ECO Depot collections in various communities throughout the year. You can find them by checking the website.
RIRRC also operated a materials recycling facility - MRF. As the website says, "theoretically almost everything can be transformed into something else." Rhode Island determines what will be recycled according to certain guidelines that are outlined in their blue and green bin recycling program section. There are plans to expand which items can be recycled when the MRF operation is upgraded in 2013. For answers as to what items can and can't be recycled, see the section's FAQ. All throughout RI recyclables are collected in blue bins (for plastics, metal and glass) and green bins (for cardboard, paper and newspapers). As towns adopt recycling, each resident is given the bins. Replacement bins for damaged or stolen bins can be purchased by contacting your local public works department. An important section details information regarding the state electronic waste (E-waste) recycling program. Currently, RI's E-waste recycling program accepts televisions, computers (including monitors, modems and laptops) and computer peripherals (mouse pointers, keyboards, printers). Goodwill Industries (100 Houghton St. Providence RI) accepts all types of E-waste for their E-waste recycling training program. They will accept "anything with a plug."
Speaking of donating for reuse, another important section of RIRRC website details how to give anything away or get something for free! You can either post an item or respond to a post. This saves money on trash disposal and helps save space in the landfill. There is a business, household and even medical equipment exchange portion. Of course, you can also check out your local thrift shops to donate unwanted items and even shop (or not). Please take a few minutes to check out the following to see if you will feel the same way about "stuff." You Tube video Story of Stuff, Full Version; How Things Work, About Stuff. Go to http://www.storyofstuff.com/
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