Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch was initially discovered in 1997 by oceanographer Charles Moore while sailing home to Southern California after finishing the Transpacific Yacht Race. He stated, "I was confronted, as far as the eye could see, with the sight of plastic…In the week it took to cross the subtropical high, no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments."

A three-year study conducted by The Ocean Cleanup Foundation and published in Scientific Reports recently confirmed this find, and stated that the giant mass of garbage is now double the size of Texas. Scientists estimate that this floating island of garbage is 1.6 million kilometers in size, which is 16 times larger than previous estimates.

Where Did All The Garbage Come From?

The recent study was conducted by an international team of scientists, six universities, and an aerial sensor company. During the study, the group surveyed and collected trash using devises to measure the found objects. An aircraft was also used and fitted with sensors to collect 3D scans of the “island.” By the conclusion of the study, the group had collected a total of 1.2 million plastic samples and scanned more than 300 square kilometers.

They found that the huge, swirling pile of trash is made up of many different things. Almost half of it is comprised of “ghost nets,” or discarded fishing nets. Another 20 percent is thought to be debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. The majority of the pile contains larger objects, while only 8 percent is estimated to be microplastics (pieces smaller than 5 millimeters in size).

In a statement from The Ocean Cleanup Foundation, Chief Scientist Julia Reisser said that, "We were surprised by the amount of large plastic objects we encountered…We used to think most of the debris consists of small fragments, but this new analysis shines a new light on the scope of the debris.”

The principal research scientist for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, Britta Denise Hardesty, participated in a previous study and found that discarded fishing gear made up a significant amount of marine plastic pollution worldwide. Her study estimated that 640,000 tons of fishing gear is lost to the marine environment each year.

“The Trash Isles”

Because the patch is so large, environmentalists have called on the United Nations to declare the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a country, naming it the "The Trash Isles," complete with its own passport and currency, called debris. In addition, environmentalists have solicited 200,000 people to become citizens, including celebrities Sir David Attenborough, Chris Hemsworth, and Gal Gadot. The first citizen was former US vice president and environmentalist Al Gore. While done in jest, this move hoped to raise awareness of the ever growing issue in the Pacific.

Can Anything Be Done?

Even though Hardesty’s study had found that fishing gear made up the majority of marine pollution, she stated that, "lt's not fair to just blame it on the fishermen or the top 20 countries for mismanaging waste...Instead we need to look at the true value and cost of plastics, and factor in the costs of livelihood and tourism." She went on to conclude that plastic pollution in the ocean is both visible and trackable, helping scientists document it. However, people can help slow it down by recycling and limiting their purchase of plastics and other single-use items. She encourages all to “think about mindful alternatives.”

GTS Fleet Expansion

Global Trash Solutions (GTS) is pleased to announce that we are adding to our fleet of service vehicles. With this new addition, GTS is now able to offer Florida customers around the clock service for the GTS2000 compactor, as well as other manufacturers’ compactors. Our certified and trained technicians will fix compactors on site anywhere in Florida, the same day. We can fix any type of compactor issue, including common problems like electrical and hydraulic work. Being experts on a wide range of compactors, GTS technicians can repair common electrical problems, such as control panel issues, and hydraulic work, including replacing cylinders, pumps, and hoses. Whether welding or motor replacement or repair is needed, our skilled technicians can handle it. We will thoroughly troubleshoot the problem the same day you call and repair the issue as quickly as possible.

A History of Stellar Service

Our network of skilled technicians at GTS have the experience and know-how that our customers have come to expect and need. With over 30 years of experience in both construction and manufacturing, you can benefit from our technicians’ extensive skill sets.

When we get a call about a repair or service need for our GTS2000 compactor or other manufacturer compactor, we send the right technician for the job at a time that is convenient for our customer. Each technician has the knowledge and skills to make any needed repairs or service, or offer solutions for replacements. All issues are resolved within a three-day time period, with an individual report provided to each customer that includes recommendations for future replacements or services. We ensure that our customers’ equipment continues to operate efficiently and effectively.

We service both large and small companies, including many quick serve restaurants like Dunkin Donuts, IHop, Starbucks, Chipotle, Subway, Panera, McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s. We have also branched out to include other types of businesses, like Macy’s, Marriott, Family Dollar, and Neiman Marcus. No other company can provide customers this level of service.

Service to Meet All Customer Needs

With the addition to our fleet, our nationwide network of experienced service technicians are immediately dispatched to troubleshoot and begin making repairs or service machines within 24 hours. Not only do our technicians arrive faster than other services, but they are skilled, always bringing the right tools and knowledge to get your compactor running smoothly once more.

With highly trained and experienced technicians, GTS is an industry leader in waste equipment repair. We can service any make or model in compactors quickly and effectively. If you need a service or troubleshooting and repair, be sure to call us at (866) 760-8194. With the addition to our fleet, all Florida customers will now receive same day, on site assistance with any repair or service.

For more information on Global Trash Solutions, send an email to newsletter@globaltrashsolutions.com or visit our website at https://globaltrashsolutions.com/.

Why Bottle Deposits Work For Some States

Beverage container deposit laws, also known as “bottle bills,” are designed to reduce litter, functioning as a deposit-refund system for beverage containers. Currently, ten states have these types of laws in place, including:

·         California

·         Connecticut

·         Hawaii

·         Iowa

·         Maine

·         Massachusetts

·         Michigan

·         New York

·         Oregon

·         Vermont

Deposit amounts vary from two cents to 15 cents, depending on the type of beverage and volume of the container.

How Do “Bottle Bills” Work?

Bottle bills were originally introduced in Oregon in 1971 as a way to address the growing litter problem along the state's beaches and highways. Since then, other states have passed similar laws. Bottle bills require the state to offer a minimum refund on beverage containers as a way to increase recycling efforts by consumers. When a retailer buys beverages from a distributor, a deposit is paid to the distributor for each container. The consumer then pays the deposit to the retailer when purchasing the beverage but will receive a refund of that deposit when the empty container is returned to a redemption center. The distributor will then reimburse the redemption center the deposit amount for each container, plus a handling fee.

Benefits of Bottle Bills

Along with getting a small amount of money for each bottle returned, there are other benefits to these bottle bills. Studies by the Container Recycling Institute have shown that states with bottle bills have much higher material recovery rates, which keeps container litter off the streets and supports the recycling industry. Because glass and plastic can be recycled, replacement production, which also creates more pollution, decreases. The guaranteed monetary incentive of receiving the deposit back also increases the likelihood that consumers will return the bottles, which keeps them from going into the landfill.

Why Don’t More States Have Bottle Deposit Programs?

Bottle Bills tend to be far more popular with consumers than with manufacturers and retailers. This is because consumers receive a 100% refund on their deposit fee, while manufacturers have to pay it. Because of this, bottling industry lobbying groups work hard to fight against these types of laws, saying that curbside recycling is a better way to handle the issue. According to the American Beverage Association, “Comprehensive recycling programs, like curbside collection, provide an easy and effective way for consumers to recycle their household waste, including beverage bottles and cans…Yet, some argue that these convenient and effective voluntary programs don’t go far enough. Data shows these deposit programs are costly, inconvenient and compete with more successful voluntary recycling efforts.” However, in many states, curbside collection efforts for glass have become problematic, as most of it ends up in the landfill rather than the recycling plant. This is because it is not usually cost effective for manufactures to recycle glass. However, recycling data has shown that both systems, when combined, guarantee the highest rate of glass recycling, and by default all recycling efforts. Many experts encourage states to keep their bottle bills in place, and not bend to the bottling industry’s lobby efforts.

How to Keep Commercial Waste Odor Under Control

Businesses can produce a lot of waste, which unfortunately can lead to a lot of odor. If you are worried about the smells coming from your commercial dumpster, be sure to check out the tips below.

Preventing Odors

Here are a few tips for keeping waste odor under control:

·         Seal Your Garbage – One of the easiest ways to reduce and even eliminate dumpster odor is to effectively seal all garbage. The easiest way to do this is by using quality plastic garbage bags. Be sure to always use garbage bags that are at least 2 mils thick. Thin bags are not going to contain the smell or withstand the stresses placed on them inside the dumpster.

·         Bag Everything – Bagging food and other odor-causing trash is a no brainer. However, did you know you should also bag cardboard and paper waste? Though they may not smell immediately, when these items become wet, they become an attractive food source for various odor-causing insects, bacteria, and mold.

·         Air Out the Container – Keeping the inside of your dumpster dry can help reduce the rise of microorganisms, which produce odor. You can do this by providing a flow of fresh air into the dumpster to ensure that moisture is able to evaporate. If moisture is trapped inside the dumpster, odor causing bacteria and other microorganisms will grow. You can allow fresh air to enter the dumpster by opening side doors or the top lid for several hours per day. Be sure to air-out the dumpster during the daytime to prevent nocturnal pests, like rats and raccoons, from entering after dark. If the weather is rainy or damp, be sure to close up all doors and lids.

·         Do Not Toss Food – Rodents and other types of animals can detect food odors, even inside sealed bags. If they can gain access to the bags, they may tear them apart. If you own a business that produces food scraps or tosses non-edible parts of plants and animals, it is good practice to dispose of them by using a commercial food grinder, then flushing the liquefied wastes down the drain.

How to Eliminate Odors

By taking the above steps, you should be able to prevent waste odor. However, if you do find that waste odor is plaguing your dumpster area, there are a few options to help get rid of the stench:

·         Repel Pests – If pests are able to enter the dumpster as they search for food, you will quickly find you have an odor issue. Aside from ensuring all waste is properly sealed, you can spray the trash bags with a taste deterrent. This option is non-toxic, but produces a foal taste on the bag, which can deter pests. You can find taste deterrents online or at a local pet store.

·         Chemical Agents - You can use a variety of chemicals inside the dumpster to eliminate odors, including lime powder and clay car litter. Lime powder is cheap and effective, however be sure to be careful when handling it, as it can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Clay cat litter is also an inexpensive drying agent that can absorb both liquids and odors, and will not irritate your skin.

·         Clean the Dumpster – Aside from the above, you can clean your dumpster with a pressure washer and a variety of chemicals, such as chlorine bleach, vinegar, and even degreasing liquid dishwashing soap.

The experts at Global Trash Solutions (GTS) also offer a product that eliminates waste odor. Sonozaire® Odor Neutralizer has become the industry standard for controlling waste odor. Rather than mask trash odor with “perfumes,” Sonozaire generates ozone from atmospheric oxygen to eliminate odors and slow bacterial growth. For more information, contact your knowledgeable GTS representative at (866) 760-8194. You can also send an email to newsletter@globaltrashsolutions.com, or visit our website at https://globaltrashsolutions.com/.