What is the problem? Why is there so much garbage everywhere? Is it that we use too many resources that are non-recyclable? Or is it that we just don't recycle? In Northern America alone we produce 70,000 filled garbage trucks, just in one day over an entire year those garbage trucks lined up bumper to bumper could reach halfway to the moon, about 119,450 miles. Or you could burry over 990,000 football fields under six foot high piles of garbage. Americans on average produce 4.4 pounds of garbage each day, 29 pounds a week, and 1,600 pounds a year, imagine how much garbage someone uses in their lifetime! Paper waste which IS recyclable is 35% of waste, and about 70% of waste is recyclable. About 70% of what you put into your garbage is recyclable.

Here's how to HELP:
Many problems are easily avoidable; it's whether or not you're willing to put something in the recycle bin rather than the garbage. Want to help? Recycling is the number one solution to the garbage problem. Things that can be recycled are: cans, glass, bottles, paper, holiday wrapping paper (with the holidays coming up), and gift boxes. Also, when you look at the bottom of that plastic container and see that triangle, if it is a number one to four it is recyclable. One is the best, meaning it takes the least energy to decompose it. So the main things that should be going into garbage's are food wastes. So start composting at your house, where you can put any vegetable, fruit, or coffee grounds you don't eat, also saving your trip to the garden store for soil! What cannot be recycled which many people think can is: things like coffee cups, Jamba juice containers, plastic bags (although they can be reused). Also, Light Bulbs Crystal Clay Pots, Ceramics, Mirrors, Window Glass, Drinking Glasses, Toys, Plastic Glasses, Foam Products, Plastic Knives, Forks, Spoons, and Heat Resistant Ovenware. If you find yourself with a lot of plastic bags, save them reuse them as much as you can, but bring in cloth bags that you can use over and over again. Keep them in your car, so when you go shopping it is easy to just grab them and go. What can also help is reusing pass down old clothes, old furniture, etc. to friends, relatives, or your local second hand store. Also, stop by there and get new clothes that tend to be a lot cheaper.

A major effect that has been caused by too much garbage is the plastic "island" forming in between the U.S costal line and Hawaii, it is twice the size of Texas, and 80% of it is garbage waste. In the last 57 years we have created as much garbage as all of the generations before us. Creating so much garbage creates the need for landfills.

So now it is up to YOU to help save what is left of the planet. Always remember the four R's Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, and Rot. Recycle when and what you can. Reuse your plastic bags when you don't have cloth bags. Reduce to smaller amounts of non recyclables, and compost you fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds.

References
http://www.panda.org/news_facts/education/middle_school/homework_help/webfield_trips/waste_disposal/index.com
http://ecofoot.org
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-much-garbage-does-a-person-create-in-one-year.htm
http://educ.queensu.ca/~fmc/november2003/november_28.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040520-homsec-spending.htm
http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2216808&page=1
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1168010425128.shtm