To: Professor Onuoha, Amen Comment by Amen Onuoha: Include this header section at the beginning of your document.
From: Jill Lile
Date: October 3, 2021
Subject: Does Single-Stream Recycling Save Energy and Resources? Comment by Amen Onuoha: The subject is a direct & specific question that the reader has.
This memo will answer the following questions: Comment by Amen Onuoha: At the beginning, highlight the main points / questions of the document. This section gives a preview of the document.
1. Does single-stream recycling (SSR) save energy and resources in Baltimore County?
2. Where’s the county’s positive SSR data?
3. How can you improve the SSR data?
Single-stream recycling does not save energy and resources in Baltimore County. Comment by Amen Onuoha: Answer the question upfront. The main answer is front and center and the details come later. (Deductive Style)
Since the switch to SSR in 2010, Baltimore County has recycled less and wasted more. The increased waste comes from recycled materials being contaminated as they are mixed into one container (Bell, 2018). Comment by Amen Onuoha: Use RESEARCHED support for your answers.
Example: If a yogurt container has yogurt remaining but is recycled, it soils the paper and other recycled materials that could have been saved if they were recycled separately.
Out of the horse’s mouth, “By practicing waste prevention…you are protecting the environment by conserving natural resources, extending landfill life and saving energy” (Baltimore County Government, 2018).
Baltimore County is doing the exact opposite of what it has said and, in turn, will make our communities unsafe for all residents, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Comment by Amen Onuoha: Notice how this header is question #2 in the preview. Use headers that relate back to your preview. If done here, you can use the same question you
Where’s the County’s Positive SSR Data?
Nowhere to be found.
The county boasts about the thousands of homes it services for recycling and floods its websites with pro single-stream recycling information. But nowhere on its sites will you find evidence-based data showing positive comparisons of before and after SSR.
If the county believes, and it does, that SSR is truly preserving the environment and saving natural resources and renewable energy, wouldn’t the county publicize some of its positive results? After much research, I found that such positive results do not exist.
The County’s Recycling Data Found
In 2009, the county implemented the initial stages of switching from multi-stream to single-stream recycling, so we’ll look at data from 2008. I’ll compare this data to the county’s latest recycling data, which is from 2017.
Note: Mandatorily, this data was reported to the state of Maryland, but the county did not share it on its own websites.
In the data, I’ll highlight total recycling and waste diversion rates (WDR). Waste diversion rate is the percentage of products that are prevented from entering the waste stream. “Waste diversion saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases and other pollutants generated in the manufacturing process and at disposal facilities. [It also] saves natural resources and reduces the amount of waste disposed at solid waste acceptance facilities” (Land, 2018).
2008 Data
In 2008, right before SSR, the county totaled more than 1.9 million tons of recycling and had a WDR of more than 60%.
Comment by Amen Onuoha: Use images where they are applicable. If an image/chart can emphasize your point more, use it.
2017 Data
In 2017, after SSR began, the county totaled about 860 thousand tons of recycling, more than a 50% decrease from 2008. The WDR was less than 45%, which is about a 20% decrease from 2008.
We can change this data for the better, but it’ll take your help.
How Can You Improve the Data?
1. Recycle and make sure your recyclables are clean.
2. Place your recyclables in a recycling bin or trash can marked with an “X.”
3. Find your recycling day by visiting https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/solid_waste/collection-schedule.html#/ and searching your address.
4. Place your recycling bin outside the night before.
With all of us educating ourselves, Baltimore County recycling totals will increase and waste diversion rates will decrease.
Comment by Amen Onuoha: Brief conclusion that tells the reader where they can find more info if needed. I hope this memo provided helpful information. If you’d like to learn more, visit baltimorecountymd.gov. Works Cited Bell, Brent. “The Battle Against Recycling Contamination is Everyone’s Battle.” Waste Management Media Room, 3 April 2018,
https://mediaroom.wm.com/the-battle-against-recycling-contamination-is-everyones-battle/. Accessed 10 July 2020.
Baltimore County Government. “Waste Prevention—Prevent Waste in the First Place.” Baltimore County Government, 23 July 2018,
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/wasteprevention.html. Accessed 9 July 2020.
Land and Materials Administration Resource Management Program. “Maryland Solid Waste Management and Diversion Report.” Maryland Department Of The Environment, 2018, p. 26, https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/LAND/AnalyticsReports/MSWMaDR%20%2718.pdf . Accessed 9 July 2020.
References Comment by Amen Onuoha: References are document / websites you learned from but didn’t directly quote.
Baltimore County Government. “Recycling: Frequently Asked Questions.” Baltimore County Government, 23 July 2018, https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/singlestreamfaq.html . Accessed 9 July 2020.
—. “Recycling Facts.” Baltimore County Government, 3 Feb. 2020,
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/recylfact.html. Accessed 9 July 2020.
Maryland Department of the Environment. “County Recyclables by Commodity in Tons for Calendar Year 2008.” Maryland Department of the Environment, December 2009, p. 31, https://mde.state.md.us/programs/LAND/SolidWaste/Documents/Solid%20Waste%20Management%20and%20Diversion%20Report_FINA.pdf . Accessed 9 July 2020.
—. “County Recyclables by Commodity in Tons for Calendar Year 2017” Maryland Department of the Environment, December 2018, https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/LAND/RecyclingandOperationsprogram/Documents/Table%2017.pdf . Accessed 9 July 2020.
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