*MTCE (Metric tons of carbon equivalent) and MTCO.,E (Metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions) are
<br />figures commonly used when discussing greenhouse gas emissions.
<br />What do all these numbers mean?
<br />The numbers above help municipalities calculate and track their environmental footprint. For
<br />more information about the process of measuring the environmental benefits of waste reduction,
<br />visit littn : / /ela.gov /clirnatechange /vaycd /waste /measureglig.htnll #click.
<br />These numbers, however, don't have much meaning to the average person. To help recyclers
<br />understand the significance of their actions, the EPA has also developed tools to translate these
<br />numbers into equivalent examples that people can more easily understand.
<br />• For example, using the figures above, the EPA estimates that Roseville would have had
<br />to remove 1,608 cars from the road for one year to have had the same
<br />environmental impact in 2013 as they did by recycling. To achieve this,
<br />approximately 10% of Roseville's households would have had to give up one car for a
<br />year.
<br />• Another example of how these efforts can be translated into energy savings can be found
<br />in the EPA calculator. It shows that the energy savings gained by the recycling efforts of
<br />Roseville's residents in 2013 could power 385 homes for one year (over 2.5% of
<br />households).
<br />Although WARM is the most widely peer - reviewed and accepted model, it is considered to have
<br />several Flaws. Many believe the use of this calculator is conservative and understates the real
<br />impact of waste reduction efforts, but it offers a conservative starting place to measure our impacts
<br />and work towards our goals. Even with these conservative calculations, the impacts of Roseville's
<br />recycling program prove to be quite significant.
<br />(httl2://cl2a.gov/climatechanVe/wycd/waste/calctilators/Warm Form.html)
<br />9
<br />Total
<br />Recycling
<br />Carbon Equivalent Reduction
<br />Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Reduction
<br />2006
<br />3,441 tons
<br />2,328 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />8,537 metric tons (MTCO2E)
<br />2007
<br />3,682 tons
<br />2,460 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />9,018 metric tons (MTCOzE)
<br />2008
<br />3,556 tons
<br />2,383 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />8,736 metric tons (MTCO,E)
<br />2009
<br />3,281 tons
<br />2,206 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />8,090 metric tons (MTCO2E)
<br />2010
<br />3,322 tons
<br />2,303 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />8,443 metric tons (MTCO2E)
<br />2011
<br />3,244 tons
<br />2,190 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />8,030 metric tons (MTCOzE)
<br />2012
<br />3,173 tons
<br />2,090 metric tons (MTCE *)
<br />7,663 metric tons (MTCO2E)
<br />2013
<br />3,225 tons
<br />2,104 metric tons (MT(E *)
<br />7,716 metric tons (MT(02E)
<br />*MTCE (Metric tons of carbon equivalent) and MTCO.,E (Metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions) are
<br />figures commonly used when discussing greenhouse gas emissions.
<br />What do all these numbers mean?
<br />The numbers above help municipalities calculate and track their environmental footprint. For
<br />more information about the process of measuring the environmental benefits of waste reduction,
<br />visit littn : / /ela.gov /clirnatechange /vaycd /waste /measureglig.htnll #click.
<br />These numbers, however, don't have much meaning to the average person. To help recyclers
<br />understand the significance of their actions, the EPA has also developed tools to translate these
<br />numbers into equivalent examples that people can more easily understand.
<br />• For example, using the figures above, the EPA estimates that Roseville would have had
<br />to remove 1,608 cars from the road for one year to have had the same
<br />environmental impact in 2013 as they did by recycling. To achieve this,
<br />approximately 10% of Roseville's households would have had to give up one car for a
<br />year.
<br />• Another example of how these efforts can be translated into energy savings can be found
<br />in the EPA calculator. It shows that the energy savings gained by the recycling efforts of
<br />Roseville's residents in 2013 could power 385 homes for one year (over 2.5% of
<br />households).
<br />Although WARM is the most widely peer - reviewed and accepted model, it is considered to have
<br />several Flaws. Many believe the use of this calculator is conservative and understates the real
<br />impact of waste reduction efforts, but it offers a conservative starting place to measure our impacts
<br />and work towards our goals. Even with these conservative calculations, the impacts of Roseville's
<br />recycling program prove to be quite significant.
<br />(httl2://cl2a.gov/climatechanVe/wycd/waste/calctilators/Warm Form.html)
<br />9
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