It's no secret that millions of books are sent to landfills every year, polluting our planet. However, the global society is actively seeking solutions to this problem by applying innovative technologies and joining forces.
A non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, launched a new initiative in Nanaimo. This initiative focuses on developing a process to convert damaged and unwanted books into eco-friendly fire logs.
Jeff Krafta, the executive director, devised this recycling method. The goal was to find a sustainable solution for disposing of books, particularly encyclopedias, which are difficult to recycle due to their composition.
The Process:
• Cut up books
• Separate bindings from pages
• Shred paper
• Convert shredded paper into pulp
• Dry and compress pulp into logs
The project prioritizes refining the production process to ensure consistent size and quality for the fire logs. Additionally, the logs are made from black-and-white printed paper only, maintaining their chemical-free nature.
The project aims to recycle 25,000 books this year, promoting waste reduction and material reuse within the solid waste management framework. This project shows how creative ideas, working together with the community and local government, can create a better way to manage waste. This approach fits well with Goal 12 for Sustainable Development: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal highlights reducing waste and finding new uses for old things.
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More information: https://www.habitatmvi.org/