Alaska Conservation Solutions

America's Garbage Heap

Each year Americans produce a mind-boggling 251 million tons of trash. Alaskans generate 6.6 pounds of trash per person per day -- 1.4 pounds more than the national average of 4.6 pounds!

Every item you purchase, from a bag of chips to a new home, has carbon emissions associated with its production. Consider purchases wisely, and try to reduce consumption. You'll save money and reduce carbon emissions every time you resist a purchase. 

To learn more about the costs associated with consumerism, visit The Story of Stuff, Reduce Waste and I(nternational) Buy Nothing Day!

Just One Example: The Bottled Water Craze

The carbon footprint and environmental impacts of bottled water are significant. It takes a lot of energy to manufacture, transport, and store bottled water. Experts estimate the plastic bottle manufacturing process alone consumes 17 million barrels of oil a year. Street litter and marine debris are costly concerns, as well. Marine debris is a major pollution problem affecting the world’s oceans, coasts, and watersheds. For more information about drinking water from the faucet, visit Water on Tap.