Ohio is known for a lot of things! It is one of the fifty states in the United States of America, located in the Midwest region. Ohio is home to many famous people, including Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, and eight U.S. Presidents, including William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes.
Ohio is also known for its beautiful nature, with many state parks and forests, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hocking Hills State Park, and Mohican State Park. The state is also home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is located in Cleveland, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Canton.
Another thing Ohio is known for is its food. The state is famous for its Buckeye candies, which are chocolate-covered peanut butter balls that look like the nuts of the Buckeye tree, and for its Cincinnati-style chili, which is a unique type of chili served over spaghetti.
Sustainability in Ohio
Ohio has made strides in sustainability, but how does it compare to other states in the USA? Ohio ranks 40th in the nation for environmental friendliness, according to a 2019 report by WalletHub. This study compared all 50 states based on three key factors: environmental quality, eco-friendly behaviors, and climate-change contributions.
Ohio scored relatively high in eco-friendly behaviors, which included metrics such as green building certifications, energy consumption, and renewable energy usage. However, the state scored lower on environmental quality, which took into account factors such as air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste disposal. Ohio’s climate-change contributions were also ranked low, which was based on factors like carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption per capita.
Despite not ranking as high as some other states, Ohio has taken steps to improve sustainability in recent years. The state has implemented initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, and promote sustainable agriculture.
For example, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has launched programs to increase the use of electric vehicles and reduce food waste. Additionally, Ohio has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2025, compared to levels from 2005. Ohio still has room for improvement, but the state’s efforts towards sustainability show promise for a more eco-friendly future.
Recycling in Ohio
Ohio is one of the leading states in the United States when it comes to recycling. According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohioans recycled over 4.9 million tons of waste in 2018, with a recycling rate of 32.6%. This is a significant increase from the previous year’s recycling rate of 28.4%.
The most commonly recycled items in Ohio are paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics. In fact, Ohio is home to several paper and cardboard recycling mills, which process materials collected from all over the state. Additionally, Ohio has a strong recycling infrastructure, with over 400 recycling facilities located throughout the state.
Ohio also has a number of initiatives aimed at increasing recycling rates, such as the Ohio Materials Marketplace, which connects businesses and organizations with waste materials to those who can use them as raw materials. Additionally, Ohio’s “Recycling Market Development Grant” program provides funding to businesses and organizations that are working to develop new markets for recycled materials.
Overall, Ohio’s commitment to recycling has helped to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserve natural resources.
How to Recycle in Ohio
Recycling is an important practice that helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and contributes to environmental pollution. In Ohio, there are a few things you can do to make sure your recyclables are properly sorted and disposed of.
Firstly, it is important to know what can and cannot be recycled. Common items that can be recycled include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, aluminum cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items that cannot be recycled include plastic bags, food-contaminated materials, and Styrofoam.
Secondly, make sure to properly sort your recyclables. This means separating them by material type and ensuring that they are clean and free of food residue. You can then place them in your designated recycling bin or take them to a recycling center.
Finally, it is important to check with your local recycling program to see if they have any specific guidelines or restrictions on what can be recycled in your area. Some communities may have different rules or regulations, so it is best to check before disposing of your recyclables.
By following these steps, you can help do your part in promoting sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in Ohio.
Here are links to help you and your family recycle in Ohio:
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
CLICK HERE
Ohio Materials Marketplace
CLICK HERE
OEPA Recycling
CLICK HERE
OEPA Recycling Center Directory
CLICK HERE
If you enjoyed learning about this, I urge you to join our community of environmentally conscious individuals and share your tips and experiences on living sustainably! If you’d like to feature your website or have any additional resources please feel free to reach out.
