Canadians across the country mark Remembrance Day
Today Canadians will remember and honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
Recycling can do more for the environment than previously known, according to a new U.S. which compared carbon mitigation strategies, such as a transition to electric vehicles and the use of clean energy, to more traditional environmental-protection approaches.
Researchers assessed the economic and environmental value of community recycling practices, and found recycling provides a return on investment similar to or better than more expensive environmental measures.
鈥淓liminating recycling squanders one of the easiest opportunities for communities and citizens to help lessen the impact of climate change and reduce our demands on natural resources,鈥 said Timothy Townsend, a professor of environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida and one of the study鈥檚 authors, in a . 鈥淩ecycling won鈥檛 solve the problem alone, but it is part of the puzzle.鈥
According to the study, which was published Monday in the journal Nature Sustainability, jurisdictions across the U.S. have either canceled or scaled back recycling programs as a result of increasing costs. The findings concluded that recent restrictions on recyclable material, previously gathered by international markets, largely contributed to the rise of costs.
The research team aimed to determine how expensive recycling programs are compared to general garbage collection. They also calculated the resale value of recyclable items to learn whether the recycling programs could pay for themselves with the right resold material. Aside from this economic assessment, the study also looks at the benefits of residential recycling systems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the findings, recycling markets were most lucrative back in 2011, with an average American household toll of US$3, but the financial burden of maintaining programs rose in 2018 鈥 following tighter restrictions 鈥 and continued to become more expensive through 2020, ranging from US$34 to US$42 per household.
Despite these higher costs, the study argues that investment in recycling effectively offsets the greenhouse gas emissions of non-recycled waste accumulating in landfills.
Based on the research, a solution is suggested by Townsend and fellow researcher Malak Anshassi, of Florida Polytechnic University, which can help communities reap the benefits of recycling without feeling the toll of financial pressures: If local governments restructure their recycling programs to target materials with the greatest market value and the highest potential for carbon offset, recycling can simultaneously pay for itself and reduce green house gas emissions, Townsend explained in the release.
The study identifies 鈥渉igher-value鈥 materials 鈥 meaning items that are profitable in the recycling market and also can reduce emissions if sold 鈥 as HDPE and PET plastic bottles, aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, and newspaper.
鈥淩ecycling is a public service provided by local governments to their residents, just like providing water, sewer, roads,鈥 Townsend said. 鈥淚t is a service that does have an expense, but it always has. I would argue that it does not cost much when you compare it to other services we pay for, and when markets are good, you hardly pay anything.鈥
The study also encourages municipalities to implement policies that help relieve the cost burden of recycling by distributing some of the responsibility to manufacturers. This could include a minimum amount of recyclable materials that manufacturers must include in packaging products.
鈥淚f we learn collectively to recycle better, we can reduce the costs to pretty much break even,鈥 Townsend says. 鈥淔rom an environmental perspective, that鈥檚 a good return on your investment.鈥
Today Canadians will remember and honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says that Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as "border czar" in his incoming administration.
Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court鈥檚 2022 Dobbs decision eliminated the federal right to abortion, miscarriage management has become trickier and in some cases, deadlier.
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.
In his column for CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the shift from renting to becoming a homeowner, and what you can start doing today to help the process go smoother.
A congestion crisis, a traffic nightmare, or unrelenting gridlock -- whatever you call it, most agree that Toronto has a congestion problem. To alleviate some of the gridlock, the Ontario government has announced it plans to remove bike lanes from three major roadways.
For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.
Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.
A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.
A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.
Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.
A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.