Much of the information was provided by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is current as of May 1997. The tour highlights several integrated solid waste management options, including energy recovery, recycling and landfilling. Managing the materials discarded by society, using the entire menu of options like those outlined here, improves our ability to conserve resources. Simply stated, by using the earth's resources wisely. Some everyday actions include carpooling to work or taking public transportation, turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, selecting the energy saver mode on your dishwasher, turning down thermostats at night during the winter, and purchasing products with the most efficient packaging.
Plastics contribute to resource conservation from production through end use and disposal.