Spring brings change all around! As the trees turn from bare to blossoming, it reminds us to kick off the season of renewal with a clean, decluttered space. Believe it or not, Spring cleaning also has a ton of health benefits too! It can reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, and help you avoid illnesses. Fortunately, the Hudson County Improvement Authority is ready to help you prepare for Spring cleaning with several upcoming opportunities to safely dispose of unwanted personal documents and confidential information that clutters your home.
Why Should I Shred Paper?
In addition to decluttering your home this Spring, shredding paper can protect your personal information from people who are trying to steal it. Identity theft is a common crime used to steal personal and sensitive information across the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 4 million tons of junk mail are sent to Americans annually. In addition to this junk mail or address mix-up, important mail like bank statements can easily fall into the wrong hands. Shredding personal documents and sensitive materials is the best and only way to protect yourself from identity theft and keep your confidential information secure. Shredding paper can also help you save on storage space, remove fire hazards and help the environment!
As the holiday season quickly approaches, family and friends gather to celebrate yearly traditions and make new memories with one another. It’s no surprise that food is the focal point of many of these holiday traditions and memories. Unfortunately, during this time of the year, millions of pounds of food remain uneaten and end up in landfills. In fact, I Love A Clean San Diego, which is an environmental nonprofit in San Diego County, estimates Americans waste 25% more food during Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than the rest of the year. Food waste negatively impacts food security, the environment and climate change. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans throw out more than 400 pounds of food per person each year. From people throwing away uneaten turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and other seasonal treats, food waste is a growing problem that we must tackle.
It’s that time of the year again when pumpkin spice, football, Fall leaves and cool crisp air hastily move in to kick-off Autumn. The change in seasons brings an exciting opportunity to get your home organized and ready for the Winter months. Fortunately, Hudson County Improvement Authority is ready to help you prepare with several upcoming opportunities to safely dispose of unwanted personal documents and confidential information that clutters your home.
Why Should I Shred Paper?
Believe it or not, thieves can and will dig through recycling bins, garbage cans or other trash receptacles to find your personal information and steal it. Identity theft is a common crime used to steal personal and sensitive information across the United States. The Insurance Information Institute estimated that 4.8 million identity theft and fraud reports were received by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020. With millions of Americans and businesses impacted by identity theft each year, personal documents should never be disposed of in regular garbage cans or recycling bins. Shredding personal documents and sensitive materials is the best and only way to protect yourself from identity theft and keep your confidential information secure. Shredding paper can also help you save on storage space, remove fire hazards, and help the environment!
Plastic is an essential part of our daily lives. Since the discovery of plastic around 60 -70 years ago, plastic has many beneficial impacts on modern life including the development of computers, cell phones and advances in modern medicine and transportation. Nowadays, plastic can be found almost everywhere and in literally everything including oceans, parks, roadways, and our own front yards.
They don’t call us the Garden State for nothing. New Jersey is known throughout the United States for having the best bagels, pizza, beautiful beaches, diverse cultures, and Bruce Springsteen. Despite our notable culture, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States, which makes us a prime dumping ground for toxic and non-toxic waste. Litter includes waste that is intentionally and unintentionally disposed of by humans. Litter and illegal dumping, negatively impacts and threatens humans, the environment, economic development, the safety of our water and climate. Litter also carries a significant financial cost and requires New Jersey tax dollars to cleanup.
Litter, universally known as improperly managed waste, exists in every aspect of our life in New Jersey. As litter breaks down in the environment, by-products, chemicals and microparticles are released, affecting the quality of life for humans, wildlife, and our environment. Nearly 350 million plastic bags were littered on United States roadways and waterways in 2020 and it takes around 1,000 years for one plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Americans use around 380 billion plastic bags and wraps each year, only about 5% are recycled. Littering is a major concern not only for New Jerseyans but for all of mankind.
