Expert: Nick Sparks Date: 2/28/2006 Subject: Math in Waste Management?
Question First off, thanks for answering my question quickly.
My problem with waste management is math. I really don't like math classes because I feel I will never use what I learn ever. My geometry I learned last year I have all but forgotten. I remember what obtuse and acute angles are and that there are 360 degrees in a circle but that's it. I just feel we could be learning more applicable math. Math involved in savings, the stock market, investing. Math that will save you money in the future!
How much math do you use for your company is or it only accounting and such? What does your small company recycle? I'm guessing you get a profit out of it. Can't imagaine you'd have too many employees?
Thanks,
Mike Krysinski
Answer Hi Mike,
Hire a bookkeeper for the accounting. We mostly use a little bit of geometry to measure volume, such as how many cubic yards will fit in a dumpster.
We have had twenty employees at peak. It goes up abd down. And yes, we recycle to make money. People have a lot of misperceptions about the economics of recycling. Here's how we do it:
People pay us to take away a load of stuff (we get income)
We pull recyclables out of the trash (we save on dump fees)
We sell the recyclables, or at least get rid of them cheaper than dumping them would cost (we get income and/or save money)
I believe that to make money most types of recycling need to be harnessed to a waste collection business.
We recycling drywall, wood, shingles, various metals, masonry, various grades of paper and some glass and ceramics depending on market conditions.
I also found most math of dubious value, at least after a little algebra and geometry. I would prefer they taught mnath to those who really intend to use it rather than waste our time, but such is life.
