Reducing risks

Implicit in the Beyond Waste vision is that reducing and eliminating toxics will lessen environmental and health risks. How are Beyond Waste efforts affecting those risk factors?

Click on the charts below for details on each indicator:

We are seeing mixed results in our efforts to reduce risks from toxics:

There are fewer toxic releases from manufacturers into the environment which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) modeling efforts, has lessened risks to Washington citizens.

Purchases of lawn and garden pesticides are increasing, but the overall toxicity of the pesticides is decreasing resulting in lower risks to humans and ecosystems.

Consumer purchasing habits have led to more greenhouse gas emissions occurring both within and beyond our state, which increases the risks of climate change. However, more recycling could help reverse this trend.

There is an increase in the ecosystem toxicity from consumer purchases in Washington State.