Thought this was interesting

[MannyIsGod]

You don't know who generates the garbage but you know who doesn't? Ok then.

The wording that the average American vs per capita is different and they imply different things but not drastically so. The point is that unless you can point to a large enough subset of America that is generating huge amounts of solid waste and throwing off the average significantly then the figures are likely accurate.

[cantthinkofanything]

Something extremely simple for residential neighborhoods with the 64-gal provided containers for mechanized pickup:

Every even month, the containers go on the even side of the street, and same for odd month.

This means the truck only has to make one circuit through the area, rather than up and down each street, cutting noise and fuel consumption and maybe number of trucks way down.

If you really wanna be freaked out, look at the pounds of sugar per USA capita over the last several decades.

Where I live, the truck only makes one circuit anyway and the guys run to both sides of the street to grab the bins.

[The Principal]

You don't know who generates the garbage but you know who doesn't? Ok then.

The wording that the average American vs per capita is different and they imply different things but not drastically so. The point is that unless you can point to a large enough subset of America that is generating huge amounts of solid waste and throwing off the average significantly then the figures are likely accurate.

The statment makes absolute since. I don't know who does something but I know who doesn't. I know you can't really be so dense as to not get that. Obiously, I don't know EVERYONE that doesn't or by process of elimination, I could tell you who does.

But as an example, I know someone drives through my neighborhood every night screeching tires and honking. I know it's not me. And I know 1000 other people that it's not. But even with all that, I don't know who it is.

And the difference between "the average American" and "the average of Americans" can be drastically different. In this case, I think it is significant. Without any backup, you can't say that the figures are likely accurate. You have no idea. Emperically, I believe that the average American does not generate 4.4 pounds of trash per day.

[MannyIsGod]

The difference is that one of us is using figures to come to a reasonable conclusion and the other is using absolutely nothing. The reason you know its not you making those noises is at night is due to observation. You KNOW where you are at that time. Yet, you admit you have no clue as to how much garbage you generate and yet at the same time want to act as if you know how much you don't generate when there are figures that contradict your "gut feeling".

Given what goes into these figures (which can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/munici...msw2009-fs.pdf) I think the burden of proof to show that the average American generates less garbage is a bit more than "I know".

Thats not to say its a constant 4.4lbs every day. Obviously certain days will be more than others and some may be drastically more than others.

[DMC]

I know how heavy 4.4 pounds is. I lift it every time I take a leak.

Your skirt weights 4.4lbs?

/LC

[The Principal]

The difference is that one of us is using figures to come to a reasonable conclusion and the other is using absolutely nothing. The reason you know its not you making those noises is at night is due to observation. You KNOW where you are at that time. Yet, you admit you have no clue as to how much garbage you generate and yet at the same time want to act as if you know how much you don't generate when there are figures that contradict your "gut feeling".

Given what goes into these figures (which can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/munici...msw2009-fs.pdf) I think the burden of proof to show that the average American generates less garbage is a bit more than "I know".

Thats not to say its a constant 4.4lbs every day. Obviously certain days will be more than others and some may be drastically more than others.

I'm not the one that wrote an article saying the "average American" generates 4.4 pounds of garbage per day. Whoever wrote it and used that particular phrase needs to back it up. They backed up a different statement.

Ok, as to my example, I can name 1000 other people who I know didn't do it. Not because I observed anything. But because I can reasonably assume it.

And LOL about your claim the EPA is in "the know".

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, the EPA conducting studies on the issue on a yearly basis obviously knows less than your gut feelings.

My bad.

[The Principal]

Yeah, the EPA conducting studies on the issue on a yearly basis obviously knows less than your gut feelings.

My bad.

Government agencies are notorious for inaccurate data and erroneous assumptions.

[MannyIsGod]

Obviously your gut feelings have a track record of incredible accuracy.