So the dictionary definition states:
- To convert (waste) into reusable material.
- To process/convert into something you can reclaim/recover/salvage/save
- To return (material) to a previous stage in a cyclic process.
The recycling industry
This industry is actually a multi billion dollar industry globally so it’s no wonder that so many of us place great importance on making sure our natural resources are protected and more base materials that are needed during the manufacturing process actually come from used materials in the form of recycled content.
For many new products that are made the amount of energy and other materials needed are often reduced by two thirds or more.
For some industries, the recycling option can be cost prohibitive, however, for about half of all recyclable production, it has resulted in drastic reductions in water pollution as well as a certain amount of improvement in air quality too.
Recycling Program
Most of us use recycling services and in many countries, it’s not only encouraged but enforced.
Our local governments provide us with curbside bins and many with different types to ensure we don’t toss multiple materials into just one bin and we keep the same materials in just one recycling container.
Sadly, for larger families, this curbside collection just isn’t enough and many need to locate drop off centers for their recyclable materials. Luckily many of these drop off sites allow you to recycle items as often as you need giving you more recycling options than hoarding unwelcome stuff.
Recycling Process
Now your recyclable materials are in the recycling bin, the recycle process can begin. The trucks, loaded with the recycled material converge on the recycling depots to unload and begin to sort the materials into their base types.
Recycling Facilities
These facilities offer many recycling programs to recycle materials based on type and need. These facilities work closely with manufacturers who are part of the programs and want to do their part by reusing as much as possible.
Recycled Materials
Food waste
Often one of the largest sources of solid waste that enters the waste stream cycle. For many of us that live in urban areas, there is little to nothing we can do to reuse food scraps and so they find their way, reluctantly into landfills.
Fortunately for us, many food upcycling schemes are popping up where bulk food items are no longer discarded but are taken and creatively turned into food dishes that are welcomed by many
Plastic
We have seen it all before, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic wrap, plastic caps, laundry detergent bottles, and even bubble wrap. We see it everywhere now. In bins, in the street, in rivers, and seas. Plastic is one of the most added items to your recycling bin so being aware of this can help us to increase our recycling options and do things like bag recyclables together where they will be more visible and so more impactful to us.
If we took a moment to think about our purchases we could reduce this pollution drastically before it’s too late.
Paper
In the US alone the amount of recycled paper is a fraction of what we could recycle. The US recycles around 68% or roughly 48 million tons of paper each year. If we got this up to 90% we would save hundreds of thousands of trees from being chopped down.
Aluminum cans
Cans like aluminum beverage cans and aerosol cans are regulars in many landfills but they don’t need to be. The good news is that aluminum can be recycled easily and turned into new raw materials with a reduction of 95% in energy costs.
Glass bottles
Bottles, jars, and other glass containers are almost infinitely recyclable, once clean and sorted into colors they can be ground down, heated, and turned into new glass, saving not only landfills but our global supply of sand which is essential for making glass.
Cardboard boxes
For large companies like Amazon, cardboard is an essential component of their business model, however, the impact of this on our environment is getting more noticeable year on year, more so as we are slowly abandoning physical stores for digital alternatives.
Scrap metal
Metal is one of the easiest recyclables to reuse. Both non ferrous and ferrous metals are way underutilized when it comes to recycling. The good news is that we are becoming more aware of this and recycle rates are increasing.
Electronic waste
Computers and other e waste materials are often seen as difficult and cumbersome to recycle but many people are not aware that they contain many valuable materials like gold, platinum, and copper.
Companies such as Best Buy have buy back centres where they are looking to capitalize on these valuable assets and often pay to take old tech off peoples hands.