Recycling waste materials can have a positive impact on our environment. Through recycling, we can conserve energy, save our environment, protect our natural resources and mitigate the effects of global warming.
According to the Stanford University’s research, by recycling one ton of steel, we can save 645 Kwh of energy, 1.8 barrels of oil, 10.9 million BTU’s of energy and 4 cubic yards of landfill space.
Environmentalists predict that by 2050, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills. In US there are currently more than 2,000 plastic landfills and only 9% of the plastic that is disposed off actually makes it to the recycling plants. Similarly, it was reported that the construction industry in USA produces around 125 million tons of debris every year and only 2% of the building material is recycled.
If we were to recycle even 50% of the waste that we produce on a daily basis we, could not only conserve energy for future generations, but we could also restore our natural habitats and protect our environment from pollution, bio hazards, and the adverse effects of climate change.
Recycling of waste materials can be as easy as ABC. You just have to bear in mind these simple do’s and don’ts of recycling and within no time you will be able to notice the ripple effects of your good deed.
The Do’s of Recycling
- Always separate your waste that needs to be recycled. Ensure that you have categorized your waste according to its material and make. Have separate recycling bins for each category e.g. glass, plastic, paper and metal.
- Always flatten the carboard boxes before you leave them out for recycling. Flattened carboard boxes occupy less space in the recycling bins and dumpsters. Moreover, it saves time and energy of the staff members at the recycling plants who are sorting through the paper waste.
- Make sure before you throw out cans and containers, they are empty and have been rinsed thoroughly. Soft drinks and food waste not only rot inside and make dumpsters smell bad, but it can also spoil other recyclable waste material like paper waste.
- Only recycle glass bottles and jars. Shards of broken window glass, vases, stemware and drinking glasses are of a different make and cannot be recycled with the other normal glass. Also, remove the metal lids from your jar and recycle them separately with other metal.
- Plastic bottles that are labelled 1, 2, 4 and 5 are the most commonly accepted plastics for recycling. So, check the number at the bottom before you throw the bottle in the recycling bin.
- When recycling tins, make sure that the sharp edges have either been smoothed or if it comes with the lid, then the lid is still attached. Sharp and uneven edges of tins and cans can injure the staff collecting your waste.
- You should always flatten the beverage cans before discarding them in the recycling bin.
- Reuse aluminum foil, trays and pie plates. You can easily wipe it clean and use it next time for baking or food packaging. When you do dispose it off, make sure its empty and has been wiped clean.
The Don’ts of Recycling
- Don’t flatten cartons (juice and milk cartons) or plastic bottles. But do make sure they are empty of all liquid before you dispose them for recycling.
- Don’t tie your shredded paper waste in a plastic bag. Instead put it in a paper bag, seal it and label it as “shredded paper”. This way, the whole package can be sent for paper recycling in without wasting time on taking shredded paper out of the plastic bag.
- Don’t throw your plastic shopping bags with other plastic waste. You can reuse plastic bags to carry or store other things at your home. It is recommended that you take carry a reusable cloth bag for grocery shopping to reduce your use of plastic bags.
- Don’t just simply dispose all kinds of plastic bottles and containers in the recycling bin. In many states, the recycling plants do not recycle plastic containers and bottles that have been numbered 3, 6 and 7, due to potential health risks. Recycling these plastics releases harmful chemicals in the environment that adversely affect our health.
- Don’t recycle half full or unclean milk. Don’t simply throw them in the recycling bin. You can reuse these cartons for creative DIY projects, so first check if anybody is in need of them.
- Don’t put your empty pizza boxes in the recycling bin. Even though the pizza box can be recycled, the food residue and grease on the cardboard pizza box will disrupt the recycling process. To recycle cardboard, it is mixed with water to form a thick blend, but because the grease is insoluble in water, the resulting mixture is not smooth and cannot be easily recycled.
- Do not dispose old electronic devices and waste as metals or glass. Keep them separate and label the bag as ‘E-waste’.
- Avoid throwing out glass bottles and jars. Instead, turn them into creative work of arts. Although glass bottles and jars can be recycled, you can reuse these jars and bottles as containers or holders for your home. This is a cost effective and environmentally friendly technique to decorate and furnish your home.
In USA, only one-third of the total waste produced is recycled. If we aim to recycle 75% of our waste materials like ; plastic, glass, metal and paper, the effect on pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing 50 cars from the road.
We play our part in conserving energy and protecting the environment by effective waste management practices. You too can contribute by recycling your building materials. For debris collection and recycling, call us now at 877-909-1001 as we provide the best dumpster rental service in and around Detroit, Michigan.
So, follow the don’s and don’ts of recycling and become the new generation of environment lovers.