On one hand it's great to see everyone trying to recycle. On the other hand, not everything recycles well. With that in mind, it may be helpful to group everything as follows:
Paid Recyclables, aka, Money Trash
Some recyclables you pay a deposit for at the store in order to pay for its collection and re-use. This includes:
Aluminium
Glass
Type 2 and 3 Plastics
Aluminium is usually welcome in any form, except foil that has been used for cooking. Keep in mind that you need to make sure that all of the liquid has drained out as some centers deduct weight if too much liquid drains out during weighing. Also, while crushed cans take up less space during transport, and can be fun or used as a stress reliever when crushed, they don't weigh any more or less than un-flattened cans.
Glass is best divided by color as different colors are worth different amounts at the recycling center, as opposed to a single cheap price if it is lumped together. So separating your glass ahead of time saves you time and makes you some money.
Plastic is the problem child here: The different grades of plastic are used for different things or are made slightly different, meaning that recycling them is also different. Some types of plastic use more softeners or have been processed differently; milk containers, for example, are a little more brittle. As recycling centers have noted this, this means that they only take in two types of plastic. Also note that they usually don't accept plastic bags.
E-Waste
Basically, if it is powered, provides power, or otherwise contains chips, it is electronic waste and needs to be disposed of differently, ie, not in the regular waste. This is because some of the materials used to produce them can be hazardous to the environment, especially if they get into the local water supply. So please dispose of this stuff properly.
Automotive Waste
Oil and some other fluids can be taken to a car parts place or some recycling centers o be recycled or otherwise disposed of. As they can create environmental dangers of their own if disposed of improperly, please try t get rid of them responsibly.
Sharps Waste
For most households, any medical waste, including pills and expired medicines, can be just thrown away, although if your local hospital or pharmacy can take them in go for it. However, some types of medical waste, especially syringes and other sharp pointed objects must be disposed of properly. Your options are pretty much limited to talking to your local waste services, who may charge a fee, or finding a location that takes it in. You will need to put them in closed container with reasonably thick walls. Although a red container that has been made for it is advised, a soda bottle can work, provided it has a lid.
Other Recyclables
Some cities have bins that are meant for recyclables. Although this is for items that can be recycled, sometimes other trash can end up in the bin as well. In general, if if it's plastic, paper, metal, glass, or rubber send it to the recycling bin with three provisos:
1) If it's paper and was used for food storage it's now trash. Yeah, that includes pizza boxes. In 2009 recyclers spent $700,000,000 repairing their machinery because of the grease in those boxes.
2) Laminated cardboard is also gone. It's just too hard to recycle.
3) If you can, wash things before putting them in the bin, but don't stress over it.
Trash
Everything else. Especially those pizza boxes.
Hopefully this helps..
Paid Recyclables, aka, Money Trash
Some recyclables you pay a deposit for at the store in order to pay for its collection and re-use. This includes:
Aluminium
Glass
Type 2 and 3 Plastics
Aluminium is usually welcome in any form, except foil that has been used for cooking. Keep in mind that you need to make sure that all of the liquid has drained out as some centers deduct weight if too much liquid drains out during weighing. Also, while crushed cans take up less space during transport, and can be fun or used as a stress reliever when crushed, they don't weigh any more or less than un-flattened cans.
Glass is best divided by color as different colors are worth different amounts at the recycling center, as opposed to a single cheap price if it is lumped together. So separating your glass ahead of time saves you time and makes you some money.
Plastic is the problem child here: The different grades of plastic are used for different things or are made slightly different, meaning that recycling them is also different. Some types of plastic use more softeners or have been processed differently; milk containers, for example, are a little more brittle. As recycling centers have noted this, this means that they only take in two types of plastic. Also note that they usually don't accept plastic bags.
E-Waste
Basically, if it is powered, provides power, or otherwise contains chips, it is electronic waste and needs to be disposed of differently, ie, not in the regular waste. This is because some of the materials used to produce them can be hazardous to the environment, especially if they get into the local water supply. So please dispose of this stuff properly.
Automotive Waste
Oil and some other fluids can be taken to a car parts place or some recycling centers o be recycled or otherwise disposed of. As they can create environmental dangers of their own if disposed of improperly, please try t get rid of them responsibly.
Sharps Waste
For most households, any medical waste, including pills and expired medicines, can be just thrown away, although if your local hospital or pharmacy can take them in go for it. However, some types of medical waste, especially syringes and other sharp pointed objects must be disposed of properly. Your options are pretty much limited to talking to your local waste services, who may charge a fee, or finding a location that takes it in. You will need to put them in closed container with reasonably thick walls. Although a red container that has been made for it is advised, a soda bottle can work, provided it has a lid.
Other Recyclables
Some cities have bins that are meant for recyclables. Although this is for items that can be recycled, sometimes other trash can end up in the bin as well. In general, if if it's plastic, paper, metal, glass, or rubber send it to the recycling bin with three provisos:
1) If it's paper and was used for food storage it's now trash. Yeah, that includes pizza boxes. In 2009 recyclers spent $700,000,000 repairing their machinery because of the grease in those boxes.
2) Laminated cardboard is also gone. It's just too hard to recycle.
3) If you can, wash things before putting them in the bin, but don't stress over it.
Trash
Everything else. Especially those pizza boxes.
Hopefully this helps..
No comments:
Post a Comment