What Materials Can Be Recycled?
Between the years of 2003 and 2008, the recycling industry experienced a growth of over 7%. Awareness about the importance of keeping waste out of our landfills has been increasing rapidly. The price of recyclable commodities has risen along with an increase in the volume of waste. In 83% of situations, recycling a product is the most efficient method of disposal. Nearly any product can be recycled when individuals are dedicated to responsible waste disposal. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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The most popular recyclable materials are paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. When recycling paper it is important to note the specifications of the recycling bin. Some will accept magazines and colored papers while others only take newspapers. Plastic items are identified with a unique number between 1 and 7 which determines how and where it can be recycled. Glass is usually sorted by color into three categories: green, brown, and clear. In addition to these common items, you can also recycle products such as paint, batteries, motor oil, tin and steel.
Function
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Recycling is the process of turning used materials into new products. This prevents the waste caused by sending these items to a landfill. As well, this prevents the consumption of raw materials and energy used to manufacture new products. Landfilling causes water pollution and incineration causes air pollution, making recycling the most environmentally friendly process of waste disposal possible. Recycling generally creates a continual supply of the same product. Glass is recycled into glass; paper is recycled into paper; and so on. However, many new and innovative recycling processes can break out of this pattern. Polyester yarn can be made from recycled plastics, and sports courts can be made from recycled shoes.
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Identification
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The various types of plastics can be identified by a unique umber which should be present somewhere on the product with a recycling symbol. The most common type of plastic is the number 1. This includes soda and water bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing containers, and medicine containers to name just a few. The next most common is number 2. Type 2 plastics include laundry detergent and bleach containers, milk jugs, shampoo bottles and yogurt tubs. Plastic types 3 through 7 are less common, but should still be considered as these unique plastics are still accepted at many recycling facilities.
Misconceptions
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Many critics of recycling will argue that the process of recycling uses more energy that the manufacture of new products. It is important to keep in mind that while recycling can consume some energy and resources, it uses a great deal less than it would to create new products. It should be taken into consideration that manufacturing a product from scratch requires the use of raw materials, many of which are non-renewable.
Considerations
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Dedicated individuals can find ways to recycle a wide variety of materials. For products that cannot be recycled, the first consideration should be reuse. Anything from cell phones and computers to bicycles can be reused through various organizations. Websites such as Freecycle and Craigslist connect people with items to get rid of with those looking for something new. Any action that can be taken to prevent items from going to the landfill will benefit the global environment.
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