Environmental Issues With Recycling Bins

Recycling bins have an environmental impact.

Using recycling bins is one way to reduce your carbon footprint and do your bit for the environment. But the impact of producing recycling bins has to be factored into your decision to recycle.

Oil Resources

Around 8 percent of global oil resources go into making plastics every year, and oil is a finite resource. The fact that most recycling bins are made of plastic has an environmental impact.

Carbon Emissions

It takes a lot of energy to manufacture plastic which will leave a substantial carbon footprint. The manufacture of plastic also cause emissions during the process chemical pollutants and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Solutions

To reduce the impact of using recycling bins, buy durable bins that don't need to be replaced as often. Buying locally manufactured bins will reduce the need for shipping or transport. And try to buy bins that are made out of recycled content or buy secondhand bins.

References

• LowCGen: Recycling Receycling
• Guardian UK: Can recycling bins be evil?