Things Which Can Be Recycled
Recycling is very important when trying to lessen the impact of human behavior on the earth. Not only does recycling keep less trash out of landfills, but it decreases the amount of new material that needs to be made. Many items can be recycled, but it is necessary to check the area for recycling centers and make sure materials can be recycled in that location. Some areas pay people who recycle certain objects, like aluminum cans and glass bottles. Does this Spark an idea?
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Industrial Material
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Industrial materials recycling is also called beneficial use and involves "reusing or recycling byproduct materials generated from industrial processes," according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Recycling industrial material goes to manufacture roads, bridges, buildings and other items of infrastructure. The benefits of recycling industrial material include decreasing the need for virgin materials, saving energy, reducing greenhouse gases and reducing costs. Examples of industrial material reused are coal ash manufactured into ceiling tiles and crushed asphalt made into pavement.
Organic Material
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Organic material that can be recycled includes yard trimmings, wood waste, food remains and paper products. These items constitute the biggest section of human trash. Recycling organic material decreases greenhouse gas emissions, reduces pollution and eliminates the need for new trash sites. Though homeowners can usually leave bags of yard trimmings in front of the house where local government employees can pick them up for recycling, it is also possible for homeowners to maintain a personal compost pile for recycling yard trimmings and some food waste.
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Paper
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As of 2009, Americans recycled more than 60 percent of used paper. American paper mills are designed to process recycled paper, so it is important that citizens recycle as much paper as possible. The benefits of paper recycling include extending the fiber supply, reducing greenhouse gases and reducing water consumption. Light-weighting is another way of recycling and reducing paper. Light-weighting means "reducing the weight and/or volume of a package or container, which saves energy and raw materials," according to the EPA.
Additional Materials
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Other materials that can be recycled include glass and aluminum. In certain states, grocery stores or recycling centers will pay for glass bottles and aluminum cans. Most recycled glass goes to "food, soft drink, beer, food, wine and liquor containers," according to the EPA. Other objects made with recycled glass include appliances and furniture. Recycled aluminum goes into the manufacturing of beverage packaging, and a smaller amount goes into the creation of vehicles.
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References
- Environmental Protection Agency: Recycling
- Environmental Protection Agency: Basic Information
- Environmental Protection Agency: Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 200
- Environmental Protection Agency: Aluminum
- Environmental Protection Agency: Glass
- Environmental Protection Agency: Organic Materials
Resources
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