Benefits of Recycling Plastic

The first benefit is the fact that one ton of recycled plastic reduces landfill space by 7.5 cubic yards. It may not sound like much but when you consider the huge amounts of plastic that are not recycled each and every day it could make a huge difference in the amount of landfill space being used and needed. While many people aren’t overly concerned about landfill space at the moment there will come a time when everyone needs to be concerned about it.

Another benefit to recycling plastic one pound of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycled bottles can save approximately 12,000 BTUs (British thermal units) of heat energy. It adds up rather quickly.

It takes plastic bottles 700 years to even begin the process of decomposing. They will be littering our landfills for a very long time to come if they aren’t recycled unless we take measures today to begin recycling more plastic bottles and keep them out of our landfills.

In America alone four million plastic bottles are used every hour of the day. Of those four million only about one fourth of them are going to be recycled. That is a lot of plastic bottles heading off to our landfills each and every hour of the day.

There are a few other benefits of recycling plastic that bear mentioning. Recycling saves precious raw materials such as virgin bauxite ore. It saves energy and it creates jobs for the workers who work in various recycling centers around the country. Can you imagine the new jobs that would be created if everyone recycled?

In some states that are financial benefits to recycling plastic. Some states charge a deposit on certain plastic beverage containers. When you return the bottles to the recycling centers (which can usually be found at local grocery stores in these states) you will receive your deposit back. This was an effort to insure that people would recycle bottles and cans that has been fairly successful.

If you do not live in one of these states there are some that will pay you for every plastic bottle you recycle. You will need to check your local listing to find a center for recycling plastic for money but they do exist and are a great incentive to those who need a tangible incentive to recycle.

The consumer discards various paper products, sending them to the nearest recycling center. The waste is made into new paper products through a system of steps.

There are different types of paper so some of the details differ in the process. However, the fundamental strategy is the same for each type. The three types of paper include:

• Pre-consumer waste – This form of paper was never used.
• Post-consumer waste – This form was used by an individual. Some refer to this type as scrap paper.
• Mill broke – Is simply scrap left over in the production of paper. This material can easily be reused in a paper mill. It is not recycled at a paper recycling facility.

The paper recycling process begins with water. Pulping is the act of adding water to the material in order to separate its strands. The fibers left behind are called pulp.

The pulp is put on a screen that works like a colander. Larger particles are left behind in the process. After the pulp is screened, it is cleaned through a process called centrifugal cleaning.

A machine spins the pulp rapidly. This makes any other contaminants left behind during the screening process to separate from the mixture.

Many paper products have ink in them. Deinking involves putting air bubbles into the pulp along with a chemical. The chemical separates the ink from the pulp and the bubbles force the ink to the surface.

The machine kneads the pulp. Next, the mixture is washed with water to remove any remaining containments. The pulp may or may not be bleached in the paper recycling process.

The pulp is the prime ingredient in the new paper created. The new product is white if the paper recycling process included a bleaching stage. Otherwise, it has some dull color to it.

The final steps in the process of paper recycling involve cleaning the workspace. The water that was used to remove the ink and other containments can be filtered for reuse. Some of the water can not be used again and has to be discarded.

Paper recycling is a simple process that yields great results. Consumers who take time in making sure that their paper products are free of containments help to make the process run smoother. It only takes a few minutes to recycle paper products. It is well worth the effort.

Organization is a necessity in the realm of recycled products. Every item should be in the proper place for quick processing. When items are out of sort, they slow down the process, making the job more difficult.

You may think that a misplaced item does little harm but a number of items out of place can lead to a big mess. We can do our part by being aware of our actions and by taking a moment to consider the undertaking the recycling center takes.

Consider the following before going to your local recycling center:

• Some cardboard is not acceptable. The prime example is a pizza box. This item is contaminated with grease so it can’t be recycled easily.

• Many centers do not accept cardboard at all. Please check before sending this material to your local center.

• Cardboard may have staples but processors do not accept items that are covered with tape. Remove all tape from the cardboard.

• Some businesses allow customers to recycle their cardboard leftovers at their locations. The businesses follow the same requirements as the recycling center.

• Some forms of paper are not suitable for recycling. They include waxed paper juice containers and papers that have absorbed oil. Carbon paper and paper contaminated with food cannot be recycled.

• Personal hygiene and feminine products are not acceptable.

• Any paper that has a layer of plastic should not be sent to the recycling center. These items typically have marks indicating that they contain plastic coatings.

• Some phone books are easier to recycle than others are. Some have water-soluble glue that makes the process easier.

• Check to see if the recycling center accepts phone books all year long. Some wait until the new books are distributed before they accept the outdated ones.

• Newspaper is ideal for recycling. These publications contain shiny advertisements. These can be recycled as well.

• Brown paper bags are simple to recycle as well and are acceptable as long as they are not contaminated with food or oil.

• Other paper products include magazines and some food packages. Envelops and junk mail can be recycled as well.

• Don’t worry about removing staples from paper products and cardboard.

A recycling center is an establishment that relies on cleanliness and order. Taking a few moments to organize your materials will save the center a lot of time and aggravation.

Anyone interested in learning more about scrap metal recycling is well advised to study the various types of metals. This information can help you make good decisions and it can help you find scraps of metal that can be recycled.

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Classifications

Metals are classified as ferrous when they contain iron. These metals vary due to the other elements in their composition. The ferrous group members share the same properties.

The ferrous scrap metal recycling materials are magnetic. This makes them very easy to spot. A simple test with a magnet will determine whether you have a ferrous metal.

These materials tend to corrode easily. This may be due to the iron in their composition. Steel is a prime example of a ferrous metal. This material is dense, heavy and contains a high level of iron.

Non-ferrous metals contain no iron. Like the first classification, these materials vary according to the elements in their composition. They are pure in composition, meaning that they have no more than one type of atom.

Silver and gold are also pure but they are not commonly sent to scrap metal recycling facilities. These precious metals are typically sent to jewelers if they are no longer in use.

This classification of metals is usually more resistant to corrosion than its ferrous counterparts. Non-ferrous metals are not magnetic. You can easily determine whether a metal is in this classification by placing a magnet on it. If it does not stick to the surface, it is non-ferrous.

Scrap metal recycling is ideal for non-ferrous metals. Many materials that fall into this category are easy to reuse. Their compositions are cooperative and they are easy to work with.

Perhaps the most popular scrap metal recycling material is aluminum this non-ferrous material can be reused repeatedly without losing its quality. Aluminum takes relatively little time to recycle.

Another metal that falls into this classification is copper. Copper is in high demand for scrap metal recycling. This material can be found in plumbing and in some machinery, including air conditioners.

Alloys

When metals are mixed together, they form alloys. These materials are specifically designed to have certain qualities. Two elements are brought together to create a third.

Scrap metal recycling is a very important aspect of environmental clean up. These materials can be reused a number of times. Some can be reused an indefinitely.

Organization is a necessity in the realm of recycled products. Every item should be in the proper place for quick processing. When items are out of sort, they slow down the process, making the job more difficult.

You may think that a misplaced item does little harm but a number of items out of place can lead to a big mess. We can do our part by being aware of our actions and by taking a moment to consider the undertaking the recycling center takes.

Consider the following before going to your local recycling center:

• Some cardboard is not acceptable. The prime example is a pizza box. This item is contaminated with grease so it can’t be recycled easily.

• Many centers do not accept cardboard at all. Please check before sending this material to your local center.

• Cardboard may have staples but processors do not accept items that are covered with tape. Remove all tape from the cardboard.

• Some businesses allow customers to recycle their cardboard leftovers at their locations. The businesses follow the same requirements as the recycling center.

• Some forms of paper are not suitable for recycling. They include waxed paper juice containers and papers that have absorbed oil. Carbon paper and paper contaminated with food cannot be recycled.

• Personal hygiene and feminine products are not acceptable.

• Any paper that has a layer of plastic should not be sent to the recycling center. These items typically have marks indicating that they contain plastic coatings.

• Some phone books are easier to recycle than others are. Some have water-soluble glue that makes the process easier.

• Check to see if the recycling center accepts phone books all year long. Some wait until the new books are distributed before they accept the outdated ones.

• Newspaper is ideal for recycling. These publications contain shiny advertisements. These can be recycled as well.

• Brown paper bags are simple to recycle as well and are acceptable as long as they are not contaminated with food or oil.

• Other paper products include magazines and some food packages. Envelops and junk mail can be recycled as well.

• Don’t worry about removing staples from paper products and cardboard.

A recycling center is an establishment that relies on cleanliness and order. Taking a few moments to organize your materials will save the center a lot of time and aggravation.

As a general rule, ceramic cannot be recycled. At least, it cannot be recycled through your local recycling center. It is possible though to break bits of ceramic and use it to create mosaic tables, tiles, trivets, trays, etc. The fact that ceramic can not be recycled does not necessarily mean that it isn’t an excellent candidate to be reused. Colorful pieces of ceramic are great for mosaic artwork.

Glass recycling is good in more ways than you may realize at first glance. Not only does it reuse materials, which limits the waste in landfills and reduces the number or resources that goes into creating new glass, it also requires 40% less energy to recycle glass than it does to manufacture glass. This means that it is using up even less energy than making new glass products would require saving money and energy in the process.

Before you recycle glass you should check to see if you have paid a deposit on the bottle. Some states have instituted a bottle deposit fee on all glass bottles. It is much more profitable for you to return the bottles to your local bottle return center than it would be to recycle. They will handle the recycling of the bottles as well as the sorting, and you can get your deposit back. This can add up to a significant amount of money to families that go through a fair amount of glass bottles depending on the amount of the deposit.

You can also reuse glass bottles in the making of several interesting craft projects. There are many facets to recycling and reusing glass is just as good for the planet as recycling glass in many cases. Either way, the glass gets a second life and that is what recycling is all about. You can use glass to make all manner of craft projects and find many great ideas by searching online, visiting your local recycling center (or their website), or your local library.

Every time you recycle glass, or any other object for that matter, you are taking a step towards the goal of a healthier planet for generations to come. Are you ready to do your part?

The primary purpose of the recycling bin is organization. The process of reusing materials is complex. Centers that recycle materials would be completely overwhelmed if they did not have an excellent organizational tool.

Organization begins with the individual. Consumers can help by making sure that they use a recycling bin properly. The bins are designed to provide a designated place for different materials.

A good recycling bin offers a design that keeps pests away from the waste material. This benefits the consumer and the recycling plant. The pests will not make a mess and they won’t wind up at the facility.

Those that feature lids are ideal for anyone who stores the containers outside. Lids are also wonderful options for people who store them on porches or breezeways. The lids limit odors and it keeps the unsightly contents of the unit covered.

Some bins are stackable. This feature is highly desirable in homes that have little storage space. Manufacturers often make the stackable recycling containers out of clear plastic. The clear plastic offers some benefits.

Consumers can see what material is in each bin without having to lift the lid or take the stackable containers down. This material is very easy to clean. It resists staining and most materials do not stick to the surface.

Another appealing feature featured in some recycling bins is a door panel that stays open. This makes filling the container simple and dumping items out of the unit is very easy with this feature. The panel is a convenience that many environmentally conscious individuals really appreciate.

Containers may have different colors. The colors serve as a kind of code for the people collecting the materials. Each color represents a different type of material. This organizational tool helps consumers and recycling centers save a lot of time.

Some consumers like the idea of having a recycling bin at their disposal in the kitchen. Some models can be stored under the sink or in a cabinet. The containers look like small trashcans. These units are available in multiple colors for easy organization.

Those who want a contemporary look may want to invest in a stainless steel recycling bin. This item has a sophisticated appearance that suits just about every setting.

Consumers can do their part in creating a cleaner environment by taking some time to recycle. There are many options to consider in recycling bins. These items are suitable for nearly every home.

Why is Battery Recycling Needed?

Many people concerned about the environment have concerns that the toxic chemicals and heavy metals that are used in the making of batteries will leak out and contaminate water and the land surrounding these landfills. This is a bad situation for the environment and one that serious advocates of recycling hope to avoid. You can do your part by making sure that all batteries in your care are properly recycled in order to avoid the potential for contaminating the planet and/or your community.

What Types of Batteries Are Suitable For Battery Recycling?

It is also important to remember that batteries ideally suited for recycling and not by any means limited to the batteries you purchase to power consumer electronics. What types of batteries should you think about when it comes to battery recycling? Watch batteries, alkaline batteries, automobile batteries, motorcycle batteries, marine or boating batteries, golf cart batteries, UPS batteries, gel batteries, lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, and batteries from power tools just to name a few.

Why Recycle Batteries?

Obviously the planet benefits but also your local community benefits when you recycle batteries. No one wants their children digging in contaminated soil or drinking water that has been contaminated with acids, chemicals, lead, and other hazardous materials that are often used to make batteries. At the same time we all realize that batteries make many of the things that make our lives easier work better. We don’t want to give up the luxury of these items and yet we want the clean streets, playgrounds, water, and air.

Do your part today and begin to notice the number of batteries that we go through in the course of a year. Rather than pitching those batteries in the bin next time, recycle them instead. You can then be proud to know that you are doing your part to keep your community safer for your own family as well as the other families that live there and the knowledge that you are doing something that is actually good for the environment. Little efforts, like battery recycling, can make a huge impact in the end – especially if more people do their part.

It takes more energy to burn plastic than it does to recycle it. If you consider throwing plastic in the incinerator, think about sending it to the recycling center instead. The plant may not be able to recycle every container but it is worth the effort.

Making a new glass bottle from scratch produces significantly more air and water pollution than recycling it. This saved energy is enough to run a 100-watt light bulb during a four-hour period. You could either light up your evening or toss a single glass bottle in the trash.

Aluminum is a fascinating metal and it is one of our favorite recycling facts. It was once more precious than gold. This metal is interesting for its historical value but it also has wonderful properties that make it ideal for recycling. Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without limit.

Just over a quarter of our weekly newspapers are recycled. The production of Sunday newspapers require five hundred thousand trees each week. These dismal recycling facts reflect the desperate need for people to take action. Recycling newspapers each week can save so much of the environment.

Some recycling facts are overwhelming. People throw away a lot of paper but we also waste a lot of wood. We could heat fifty million homes over a course of twenty years with the amount of paper and wood that is thrown away each year. Run those numbers through your head one more time. It is staggering.

Another stunning fact about recycling concerns plastic bottles. These items are unnatural enemies of the environment and there are a lot of them. “A lot” is an understatement.

People in United States alone use about 2.5 million plastic bottles. Many readers would assume that the 2.5 million bottles are used each year. Actually, Americans use that many every hour. Unfortunately, the bottles wind up in landfills.

Not all recycling facts are so bleak. According to the US Environmental Protections Agency, our efforts to recycle have been beneficial to the environment. This agency estimates that 64 million tons of material has been recycled or used for compost.

The EPA estimates that the United States recycles just over thirty-two percent of its garbage. This number is low but it is twice as much recycled material as fifteen years ago.

Public awareness and responsibility can help to develop facts about recycling in the future. The process takes time and effort but the earth will reap the benefits for generations to come.

http://www.epa.gov/garbage/recycle.htm US Environmental Protections Agency

Many problems stand in the way of the tire recycling process. These items are large and they have significant volume. Many landfills simply cannot hold a great number of tires. They just take up too much space.

Tires are also very durable. They are made to withstand tons of weight. They are supposed to carry a vehicle and its passengers over thousands of miles. Tires accomplish this in all kinds of weather.

The durability of the tires makes them poor candidates for landfill occupancy. They take an extremely long time to decompose. A tire in a landfill is going to be there for many years to come. An item that takes up so much room is just too overwhelming.

Landfills have liners that cover the disposed material. Tires have a lot of air in their composition. They can collect methane gas. The gas makes the tires rise to the surface.

The durable material can puncture the landfill liner. If the landfill liner is damaged, the nearby ground water supply can become contaminated.

Some people opt to stockpile the tires rather than trying to find tire recycling options. This can pose serious risks as well. Stockpiles of tires can catch fire. These fires can burn for months at a time.

The burning material sends pollutants into the air and into the ground in the surrounding area. Stockpiling sites are quite threatening to the people who live in close proximity to them. They are also very expensive to clean after a fire has occurred.

Burying the tires is not a great idea, either. This approach threatens to pollute the soil surrounding the buried items. The groundwater is at risk for contamination. These containments include dangerous heavy metals.

Tire recycling is a topic of great concern for many environmentalists. However, there is great hope. Tires are made of durable material and they can be reused in a number of ways.

Retreads are reinforcing materials used for trucks and cars. Creative uses for scrap tires are also in development. The waste material can be used in the production of new shoes. Tire recycling is also being considered for basketball courts.

You may have seen an old tire used in creative ways. It could have been used as a swing hanging from a tree. You might have seen one holding planted flowers in a person’s yard. Hopefully, tire recycling will begin to embrace new creative ways to reuse this challenging material.