How Can You Recycle?

Recycle or reusing items which can not be recycled is often known as “reusing.” An individual who reuses an item means she will likely utilize it again. For instance, a person may reuse newspaper bags instead of purchasing new ones. She may also reuse aluminum cans instead of throwing them away and using the aluminum cans again.

Paper Packaging: People also recycle paper packaging. This includes packing peanuts and other packaging with peanut butter and jam, jelly jars, paper plates, and glass jars. Most paper packaging can be reused several times. Recyclable paper packaging can contain food waste paper and other recyclable materials which can be recycled.

Plastic Bottles: One way many people are recycling their plastics is by placing the empty bottles into the recycle bin. However, there is a problem. Often, recycling bins do not fit individual bottles. So, they are placed on the side of the road, dumped, or left in public places where people can see them. It is also difficult to recycle old, broken or unused plastic bottles.

Boxes and Containers: Many companies, schools, churches, and other institutions place cardboard boxes or other packaging materials into recycle bins. Sometimes, they are given special labels identifying them as being for recyclable materials only. When these containers are emptied, the contents must first be sorted to make sure they are all recyclable. If not, they can be recycled.

Bottles and Containers: Many manufacturers package plastic products and sell them in retail stores. These products are then sold in large retail packages with a special recycling symbol on the label. The retail store will generally recycle the plastics into something else, like the can liners that are removed from water bottles. However, some plastics may break down and go through a process called polymaking, which means they must be broken down further. At this point, the plastics are either sent to be melted down or put in new plastic containers.

The Recycling Rate Card: One way to help recycle household plastics is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)’recyclability rate card. The card shows manufacturers and retailers the amount of plastics that are recyclable, how much is sent to recycling or landfill, and what kind of plastics goes to the landfills. The recyclability rate card can be found at recycling dot org. Another is the Plastic Manufacturers Association’s (PMA) website where a current ranking system is displayed. The ranking is determined by a mathematical algorithm. Other websites contain rankings based on each type of plastic.

E-Waste: This is another important issue in recycling that has to do with paper packaging. Most paper packaging is non-recyclable and sent to landfill. Some paper packaging is recyclable, such as cardboard, and there are even services available to collect it from companies and ship it to charities. You can find out more about e-waste by visiting Stop the Green Death online.

Boxes and Containers: These can be considered recyclable packaging as well but are usually made of cardboard, paper, or molded plastic. A great deal of cardboard is not recyclable at all so you can buy some cardboard from a company that specializes in selling cardboard. These boxes are easily recyclable and may be purchased from a cardboard store. For other recyclable packaging, like for example, bubble wrap, most companies sell them in bulk. So, you can find a box company that sells several different types of recycled paper packaging. If you shop around you can also find some really good buys on these products and they will last you a long time.

Recycled Paper: Some paper recycling programs actually reuse the paper they receive so you don’t have to throw it away. Check out your paper recycling program to see if it is one of these programs. Some cities offer a program where if a certain number of tons of paper is collected in a year, it is accepted into the city’s paper recycling one ton program.

Printed Plastic Boxes: These are very popular as they are easy to recycle and they are also recyclable. There is currently a nationwide initiative to recycle plastics that are used in the manufacture of plastic containers, cups, and plates. One of the reasons why these plastics can be recycled is because it uses a process called hot compression where the plastics are mixed with oil before being poured into recycled boxes. The oil that is used has the effect of making the plastics soft enough to be easily recycled. This is one of the ways that many paper recycling programs are able to work with recycled paper.

Most Paper, Plastic Bags and Pulps are quite easy to recycle. If you decide not to recycle paper or plastic bags, it is important that you do something to help keep the environment clean. By purchasing items that are made from recycled materials, you are helping to keep our landfills free from all of the harmful chemicals that are contained in these plastics. In addition, if you would like to further help the environment, you could always recycle these paper products yourself. If you are someone who doesn’t want to buy paper or plastic anymore, there are many brands of paper and plastic that are biodegradable and won’t harm the environment in any way.