We all know that not all of our trash can, or should be, thrown away in a dumpster. Recycling is a key principle in waste management. Furthermore, recycling reduces the risk of further polluting our environment. You may have made a list of items that you could recycle, but you have most likely overlooked the most important ones. So here is a list of the top ten items to recycle.
Aluminum is completely recyclable. It can even be recycled multiple times while retaining its properties. What’s even better about recycling them is that it prevents more ore mining. When there is less creation and production of new things, such as aluminum, energy costs are reduced by 95%. So, when you finish a can of soda or juice, put it in your recycle bin, not the trash.
Not many people pay attention to recycling paper, especially newspapers. You’d probably think they’re just too disposable. What you probably don’t realize is that every year, approximately 10 million tons of newsprint are found in the trash. We all know that paper production consumes a large number of trees. Almost 80 thousand trees are used for the Sunday Edition of the New York Times. Paper, in general, accounts for the third largest component of the primary waste stream in the United States. Let’s keep them from filling up our landfills by recycling them.
Plastic water bottles are among the most easily discarded containers. These are made of Polyethylene Terephthalate, or PET. Eighty percent of these bottles end up in landfills or bodies of water. According to Recycle Across America, the energy saved by recycling 2,000 pounds of plastic bottles is equivalent to the energy used by a two-person household for an entire year.
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is another type of plastic used as a container. Because of its high density, it is commonly used in shampoo, detergents, bleach, and milk. These plastic containers are labeled for recycling. Numbers 1 and 2 indicate that they can be recycled almost anywhere.
Corrugated cardboard, or OCC, accounts for 13% of America’s waste stream. Because so many people receive deliveries, parcels, and packages, 90% of these cardboards end up in landfills. Recycling a large amount of cardboard can save a significant amount of energy. When you receive a package, flatten and clean the cardboard. It will help reduce waste.
You’re probably unaware of how much energy can be saved by recycling glass containers. Recycling them reduces air pollution by 20%, water pollution by 50%, and a ton of glass made from 50% recycled materials saves a significant amount of mining waste.
Steel is one of the world’s most recycled materials. Just like aluminum, they retain their qualities and attributes even after being recycled several times.
Magazines are primarily papers, even when they are in full color and glossy. Papers are excellent items for recycling. Recycling magazines saves more than half the energy and reduces the need to cut down more trees.
Paper is almost everywhere because it is so widely used. Paper can be found everywhere, including homes, restaurants, and stores. The high demand for all types of paper is one factor that contributes to deforestation. So, be sure to recycle cereal boxes, junk mail, and any other paper you come across.
These items can be reused, but their functionality may deteriorate depending on how long they’ve been used. Parts from computers, smart phones, and other devices can be reused in newer items. Because they are made of a variety of materials, new items will increase production demand for such components.
When it comes to recycling, there is no other reputable waste management company on South Shore capable of providing quality services other than Troupe Waste and Recycling. We are a family-owned business that has been in operation for over a decade. Our service is always designed to assist people in managing their waste and becoming better environmental stewards. Our services include residential and commercial waste services. We also offer roll-off dumpsters in a variety of sizes to best meet your waste removal needs.
Let us help you in recycling and waste management. Call us today at 781-340-0030!