What Is The Right Way Of Recycling Waste? Curbside Waste
• With so many people embracing an eco-friendly environment at home, work and life, recycling is now widely practised but it comes with some complications. • Either a bottle or a can, you have probably recycled something today. Recycling is helpful as you are giving items a second chance to be useful but did you know you might be doing it wrong? • Curbside Waste Inc, a waste management company, provides tips to the correct ways of getting your items recycled. • Next time you are recycling, let's make sure we all do it right. • Here are some recycling tips from Curbside Waste MN to follow and make a difference to ensure your recycling process is efficient. • Although each state and city has its own specific guidelines, these tips will ensure the right items make it to the recycle bin.
Make Recycle Bins Available 1. Get Containers For Recycling • Making sure recycle bins for items are readily available will make recycling a convenient one. • Either in your home or office, make sure there are different bins for where trash and recycling items go.
Make Recycle Bins Available 2. Label The Containers or Bins • Label your bin correctly to make it easy for everyone to put the right items in the right bins. • For paper, plastic, cardboard and any other items, place a standardized label on each bin. • If there are any guidelines or instructions to follow, adhere to it.
Recycle Correctly 1. Plastic Bags • Never put plastic bags in the recyclable bins and don’t put recyclable items inside plastic bags. • If the need arises for plastic bags, empty those items into the recycle bin or cart directly. • Plastic bags have an adverse effect on the recycling plants making the whole recycling process more difficult. • Reuse plastic bags or avoid usage altogether. • If you must use them look out for recycling programs in your municipalities that are focused exclusively on them.
2. Disposable Utensils • •
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If your recycling centers accept plastic, that doesn’t mean any type of plastic is acceptable. Generally, all plastic should be made of resin, which is fine for recycling, however, majority are made of polystyrene. Like styrofoam which is in its expanded form. Styrofoam gets contaminated easily and can be a problem for recycling. Plus, it has a lesser market for recycling than other plastics. Other disposables such as plastic utensils like plates, forks and also foil should not be put in the recycling dumpster. It is very hard to determine the type of plastic or other materials they are made of, therefore, they are best left out. Except otherwise stated by your recycling centers, a good rule of thumb is to never put styrofoam, plastic utensils and foil in the recycling bin.
3. Pizza Box • No, pizza box cardboard cannot be recycled except if it is clean. • As much as the pizza boxes are already indicated that they are recyclable, the problem still lies with the grease and oil. • The oil, accumulated cheese and grease render it recycling-useless. • The option you have is to either include it in your food waste compost or throw it in the trash bin and let it find its way to the landfill.
4. Empty Bottles Before Recycling • Empty signs of food or liquid out of jars, bottles and containers before recycling. • Pour out any liquid or wipe out any food before putting those items into the recycling bins. There is no need to wash them just ensure there is nothing left inside.
5. Juice Boxes/Juice Pouches • •
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Most juice/ milk boxes are still not recyclable. Why? Most of theses pouches or boxes are made of multi-layered packaging. This makes it difficult to separate the layers of metal and plastic molded together. Some contain aluminum foil which is quite difficult to remove and they end up being thrown in the landfill. “Confirm if the recycling waste programs include juice pouches as some have hydro-pulper that can get the separation done with ease. If not, throw juice boxes in the trash bin.” suggests Curbside Waste Inc.
6. Glass • Some of the recycling communities have started rejecting glass jars and bottles. • Before putting glass jars or bottles into the recycle bin, verify if your city is accepting glass. • Never put window glass, light bulbs or mirrors in the recycling bins except otherwise stated by your recycling center. • This is because these glasses have some degree of chemical which makes them unsuitable for recycling.
7. Batteries, TV Remotes • Don’t just throw your old TV remotes or used batteries away, take them to recycling centers that are specifically for these items. • Curbside Waste Inc suggests recycling safely and always call your service provider with questions.
Thank You!!!