Garbage swirls around the world's oceans and landfills.Many potentially-recyclable products end up in landfills because they are designed for disposal after a single use.There is only so much you can do as an individual, and this is scary.You can make yourself aware of the products that come through your sphere of awareness.It's a good idea to learn to recycle.You should reduce the amount of waste you create.
Step 1: Know what cannot be recycled.
Paper, plastic, metal, and glass can be recycled.Do not assume.There are exceptions and rules for each material category.You can learn which items are accepted at your local recycling center by reading the policies.
Step 2: The paper should be recycled.
Unless there is a metal or plastic component in the paper products, they are not recyclable.Newspaper, magazines, cardboard, envelopes, egg cartons, anything made completely from paper, can be put in your paper bin.Paper products are shredded and recycled.You can create separate bins for your newspapers, magazines, envelopes, printer paper, and glossy paper.There are hidden plastic and metal components.A paper milk carton might be sealed with an interior metal lining to preserve the contents.Before giving paper products to a recycling program, you need to remove non-paper components.You can make recycled paper at home.You can use the process to reduce the amount of paper waste in your home.
Step 3: There are different types of plastic that can be recycled.
If it doesn't hold its shape, it goes to the landfill.Plastic peanut butter tub or plastic restaurant takeout box can be recycled.You wouldn't be able to recycle a plastic bag or a soda can.There are seven categories of plastic waste.One of the most common plastic used in consumer products is called PET.It can be found in water bottles and soda bottles.It is almost always recycled.The stiff plastic found in milk jugs, toys, soap bottles, and some plastic bags is called HDPE.The process of recycled plastic is easy and safe.Polyvinyl Chloride is not recyclable.Soft and flexible, this category of plastic is used to make everything from clear plastic food wrapping to garden hoses to plastic pipes for children's toys.There are a number of toxins in the material.Shrink-wrap, squeezable bottles, grocery bags, and garment bags are made from LDPE.It is less toxic than other plastics.More and more communities are taking steps to handle LDPE, which is not often recycled.PP is rarely recycled in the U.S., but it is used in products like plastic liners, disposable diapers, yogurt containers, straws, and packing tape.If they recycle PP, ask your program.Polystyrene goes into egg cartons, styrofoam cups, plastic cutlery, and laminate flooring.Polystyrene is one of the most common types of plastic in the world.Most programs are not equipped to recycle PS.There are different types of plastic, which are usually not recyclable.There are disposable coffee Pods, baby bottles, and car parts in products containing #7 plastic.One exception is PLA plastic, made from bio-based polymers, which is compostable but still falls into category 7.
Step 4: You can learn how to recycle.
The average center only recycles steel and aluminum.Steel and aluminum cans can be recycled into beverage containers, food storage, and aerosols.You should wash and sort your aluminum food packaging.
Step 5: Glass can be recycled.
You should recycle your glass jars and bottles.Brown, green, and clear are the colors of recycled glass.You should sort your glass before you bring it to the recycling program.If the glass breaks into shards, it is melted down and reshaped into new bottles.If you can keep the bottles whole, many U.S. states will give you a small refund for each empty bottle you return.Bottles should not be stored in the same bin as used lightbulbs, mirrors, sheet glass, and pyrex.These products are made from a different type of glass than bottles.
Step 6: Before sorting, clean the recyclables.
Some recycling centers won't accept items that make up more than 10% of food waste.Before you try to recycle plastic containers, glass bottles, and aluminum food packaging, rinse them out.It won't take long, and you will make the job much easier for everyone else.
Step 7: There are recycling programs in your area.
Curbside pickup for recycling is available in some regions.Ask your neighbors, visit the website for your city or county, or run a web search for "recycling in your region."What can and cannot be recycled through these programs.Do you know if your local recycling center won't recycle anything?Some centers can't handle certain types of plastic.There are different recycling programs.Do you need to sort your recycling?Some centers require you to separate out different materials before dropping them off, while other centers will sort through mixed waste to pick out the recyclable items.Drop-off sites require you to sort your recycling, while curbside pickup programs vary.
Step 8: Curbside pickup is a good option.
Make sure that you have a city- or county-issued recycling bin if your community has some sort of municipal recycling pickup.Place your non-recyclable waste into the "garbage" or "landfill" bin.Find out when the trash pickup day is.You should put the recycling bin out when you put your trash out.Curbside compost pickup is offered in some regions.Composting and recycling are different.Try to get in touch with someone from the city's recycling program if your recycling isn't picked up on trash day.If you want to find a contact number for the recycling center, you can call the city manager.You can find out why your bins weren't picked up by asking what you need to do to get them to the recycling center.
Step 9: Sort your waste at home.
If you plan to take your recyclable items to a commercial or municipal drop-off point, you will probably need to separate the different materials from one another.There should be separate bins for metal, plastic, paper, and glass.The workers at the recycling center will not have to do any additional sorting when you drop off your recycling bins.Plastic bags are not recyclable, so you can place the items in bags.Before you leave, you need to take the waste out of the bags.Everyone in your household should know which items can and cannot be recycled.You can post a handout or sign near the recycling bin.
Step 10: Repurpose before throwing it away.
Even after it has fulfilled its purpose, something might still be useful.Many consumer products are designed to be thrown away after a single use, but with a bit of care, you can break the cycle.Look for ways to recycle items into home decor, such as turning old boots into planter pots, sewing clothing into blankets, and using old wine bottles as candle holders.Think about what you can do with a used item.Use old clothes as cleaning rags, wash out old condiment jars, and rinse out slightly-used Ziploc bags if you want to use them again.
Step 11: Compost food waste.
You can recycle organic matter at home by placing it in a compost pit or compost bin.As the food waste decays, it will eventually turn into soil.Composted soil can be spread onto your garden or donated to a local farmer.
Step 12: Donate money.
Don't throw something away.There is a chance that someone else will reuse an item if you don't know how to do it.Take old clothes, media, and household items to a local Goodwill or community thrift store.To find homes for unused items that you want to sell or give away, try using community websites.If you can use it, ask your friends, family, and neighbors.There is a drop-off point at most Goodwill centers.There may be other thrift stores in your area that offer the same service.