Together, paper and plastic make up 40 percent of the garbage discarded by the average American (see References 1). Thankfully, both paper and plastic are easily recycled; both materials can be made into new products instead of sitting in a landfill.
Do recyclables need to be separated?
A big risk is that the recycling stream may become contaminated with inappropriate items. This can cause items to be rejected by the recycler and end up in the landfill, despite our best efforts. Processing costs go up as it requires more effort to separate the materials.
What waste can you put into a mixed waste recycle bin?
The dry mixed recyclable bins (generally green or blue) can take a range of materials including paper, cardboard, steel cans, aluminium cans, plastic bottles and selected other plastics.
Can paper go in mixed recycling?
“Mixed recycling” means that the items you normally sort into the blue and green-lidded recycling bins (paper/cardboard and glass/metal/plastic) can be disposed of together. The recyclable materials collected will remain the same but will not need to be separated.17 Oct 2017
How do they separate recycling material?
The recycling bins are emptied out at 'Material Recovery Facilities' where advanced optical technology is used to view and sort the waste. A big drum tumbles the waste to separate all fine materials, such as soil and dust, and organics, such as food waste, which would contaminate recycled materials.13 Apr 2017
What is the best way to separate waste?
- Keep separate containers for dry and wet waste in the kitchen.
- Keep two bags for dry waste collection- paper and plastic , for the rest of the household waste.
- Keep plastic from the kitchen clean and dry and drop into the dry waste bin.
- Send wet waste out of the home daily.
What are the rule of recycling?
- Empty and rinse out drink and food containers.
- Leave your labels on.
- Know how to handle the lids.
- Remember the sticky note rule.
- Keep plastic bags out of the bin.
- Take the tape completely off.
- Take out the plastic pump.
- Recycle (almost) all paper items.
What are the three rules of recycling?
- Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.
- Keep food and liquid out of recycling.
- No loose plastic or bagged recyclables.
What are the 10 golden rules of recycling?
- Golden Rule #1: Sort Your Materials By Stream.
- Golden Rule #2: Know What's Accepted in Each Stream.
- Golden Rule #3: Don't Wishcycle.
- Golden Rule #4: Keep Batteries Out.
- Golden Rule #5: Rinse and Dry Your Recyclables.
- Golden Rule #6: Break Down Your Cardboard.