Types Of Recycling
Posted on: 6 March 2017
Recycling
Recycling is the process of breaking down used materials and reusing them for new products. Recycling your used materials can be done in many ways. Here are a few examples.
Curbside Pick-Up
Curbside recycling is when your city or county sends a recycling pick-up truck to take recyclable trash from your curb at the edge of your yard. You usually place recyclable materials in bins or trashcans that are green or otherwise specially marked with a recycling logo. Recyclable materials can include some plastics, cans, paper, and cardboard. Depending on where you live, the curbside recycling service may only pick up only one or two types of material, such as paper and plastic bottles. If you have separate bins or trashcans, you may need to sort them by type of material. Ask your recycling service for details.
Dumpsters
If there is no curbside recycling service in your neighborhood, you can usually call your city or county, and they will tell you where to find a dumpster that is specifically for recycled materials and not general trash. There will usually be two or three openings in the dumpster which are for organizing the recycled goods. For example, there will probably be a window for paper, one for plastic, and possibly another one for used cans (such as soda cans). There may be multiple bins as well. Make sure you time your visit to the dump right so that you don't come right before pickup when it the dumpsters are already too full.
Electronics
Sometimes electronic devices can be recycled. Electronics contain toxic heavy metals. That's why it's important to follow your city or county's regulations for electronics recycling, and don't just throw stuff in the trash. There will often be a certain facility open a few times a week or sometimes only every few months, and this is where you will drop off your used or broken electronics. Alternatively, you can sell used electronics online, donate them to a school or charity, or participate in business take-backs. The latter refers to when the manufacturing company of the electronic device offers to take back the product when it is old or broken, and they will recycle it themselves.
Compost
Making a compost pile (or "composting") is another form of recycling. This is when you take organic trash (such as wilted greens, eggshells, apple peels, and coffee grinds) and put it int a pile outside along with some tree leaves and soil. The bacteria in the trash will break down the trash over time, eventually turning it into an enriched form of soil that is great for gardening. Twigs and wood chips from around the yard can be added as well. It's best to do this if you have a reasonably sized yard, because there won't be room outside of apartments or most townhomes, and even if there is room, it might be too close to living quarters and produce an unpleasant smell.
For more information on recycling, contact a company like Industrial Services Inc.
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