How to Recycle Different Materials
To recycle properly, it is necessary to know how to handle particular waste materials. Here is how to recycle some of the most common household waste materials.
Organic Waste. About one third of household waste is organic waste such as kitchen and garden waste. It is the least problematic of all types of waste because it is biodegradable and does not cause any harm to the environment although organic waste in landfills is responsible for methane production which increases the greenhouse gas emissions. But this is not the only reason why local authorities encourage the population to dispose organic waste in separate bins or to compost. It can be also used as a source of energy, primarily of heat and electricity.
Paper. Waste paper (clean only) should be disposed in bins that are intended for paper. However, office paper and envelops for instance can be also reused for scrap paper, while newspaper is the easiest way to start a fire if having a wood burning stove. Also, select recycled paper whenever possible and cancel “junk“ mail to reduce paper waste.
Glass. It is an ideal material for both reuse and recycling. Throw it in the recycling bin for glass but make sure to wash it first. Even better is to reuse it because it can be used for storing just about anything over and over again until it gets broken.
Plastic. This popular material is one of the severest pollutants because it is produced in large quantities and takes hundreds of years to decompose. For that reason it should be separated from other types of waste and disposed in recycling bins for plastic. However, even better is to avoid it whenever possible.
Metal. This non-renewable material is particularly sought after due to the fact that it is available in limited amounts. Home recycling bins usually accept metal unless it should be deposited at the local recycling bank or waste collection centre.
Textiles and old clothes. Clothing that is either out of fashion, or too big or too small only makes clutter in the closet. However, it is much better to donate clothing you do not wear any more rather than throwing it away. If it is in a bad shape, it can be used for textile crafts or as cleaning cloth. But when you decide to throw it away anyway, throw it in recycling bin for textiles or dispose it at your local waste collection centre.
Wood. It is one of the best materials for reuse. Old wood can be used for crafts or as firewood. However, do not burn treated wood and furniture. Pieces of furniture can be either sold or donated.
Electrical waste and electronics. Most household appliances consist of a number of different materials including recyclable ones as well as hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. For that reason they should be never thrown in the ordinary bin. Electrical waste and electronics should be either returned to the manufacturer or handed over to the nearby waste collection centre.
Batteries. All batteries including rechargeable ones contain hazardous chemicals or/and heavy metals which is why they should be never thrown in the ordinary bin. They can be disposed in the so-called battery bins which are found in most shops and supermarkets across the country.