Know Your Local Recycling Guidelines

Communities across the country are making the move to mandatory recycling. It is important to take the time to learn your communities recycling guidelines and whether recycling is mandated or strictly volunteer when you move in to save potentially big troubles later on.

Below are a few general guidelines for properly recycling common materials.

Glass jars and bottles. You should rinse these containers out before recycling and some areas will require that you remove any labels and recycle those separately. This is one instant where you will need to check your local guidelines – particularly if recycling is mandates.

Cardboard. Most communities require that the cardboard you recycle be flattened and cut down to size so that it will fit in approved containers if you want curbside service. If you aren't interested in doing this or have exceptionally large boxes you may want to check and see if there is a local drop off center that will accept larger boxes.

Cans. Many people have discovered the benefit of recycling aluminum cans as scrap metal for a little extra pocket change. You should check your local recycling guidelines. Some city services offer cash for recycled cans if you bring them in. In other areas you will need to drive a while in order to receive money for your recycled cans. When recycling other types of cans you will definitely want to check the community recycling guidelines concerning cleaning the cans and removing labels. This is different from one community to the next so even when you move within a state be sure to check out differences.

Plastic containers. There are all kinds of plastic containers. You will need to know about the mixing and matching of these containers so check your recycling guidelines for that. It is very important the the container be empty before recycling, particularly those that may have held cleaning products or materials that are used for lawn care or automotive purposes. Most products that are in recyclable containers will have the recycling symbol on them as well as instructions for disposal. It is a good idea to always double check within community ordinances or the local recycling company to insure that you are doing the right thing according to recycling guidelines.

Paper. Paper is one material that recycling can make a huge difference in the amount of trash you go through in week's time. Begin recycling paper today and then take note of how little garbage the local waste management service is taking from your home each week. Now imagine if everyone took this step.

Recycling is a great way to contribute to reducing the amount of waste filling up our landfills. Be sure that you know the recycling guidelines in your community though before you begin.

Recycling Facts

The environment is a hot topic right now. Reusing items that would commonly wind up in landfills is a great way to help keep the environment clean. Following are some interesting recycling facts to encourage you to put some effort into this cause.

It takes more energy to burn plastic than it does to recycle it. If you consider throwing plastic in the incinerator, think about sending it to the recycling center instead. The plant may not be able to recycle every container but it is worth the effort.

Making a new glass bottle from scratch produces significantly more air and water pollution than recycling it. This saved energy is enough to run a 100-watt light bulb during a four-hour period. You could either light up your evening or toss a single glass bottle in the trash.

Aluminum is a fascinating metal and it is one of our favorite recycling facts. It was once more precious than gold. This metal is interesting for its historical value but it also has wonderful properties that make it ideal for recycling. Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without limit.

Just over a quarter of our weekly newspapers are recycled. The production of Sunday newspapers require five hundred thousand trees each week. These dismal recycling facts reflect the desperate need for people to take action. Recycling newspapers each week can save so much of the environment.

Some recycling facts are overwhelming. People throw away a lot of paper but we also waste a lot of wood. We could heat fifty million homes over a course of twenty years with the amount of paper and wood that is thrown away each year. Run those numbers through your head one more time. It is staggering.

Another stunning fact about recycling concerns plastic bottles. These items are unnatural enemies of the environment and there are a lot of them. “A lot” is an understatement.

People in United States alone use about 2.5 million plastic bottles. Many readers would assume that the 2.5 million bottles are used each year. Actually, Americans use that many every hour. Unfortunately, the bottles wind up in landfills.

Not all recycling facts are so bleak. According to the US Environmental Protections Agency, our efforts to recycle have been beneficial to the environment. This agency estimates that 64 million tons of material has been recycled or used for compost.

The EPA estimates that the United States recycles just over thirty-two percent of its garbage. This number is low but it is twice as much recycled material as fifteen years ago.

Public awareness and responsibility can help to develop facts about recycling in the future. The process takes time and effort but the earth will reap the benefits for generations to come.