Recycling
is a series of activities that includes collecting recyclable materials
that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables
into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing raw materials into
new products.
Step
1. Collection and Processing
Collecting recyclables varies from community to community, but there
are four primary methods: curbside, drop-off centers, buy-back centers,
and deposit/refund programs. Regardless of the method used to collect
the recyclables, the next leg of the journey is usually the same. Recyclables
are sent to a materials recovery facility to be sorted and prepared
into marketable commodities for manufacturing. Recyclables are bought
and sold just like any other commodity, and prices for the materials
change and fluctuate with the market.
Step
2. Manufacturing
Once cleaned and separated, the recyclables are ready to undergo the
second part of the recycling loop. More and more of today's products
are being manufactured with total or partial recycled content. Common
household items that contain recycled materials include newspapers and
paper towels; aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers; steel
cans; and plastic laundry detergent bottles. Recycled materials also
are used in innovative applications such as recovered glass in roadway
asphalt (glassphalt) or recovered plastic in carpeting, park benches,
and pedestrian bridges.
Step
3. Purchasing Recycled Products
Purchasing recycled products completes the recycling loop. By "buying
recycled," governments, as well as businesses and individual consumers,
each play an important role in making the recycling process a success.
As consumers demand more environmentally sound products, manufacturers
will continue to meet that demand by producing high-quality recycled
products.
The
3- R’s of Recycling
We can have a major impact on the amount of garbage produced in our state
by becoming aware of how much we throw out and changing some of our habits
about buying and using every day products. Environmentally aware consumers
are producing less waste by practicing the “3 R’s:”
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They are buying products that are less toxic
or contain less packaging, using reusable containers and other reusable
items, maintaining and repairing products, participating in recycling
programs, and buying products made from recycled materials.
Reduce
Waste prevention, or "source reduction," means consuming and
throwing away less by purchasing durable, long-lasting goods; seeking
products and packaging that are as free of toxics as possible; products
that have a longer life, or can be used again.
Reuse
Reusing items -- by repairing them, donating them to charity and community
groups, or selling them -- also reduces waste. Reusing products, when
possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need
to be reprocessed before it can be used again.
Recycle
Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable
resources. In addition, it generates a host of environmental, financial,
and social benefits. Materials like glass, metal, plastics, and paper
are collected, separated and sent to facilities that can process them
into new materials or products.
