To transform into some topics about
reducing waste, we will focus on recycling. Recycling is one way that the
amount of trash that flows into a landfill or an incinerator is can be reduced.
Recycling is the act of converting waste to a new and usable material. Some
form of recycling has been taking place for hundreds of years throughout the
world. Since the 1700s, people have been keeping their so called “trash” and
using them for other things. World War I brought about many shortages in supplies
and resources. The government created the Waste Reclamation Service which
included the saying, “Don’t Waste Waste, Save it”. When the aluminum can was finally released in
1964, modern recycling really became popular because people realized the
monetary value of aluminum. Later, the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” slogan that we
all know was developed and became a symbol for environmental health and
justice. The first modern recycling mill was built in Pennsylvania where
plastic waste was sent to be broken down and transformed into other things.
Nowadays,
a multitude of items can be recycled including paper, glass, metal, textiles,
and electronics. In 2014, over 89 million tons of waste was recycled in the
United States. Modern recycling is a complex system that has many steps
involved. First, the recycling that is picked up from your curb by a truck and
transported to the plant. Then, the recycling is laid on a conveyer belt and
sorted with the help of humans and machines. The specific waste is then
shredded to smaller pieces, and sorted more carefully. Finally, the specific
types of material are baled together and shipped to a different processing
plant that is able to melt plastics and metals to transform them into other substances.
The recovered paper is mixed with water and a series of chemicals to create a
pulp like material. It is then cleaned with more chemicals and soap. The pulp
is then rolled out with a series of rollers to remove excess water. Once the
paper is dry, it can be cut, packaged, and shipped off to companies that buy
the material.
Let’s
talk about what can and cannot be recycled. The following facts and figures are
from the City of Minneapolis Public Works Website.
RECYCLE
·
Cartons
o
Juice Boxes
o
Soup or broth cartons
·
Metals
o
Soup cans
o
Aluminum cans
o
Pie tins
·
Paper
o
Newspaper
o
Office paper
o
Books (no hardcovers)
·
Cardboard
o
Cereal boxes
o
Packaging boxes
·
Glass
o
Colored or clear beverage containers
o
Food bottles
·
Plastic
o
Water, soda, juice bottles
o
Detergent bottles
o
Milk jugs
o
Yogurt and pudding cups
DO NOT RECYCLE
·
Egg cartons
·
Paint cans
·
Paper ice cream tubs
·
Drinking glasses
·
Plastic bags
·
Styrofoam
Be sure to check your own city’s policy for what can and
cannot be recycled.
Recycling
is becoming more and more important these days because the need for land is
growing rapidly. Landfills are taking up more and more space, and the less
volume that is added to these areas, the lower demand for new landfills. Additionally,
recycling paper stops the need to cut down as many trees to make new paper and
recycling plastic makes a lower need for harvesting crude oil. As a whole,
recycling is a practice that all companies and individuals can partake in that
really helps make a difference without taking too much work.
Stay Sustainable,
Shelby
Sources:
http://www.buschsystems.com/recycling-bin-news/2014/05/a-brief-timeline-of-the-history-of-recycling/
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