As it turns out, tons of our trash end up in landfills across the U.S annually. In some countries, the inadequacy of waste management strategies leads to devastating consequences. Fortunately, recycling helps minimize such waste, and our efforts can mitigate some ill after-effects. But, how well can we jab at the problem that confronts us?
Truth be told, when it comes to segregating items that need to be recycled from non-recyclable materials, many people are stumped. But it’s not always as tricky as it seems. For starters, you can check out dumposaurus.com/items-you-can-recycle-in-Austin for insights into some recyclable items. Here’s a list of household items you should consider recycling.
1. Books and Papers
Although recycling magazines, printing papers, or junk mail might be easy, books require more work. Before discarding your tattered paperback or old books, find out the most convenient disposal methods in your locality. In some cities, you can drop off these books at designated spots. Generally, recycling plants often transform papers and books into other products such as cardboard, wooden boards, tissue paper- the list goes on.
2. Glass and Aluminum
These materials can severely harm our environment if left to accumulate or when disposed of improperly. Toss glass shards or aluminum materials in your recycling bin, and your garbage collection company will take care of the rest.
Waste management plants play a significant part in conserving energy by incinerating glass and aluminum materials. Plus, some materials can be smelted and refashioned into other products, thereby extending their service life.
3. Packaging Materials
When you buy food, electronics, and other products, you often have to contend with packaging materials. Plus, if you don’t get rid of such items properly, they could compound the menace we face. Fortunately, most retailers and grocery stores collect such wrappers for recycling. Alternatively, find a drop-off location nearby to take the messy packaging materials.
4. Motor Oil
Recycling motor oil prevents it from becoming a harmful pollutant. Most retailers of motor oil accept the commodity for recycling, which reduces the burden of recycling on consumers. The same goes for service stations. If need be, contact your state or local authorities to find out the disposal program they have in place.
5. Cosmetic Products
Cosmetic products usually come in hard plastic containers, some of which can be difficult to recycle. Using a separate recycling bin for such plastic containers can simplify the process and keep them away from landfills. Most recycling programs accept such containers. Be sure to empty and clean out these plastics before trashing them in your garbage bag.
6. Old CDs and DVDs
If you have some old disks collecting dusk in a dark corner somewhere, it will help to consider recycling them. Or even better, give them to someone who might enjoy these relics. Some disposal services collect CDs and DVDs for recycling, which might be worth looking into. Generally, old disks are recycled and used to create light lenses, clocks, and other unique products.
7. Toothbrushes
What happens when the bristles on our toothbrushes wear out? Most of us toss them in the garbage bin, after which they end up in a landfill. We can use old toothbrushes to scrub hard-to-reach areas, among other functions. Alternatively, recycling them helps combat waste.
8. Batteries
Next time you’re tempted to toss batteries in your trash, note that it’s illegal to do so in some states. Instead, browse your local authority’s website to establish the best way to get rid of old batteries. Some locations have drop-off points for single-use or rechargeable batteries, which you can make the most of. You may also take advantage of the mail-in options that some programs offer.
9. Electrical Products
Most electronics- TVs, and old laptops, among others- are recyclable. But that doesn’t mean tossing them along with other items for recycling as they contain harmful heavy metals and chemicals. Electronic waste is usually sent to facilities equipped to handle them. By researching a bit, you can find such a center near you.
10. Mattresses
When you upgrade your mattress, I doubt that the thought of recycling the old one crosses your mind. Interestingly, mattresses contain various recyclable materials. These include cotton covers, foam, and metal springs. Some local councils offer pick-up services for bulky items (in some cases at a small fee) to facilitate recycling efforts.
11. Clothes
Instead of tossing out our old or unwanted clothes and textiles, we need to examine alternatives such as refashioning them into other usable materials or giving them away. After sorting and setting reusable clothes aside, we can send the rest to recycling plants or textile banks. That way, used clothes can find new homes as we play our part in conserving our resources.
As you can see, we don’t have to throw away most of the items we don’t need. Besides, our garbage could be someone else’s prized possession. We can all play our cards right in the fight against environmental degradation by either giving out or recycling these items. I hope this list helps you identify recyclable materials that may have escaped your attention.
