Posts Tagged ‘recycling advocacy’

What are the benefits of recycling?

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Recycling has a lot of benefits that can help people and save the environment as well. Its importance can be observed in many different ways. Here are some great reasons why recycling is important:

Recycling Saves the Earth

Recycling different products will help the environment. For example, we know that paper comes from trees and many trees are being cut down just to produce paper. By recycling it, we can help lessen the number of trees that are cut down. Products made from raw materials that came from our natural resources should be recycled so that we can help preserve the environment.

Recycling Saves Energy

It takes less energy to process recycled materials than to process virgin materials. For example, it takes a lot less energy to recycle paper than to create new paper from trees. The energy from transporting virgin materials from the source is also saved. Saving energy also has its own benefits like decreasing pollution. This creates less stress on own health and our economy.

Recycling Helps Mitigate Global Warming and Reduce Pollution

By saving energy in industrial production through recycling, the greenhouse gas emissions from factories and industrial plants are lessened and the use of fuels that emit harmful gasses during production is also minimized. Recycling non-biodegradable waste (rather then burning it) will contribute a lot to help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses that depletes the ozone layer.

Recycling Reduces Waste Products in Landfills

are mostly composed of non-biodegradable waste which takes long time to decompose. By recycling, we can lessen the waste materials that are placed into landfills and we are able to make the most out of these materials. If we don’t recycle, more and more garbage will go to landfills until they all get filled up. If that happens, where will the rubbish be placed? How would you like a land fill in you backyard?

Recycling Helps you Save Money

Recycling provides ways to save money. You can sell recyclable materials to organizations that are willing to buy it. Using products that are recycled lessens expenses. Products that are made from recycled materials are less expensive than products made from fresh materials.

At home, you can recycle biodegradable waste like eggshells, vegetable and fruit peelings and use them to fertilize plants. By doing a little research and getting creative you can save money and trips to the market while being kind to the planet.

As the population of the world increases recycling is becoming increasingly more important. Our technologically advanced societies are creating more and products and packaging that look good and are indestructible, but can take centuries to break down.

In order to combat the rise of factors that are produced by non-environmentally conscious groups, it is up to the growing numbers of individuals and companies that want to inhabit a healthier planet to make a difference.

Mulitfamily recycling challenging but rewarding

Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

Multifamily recycling is considered a challenge; however, it is possible for communities to establish and maintain successful recycling programs given the right tools and resources.

A successful recycling program can be defined as one that achieves a high diversion rate, state or local goals, collects multiple types of recyclables, and makes recycling accessible to more people.

The path to success starts with the following tips:

Since residents rely on property managers to educate them, be sure to distribute move-in fliers/pamphlets in addition to quarterly or annual instructional fliers. If there is a recycling ordinance in your jurisdiction, notify residents that it is required to recycle. If not, promote environmental stewardship by asking residents to conserve natural resources and to take responsibility for protecting their community.

All communal recycling bins should be clearly labeled. Signs with photos of recyclable and non-recyclable items are extremely helpful.

High performing recycling bins educate their employees and maintenance staff on the do’s and don’ts of recycling. Their motivation and commitment directly correlates with resident participation.

Communal recycling bins should be placed in busy areas (near the pool, mail room, leasing office, or gym). User friendliness and attractiveness of the containers are also things to consider.

Generally, 90-gallon carts provide enough room to store recyclables and allow for easy collection. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that at least 3 containers per set-out will allow for adequate sorting while decreasing contamination.

Single-stream or commingled collection is an easy way to increase participation because all recyclables can be mixed together. At a minimum, glass, cardboard, plastics #1-7, and aluminum should be collected. The more materials collected means a higher potential recycling rate, but some hauler restrictions may apply.

Doorstep valet recycling programs can also help streamline the process.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Recycling saves energy, reduces greenhouse emissions

Saturday, August 25th, 2012

Recycling has a significant positive effect by reducing the amount of energy needed to make products from new materials. When recyclables go to the landfill, more materials must be mined, harvested or refined to replace the discarded item.

These are energy-intensive processes, and recycling removes these steps entirely, producing energy savings. For example, making an aluminum can made from recycled materials requires only 5 percent as much energy as making a can from virgin materials.

While energy savings aren’t as dramatic for other items, in all cases products made from recycled materials require less energy than those made from new, according to the EPA.

Energy savings also mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change. The EPA reports that in 20011, 25 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions were eliminated through recycling more than 7 million tons of metals, equal to taking almost 5 million cars off the road in a single year.

In the case of landfills, diverting materials to recycling also decreases greenhouse gas emissions. Landfills produce gases consisting of about 50 percent methane and 50 percent carbon dioxide, and are the third largest source of human-produced methane in the US.

Recycling videos: How plastic bags get recycled

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Recycling basics

Friday, August 10th, 2012

Americans throw $600 million worth of aluminum cans in the garbage each year. Recycled, those cans would save 95 percent of their original energy cost. Cans aren’t the only materials made from precious, recyclable resources. In fact, everything from glass to paper and metal to plastic can be processed into new materials.

To get started recycling all you need is a set of bins and a little know-how. And don’t forget to check your local government for exactly what recyclables it accepts.

Paper Recycling

Paper recycling is easy: As long as it’s 100 percent paper, it can be recycled. Newspapers, cardboard, magazines and phone books are all recyclable. So are junk mailings, paper bags, cereal boxes and wrapping paper. Watch out for tape, foil, glitter and plastic coatings, however, as those are not recyclable. You can toss your cardboard milk carton in the recycle bin because there’s a market for recycled cartons. Envelopes with windows and mailing labels are also safe to recycle.

Glass Recycling

Not all types of glass can be recycled. Bottles and jars are made from a different type of glass than windows, drinking glasses and cookware; if they’re mixed together, the resulting product will be flawed. Put only glass bottles and jars in your recycling bin and leave all other types of glass out. Be sure to remove all lids: Metal lids can be recycled with other metal items. Rinse your containers, and keep them separate from the rest of your recycling. Broken glass can mix with other materials and wind up breaking the machines used to process recyclables.

Metal Recycling

Recycle cans, aluminum foil, scrap metal and anything else that is 100 percent metal and small enough to fit in your recycling bin. Rinse your cans, but don’t crush them. If you have loose lids from soup or tuna cans, place them inside the original can and bend the can slightly so the lid won’t fall out. Do the same with other small items, because if small metal pieces are mixed with paper, they can harm processing machinery.

Check all your items and remove any plastic pieces, rubber, wood and paper. If your metal piece is bigger than 30 inches by 8 inches or heavier than 30 lbs., you’ll have to take it to a scrap metal recycling facility instead of leaving it curbside.

Plastic Recycling

Look at the bottom of your plastic containers. They should be stamped with a symbol that looks like three arrows in a triangle, with a number at the center. That number is the recycling code, and you’ll need it to sort plastic. Check with your waste management provider to find out what types of plastic it recycles: Most providers will accept code 1, but few will take code 7. Only the accepted types of plastic go into the recycling bin.

Rinse containers and remove the lids, which are not recyclable. Leave out plastic bags, which you can reuse or recycle at a recycling center; bottles that have contained hazardous materials or motor oil; and Styrofoam products.

Video: What happens to things I recycle?

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

To experience more Click Here

Office recycling with the Otto MSD 68

Friday, June 8th, 2012

office recyclingCreating a recycling system in your office can be easy. Many businesses have created a workable and efficient office recycling system. Once you have determined what to recycle, the logistics of collection systems need to be considered.

If you are in an office or other business situation where you need five or more recycling units and you want a dependable bin that can easily accommodate paper trash, mixed recyclables, or any general refuse then the MSD 68 is a perfect way to go for financially efficient recycling.

Otto’s Multi-System Design line eliminates the need costly yard waste bags, minimizes odors, and reduces moisture. These are all-in-one collection systems, commingled recyclables and paper products or refuse and recyclables and they can easily be accommodated in front, side, or rear load automated applications.

The versatile Multi-System Design (MSD) cart offers terrific recycling flexibility. It is perfect for use in office or business situations where you need several durable, versatile bins. The MSD 68 recycle bin carts are made from unique injection molded plastic that makes them extremely weatherproof. These carts have a heavy base that protects them from tipping even in 40 mph winds.

MSD 68 carts are available in spectrum of colors, such as dark blue, light blue, forest green, green, brown, black, gray, and light gray. They are extremely mobile and can easily be rolled from one place to another with the help of their large 12” diameter wheels.

If you are looking for a solid multi-use recycling bin ready for years of trouble-free service you can’t go wrong with Otto’s MSD 68.

Teaching children to recycle

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

As good environmental stewards we have to make sure that our children are aware that the trash we throw pollutes our environment unless people start recycling some of that garbage. We also have to let them know that with too much trash in our environment, we along with the fishes in the sea and the birds in the air can no longer survive.

Teach your child to observe the surroundings. Let him or her watch the corners in the community, the streets, the alleys, or his or her immediate surroundings. During these situations, point out to him the garbage that pollutes these places. Teach him or her how this garbage eventually pile up and bring about diseases among humans and kills life. During that time, tell him or her that recycling can prevent such horrible consequences from occurring.

When the child is already aware of the dangers of pollution and the need to do some waste recycling, set up a recycling bin center in your own home. There should be different bins for specific waste products. Allow the child to label these bins so he or she gets involved. There should be four bins: for glass objects, for cans, plastic materials, and cardboard or paper. Make your child aware that the trash in these bins can be recycled for future use.

Enroll your kids in classes that teach how to recycle goods. Centers ran by environmentalists often teach craft classes for paper recycling and other forms of waste recycling. Aside from teaching the kids recycling, these centers give kids an outlet to hone their creativity, which is in fact is important during their formative years.

You should lead by example. Perform your part by doing waste recycling in your own house. Kids follow the example of their elders. Throw the proper trash in the appropriate recycling bins for recycling.

You with your kid can also start a community event that focuses on recycling. You can coach your kid to perform some recycling activities with his or her friends. Through these activities, your kid and other kids experience fulfillment in being able to help out clean the environment by recycling.

Why recycling is important

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

The recycling industry has made a vital contribution to job creation and economic development in the United States. For every 10,000 tons of waste that is recycled, 36 new jobs are created.

Recycling helps prevent global climate changes by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing paper, plastics, glass and metal from recycled materials requires less energy than manufacturing these products from original materials because the recycled materials have already been processed.

Recycling keeps materials out of landfills. This is important because materials in landfills can decompose and release methane gas, which is a greenhouse gas that is thirty times more dangerous to the environment than carbon dioxide.

Waste combustion from incinerators can release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Recycling can reduce these emissions by keeping materials out of incinerators.

Trees help combat the global climate changes by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in wood in a process called carbon sequestration. Continued efforts to recycle paper would allow more trees to continue to absorb carbon dioxide. Recycling one ton of office paper saves 24 trees.