About Recycling
Recycling is the process of converting used materials into new, usable goods. It saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves natural resources, and helps protect the environment.
The adage “reduce, reuse, recycle” has long been an important part of environmental management. The more items that are recycled, the less we need to extract and process raw materials from the Earth. This conserves our natural resources, minimizes the need for landfills and incineration, and limits water, soil, and air pollution.
On a small scale, recycling can be as simple as turning an empty cereal box into a magazine holder or using old newspapers to mulch your garden. On a larger scale, municipal recycling programs collect household and commercial waste to process into new products. Commonly recycled items include paper, including newspaper, cardboard boxes, and office paper; bottles and jars made from clear, green, and brown glass; aluminum cans and steel tins; and electronic devices (including cell phones) through special e-waste programs.
A key to successful recycling is having the right materials in the right places at the right time. Depending on what you’re trying to recycle, the materials may need to be separated at different stages in the recycling process. Then, they must be transported to a recycling facility or mill. Often, these facilities have complex machinery to sort and recover the various materials.
It’s important for individuals to practice recycling at home and at work. Many municipalities have websites with their waste & recycling guidelines and/or “what goes where” searchable databases. In addition, they may also have apps.