Recycling

Recycling of our used materials and waste products is becoming a normal part of our daily lives. Recycling reduces landfill waste and saves our natural resources. Wherever we go these days we seem to hear the term Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Do you know how much waste you Recycling Logomake each year? You and every other American contribute approximately 1.1 ton of waste every year, usually a mixture of household garbage and industrial waste which is created by the things we use or buy every day.

One of the major problems is finding new sites for refuse tips for our waste, it is becoming more difficult and expensive to find suitable sites and is becoming a major issue for the Government and the community. We can cut waste by up to 50% if we can minimise it by reducing and avoiding waste, reusing and Recycling. This percentage can even be higher if we compost. One other benefit of reducing waste is that it also reduces litter, a major problem in itself. We must remember that everything we drop can eventually find its way onto roads, beaches, into waterways, bushland and parks through the stormwater system.

The Three R’s

Reduce
Avoid Waste by looking for different ways of production and use of goods that can help stop waste being generated.
Reduce Waste by choosing products that have minimal packaging and that can be used productively and recycled in your area.

Re-use
Re-use packaging, containers and waste products where possible.

Recycle
Recycle our waste materials into useable products or materials to produce new products.

There are some wastes that can’t be avoided, re-used or recycled.
This type of waste must be treated to make it less hazardous or the volume of the hazardous component must be reduced. It then needs to be disposed of safely.

Reduce
If you want to help our environment, the most effective way is to reduce your waste before it becomes rubbish.

* Buy in bulk where possible and try not to buy more than you can use.
* Choose products that have less packaging.
* Choose only those products that have recyclable or reusable packaging.
* Buy goods that are of a high quality and that will last.
* Carry reusable shopping bags or boxes.
* Re-use all types of containers and plastic bags if possible over and over again.
* Say no to unnecessary packaging and plastic bags.
* We must encourage manufacturers to play their part, it starts with them.
* Become more informed about the environmental impact of the products you buy and use. Search for better alternatives if you are not entirely satisfied.

Buy Recycled goods where possible
When you buy goods that are recycled , they have already saved raw materials and resources and have helped reduce the overall quantity of waste. Keep in mind that recyclable means the product is capable of being recycled and recycled means that the product is made partially or wholly from recycled materials. recycle bins

Re-use

* Use plastic bags, aluminum foil, jars and glass bottles and take away food containers over and over again, then recycle or dispose of them.
* When you shop look for products in refillable or recyclable packaging and products that are reusable.
* Pack your lunch in a reusable container rather than in disposable wrappings.
* In the stationery department use both sides of the paper and re-use your envelopes.
* Make enquiries as to whether goods can be repaired rather than replacing them.
* If you have unwanted furniture, whitegoods or clothing, donate them to charities.
* Holding a garage sale is a another good way of re-using products, remember one mans trash is another mans treasure.
* Buy and use rechargable batteries instead of single use batteries, but remember to ask your local authority about disposing of the used ones properly.
* If you own a car, use retreaded tyres if they are appropriate to your driving conditions.

Recycle
Recycling recovers the materials that are used in the home or in industry for further uses. You should try to reduce and re-use before you recycle.
Why should we recycle?
Among the many benefits, Recycling has environmental, social and economic advantages.paper recycling

* Recycling plays a large part towards saving our natural resources.
* A product that is made of recycled ingredients quite often uses much less energy than is used in producing the same product from raw materials.
* Recycling conserves the raw materials that are used in industry.
* Recycling helps prevent environmental pollution.
* Recycled goods are used in a productive manner and prevented from becoming garbage and unsightly litter.
* Recycling greatly reduces the amount of waste material that is dumped in landfill sites and helps our problem of waste disposal.
* Recycling also generates environmental awareness and a sense of civic pride.

How do I recycle?
Recycling is much easier than you think, once you know how. The first step is to find out what recycling facilities are in your area by calling your local authority. Your area may have a kerbside collection service, or a community drop off system. With the kerbside collection service you place your recyclable materials out on the footpath for collection, usually on a set day, much the same as your normal garbage collection. You may be provided with a recycling container by your local authority and they will tell you what can and cannot be placed out for collection. The usual items that can be collected include PET plastic softdrink bottles, plastic milk and detergent bottles, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars. Milk and fruit juice cartons, paper, light cardboard, newspapers and junk mail are also some of the items that can possibly be put out for the kerbside collection. If you wish to take your recyclables to a community drop off center, it takes a little more effort on your part. The recyclables need to be stored at home until you are ready to take them to the drop off center. To help in the prevention of litter you must remember to take your bags and boxes home with you after you papar &have dropped off your recyclables. Try not to mix any non recyclables with the recyclables.

What can be recycled?
It is possible to recycle most items, but there has to be a market for the finished products. A good rule of thumb is to only buy products that will foster the recycled market.