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    7 Types of Recycling: Which One Is the Best For You

    Recycling seems simple enough: just put recyclable items into a designated container and wait for someone else to take them away to be recycled. However, there are actually several different ways that people often categorize certain kinds of recycling. Each with its own benefits. One of the most important things that you can do to help the environment is to recycle. Recycling extends the life of materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources. But recycling is not as easy as throwing everything in one bin. There are many different types of recycling. Which type should you choose? That depends on your needs and what you have available.

    Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

    Bottle Recycling

    With bottle recycling, there is a lot to learn about the process. First, you take your plastic bottles that have either water or soda in them then place them into their designated bins at home or work. Once they are collected, it takes between 40-60 days for these plastics to be baled up and sent off for manufacturing. Most places will do this free of charge but always check with your city before placing anything out by the curb. Also, some towns may not recycle certain items like glass even if others down the street do. So please be aware when putting things out on garbage day to avoid any fines from the city.

    Plastic Recycling

    Plastic recycling is also a fundamental process that we all need to pay attention to. You can place your plastic bottles, cups and other plastics into their designated bins for collection by the city or at home for free of charge, just like bottle recycling. This type of recycling takes about 42 days on average before it is sent off and made into new products such as garbage cans, playground equipment and more. These items are usually easy to spot when manufactured because they will have “recycled” stamped right onto them, so you know exactly where every part came from. This is good if you want to support recycled goods but flawed in some cases if people don’t recycle things which can cause problems for the earth. However, only three types of plastics (PETE, HDPE, and PVC) are typically used in products labelled as “recyclable”.

    Newspaper Recycling

    Newspaper recycling is probably one of the most popular types of recyclables, and it’s easy to see why. One good thing about this type of recycling is that you can put your newspapers in any bin. Whether at home or work, they get recycled into other items such as cereal boxes, tissue paper and more. This process takes only a few days once collected, which means we are doing great for keeping our planet clean. Still, a bad part about these plastics is when people recycle them incorrectly, causing them to be unable to be used later on in manufacturing processes, so please make sure you always put them in the correct bins.

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    Aluminum Cans Recycling

    Aluminium cans recycling is a great way to recycle your aluminium waste. It doesn’t take too much time or effort at all. This type of recycling takes only about 28 days on average once collected. These items can be turned into new products like jewellery. This process may require some money upfront if you want someone else to handle everything for you, so make sure that before you jump into this type of recycling. You do some research before deciding what is best for your family.

    Cardboard Recycling

    Cardboard recyclables are very easy to place at home or work, and they don’t take much time on average once collected. However, this process takes about 14 days after it has been collected. Examples are cereal boxes, shoe boxes and other items made out of paper material. 

    Wood Recycling

    Wood recycling is one of the best types of recyclables that you can use. Because not only does it turn into new products like lumber, flooring and even home furniture, but there’s also a lot more uses for this type. This process takes about 24 days on average once collected. Examples are pine boards or pallets. So if you have any extra around your house, be sure to get them recycled before placing them out with everyone else.

    These are some of the more popular and everyday recycling you can do during your daily life. However, there is so much more that can be recycled. Like you can recycle your old car or other heavy metal objects at a scrap metal recycling establishment. The more you can recycle, the less will end up in landfills and harm the environment. 

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