Useful Recycling Tips for Absolute Beginners

Recycling plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption, decreasing waste, and lowering environmental pollution. The process of recycling benefits the environment by lowering the need for procuring raw materials and facilitating the use of renewable materials. 

Might not be trendy to talk about anymore, but let's face it: our homes remain cluttered materials that can be recycled, including papers, plastic, glass, and tin. Read on as we share tips on how to recycle the clutter in your home and practice a zero-waste policy. 

1. Placing recycling containers

You can start by placing recycling containers near your trash cans so you can separate different recyclable materials accordingly. Labeling the containers is a simple way to ensure the separated items are recycled accordingly. The containers you choose should be of a decent size to accommodate your requirements. 

Another thing you might want to consider is learning about pre-consumer and post-consumer products. Pre-consumer packaging refers to the waste materials accumulated inside industries, mills, and factories that are recycled within the workspace. Post-consumer products, on the other hand, can make their way back to the manufacturing unit through consumer participation and recycling programs. Start looking at your recycling as a "post-consumer product"—these materials can be easily recycled as opposed to ending up in a landfill.

2. Following rules

Depending on where you live, there might be specific rules on how to recycle materials effectively. You can consult the local guidelines provided by official authorities, or contact the local recycling plant to get specific instructions on how to recycle accordingly. Researching and dedicating time to understanding Recycling 101 can assist you in recognizing which materials you can recycle and which ones you have to dispose of securely. If you are having difficulty memorizing the rules of recycling, consider writing down the instructions somewhere visible so you can review them when needed. 

3. Preventing pollution

The goal of recycling is to prevent air, water and soil pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. Environmental pollution can also be controlled by taking several preventive measures. You can opt to limit your dependency on single-use plastics while promoting the use of reusables. Furthermore, purchasing products with completely recyclable materials also aids in controlling pollution. 

4. Organic recycling (composting)

Every organic material in a household can be turned into fertilizer. The peels of fruits and vegetables can be collected in a container to let microorganisms work on them and break them down into smaller, compostable structures. These microorganisms break down the food material and release minerals or nutrients trapped within the raw materials.   

The compost can be used for backyard gardening or given to plants and trees to ensure maximum growth and development. Furthermore, using compost eliminates the need to use chemical-based fertilizers that create health hazards and cause unwanted chemical build-up in fruits and vegetables. If you live in an apartment, look into composting services or consider investing in a small, counter-top composter. They exist and they're great.

 

 

There are still a plethora of methods you can incorporate into your daily routine when practicing recycling. Understanding the requirements and dedicating time to research will surely assist you in recycling in a better manner while restricting the use of single-use plastics. We hope the information we've shared aids you in your recycling journey.