Recycling is an essential part of reducing our environmental impact and preserving natural resources. But what materials can be recycled? In this article, we'll explore the five most common materials used today that can be recycled. Paper and cardboard were some of the earliest materials to be recycled, with copier manufacturers in the 1970s already worrying about their future. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics are also widely used for making milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles.
Colored plastics may have a lower price in the recycling market. Paint is another material that can be recycled, although it's important to check local donation centers (schools, places of faith, charities, non-profit organizations) to see if they accept donations of paint. You should also contact your local recycling or hazardous waste center to learn about ways you can recycle paint in your area. Some products made from the same type of plastic cannot be recycled together due to different production processes.
It's important to know what can and cannot be recycled in your area. Check with your local recycling center for recycling options for burnt out bulbs, or take them to a retail store in your area that offers bulb recycling. It's also important to find out what can't be recycled through your curbside recycling program. Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling flow if mixed with non-compostable plastics.
Recycled magazines are important in the recycling process since their high clay content is used to remove inks from paper before converting it into new paper products. With a constant demand for aluminum cans, manufacturers can have an aluminum can back on store shelves as a new can in just 60 days after it was recycled. It's also important to know what types of materials cannot be recycled. Bags made of type 4 plastic, such as bags for agricultural products and groceries, should not be placed in recycling bins either, as they can become entangled in equipment at recycling facilities.
