Trash Talk

As all-recycling-facts.com points out, three main steps in the recycling process need to occur in order to create a successful systematic loop: collection; processing and converting the raw material into recycled products; and purchasing recycled goods. All three steps must happen to make the process complete. The main idea is for citizens to purchase recycled products and recycle the products when no longer in use. This preserves raw materials and reduces landfill build-up. all-recycling-facts.com defines the steps in greater detail as follows:

Step 1: Collection

Some popular collection methods include curbside service, drop-off centers, buy-back centers, and deposit / refund programs. However, collection methods will vary from one community to another. After collection, the recyclables go to a materials-recovery facility and are sorted and prepared into marketable commodities and sold to processing companies.

Step 2: Processing

The recyclables get cleaned and sorted. Then, they’re processed for raw material retrieval. The raw materials then become part of recycled-content products. Recyclables must be broken down into basic elements before becoming part of new materials. However, the processing methods vary for different materials. Some recyclables are melted and remolded into new commodities. Other recyclables must be crushed or shredded in order to be transformed into new products.

Step 3: Purchasing Recycled Products

More recycled products are hitting the market, stimulating the Green Revolution. Both individual consumers and those working for small and large organizations play a crucial role in growing recycling systems throughout the country. Greater demand will lead to greater production within the recycling industry.

When restaurants have an efficient compost system to get rid of food wastes, they lower the amount of trash in the city significantly. Restaurants face many challenges when switching to a compost system, so they have to find ways to fit more bins, staff hours, and expenses into daily routines. Residents and schools would also have to commit to the composting program.

If the city and businesses would replace public trash containers with color coded recyclable containers, more people would get involved in the recycling habit and even start doing it in their private homes. Recycling is not a difficult task. The extra step it takes to throw an item away takes half a second when the recycle bins are already in place and organized. If the item thrown away is plastic, toss it in the plastics container. If the item is paper, place it in the paper container. It’s just that easy.

Living overseas and experiencing how simple and practical recycling can be makes me wonder what we’re missing here in America. Recycling is no longer just important and beneficial. It’s necessary. It’s also common sense to not want to leave behind non-degradable waste on the planet we inhabit now and for future generations to come. If you can’t go to your capital and demand new recycling policies, you have to start somewhere. Why not start with your community, where you can make an impact?