Recycling

Description

The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. Recycling depends on a materials ability to first, be separated from other materials and secondly, to reacquire properties that make it into a useful product. In our society of high water, recycling is a key component for waste reduction. The types of recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, tires, textiles, batteries, and electronics. In addition, composting is the reuse of biodegradable waste from foods and plants.

Some common recycling types are listed below:

Item; Plastic Designation Number	Yes for recycle bin	No for recycle bin	Comments	Recycled products produced
Paper/Cardboard	Newspaper, magazine, mail (even with plastic windows), food containers, boxes	Gift wrap with shiny surfaces; food particles (spatula clean food containers to recycle)		More paper and cardboard
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET); #1	Food and beverage containers	Remove plastic labels (not recyclable) and caps (recyclable but different material)		New bottles, clothing like polar fleece, carpets and sleeping bags
High density polyethylene (HDPE); #2	Bottles for milk, laundry detergent, household cleaners; dairy tubs and cartons			Pipes, floor tiles, plastic sheeting; crates
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC); #3	None	Some cooking oil and shampoo bottles, cling film; shower curtains; structural boards and boxes, vinyl fabrics	Some can be shredded/melted and reformed (downcycled); As waste, they can release toxic materials; PVC is on many DO NOT USE lists	Plastic wood, insulation; cables
Low density polyethylene (LDPE); #4	None	Grocery bags, bread bags, squeeze containers (toothpaste); cellophane wrap used in packaging	In-store recycle locations; can be shredded/melted and reformed	Envelopes, floor tiles, trash can liners; plastic wood
Polypropylene (PP); #5	Medicine containers, bottle caps; ketchup bottles; some food bags like for cereal			brooms, brushes, plastic trays, ice scrapers
Polystyrene (PS); #6	None (banned for use in some cities)	Bubble wrap, Styrofoam, packing peanuts; hot beverage cups	Can be shredded/melted and reformed (downcycled); non-biodegradable but falls apart with age and spreads throughout ecosystems	Plastic wood, insulation, crown molding
Other; #7; includes Acrylic, Nylon, Polycarbonate,
Glass	Food and beverage containers	Metal caps		More glass containers
Aluminum	Cans, foil	Do not crush cans		More aluminum containers

Synonyms and Related Terms

recycling; recyclables;

Resources and Citations

• Wikipedia: Recycling
• Wikipedia: Recycling by product
• NPR: Plastic recycling
• EPA: Common recyclables
• Earth 911:Recycling guideline