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A closer look at the recycling center:
In many cases, the recycle center is not just a place to drop off things that can be recycled to make new items, but a place to dispose of things that are not biodegradable, so they can be disposed of in a proper way. Some things can also be brought in to be exchanged or donated, this way they can be reused by someone else.
Most recycle facilities or transfer stations have a recycle center where we can bring in
the following household items which can be recycled to make new things:
- aluminum cans
- glass bottles
- steel cans (pet food, veggies, tuna, soup, etc.)
- plastic soda bottles (2 liter and smaller)
- glass jars and bottles
- plastic milk jugs
- newspapers
- magazines
- phone books
- white paper
- cardboard
- brown paper bag
- plastic grocery bags
- rechargeable batteries
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In many places we bring the following hazardous items to be disposed of properly:
- Hazardous Waste (oil, paint, chemicals)
- Batteries
- Styrofoam
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Some items have hazardous chemicals inside which need to be disassembled before they are disposed of properly such as:
- Media (TV, Computers, Radios)
- Appliances (Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, etc.)
- Batteries
- Mercury Thermometers
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Some places have "Swap Shops" at the transfer stations where we not only bring in things that need to be disposed of, we can bring in the following items to be exchanged. In other words, Bring some in, take some out or both! It's a good way to REUSE things that are still usable.
- Books
- Paint
- Magazines
- Clothing for Rags
- Media (TV, Computers, Radios)
- Furniture
- Appliances (Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, etc.
- Toys
- Household items
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We can also donate items to charities and homeless shelters at the bins provided at the shelter. This helps people in need.
Some items, such as yard waste, are also collected by the city at the curbside and brought in big trucks to the recycle center. Once it is turned into compost or wood chips, we can take some home for our garden!
What is your recycle center like in your town?
A closer look at the recycling process at the center or at home:
Many other things can be recycled
Beside our daily household items like plastics, glass, paper, we can recycle most items successfully by reusing them or their parts. Things like cars, building materials, toys, paints, clothing and so on.
Not Just man made materials, but organic
We can recycle organic materials like yard wastes and leftover fruits and vegetables by making a compost and using compost to fertilize our garden.
What they do with all these recycled materials
Many great things are made from recycled materials. For instance, glass makes new glass, plastics makes new plastic and so the cycle goes....that's why it is called recycle!
Some everyday items you can buy recycled:
Buy recycled items made from recycled newspaper, glass or plastic:
Some examples:
- PAPER TOWELS
- NAPKINS
- GREETING CARDS
- DETERGENT BOTTLES
- TOILET PAPER
- FACIAL TISSUES
- PACKAGING
- EGG CARTONS
- TRASH BAGS
- PENCILS
- PAPER
 You can identify these items at the store
because they have this recycle symbol
on the package:
More ways to help conserve:
- Shop carrying cloth bags instead of paper or plastic
- Buy products with less packaging
- Buy large economy size items
- Avoid using disposable items
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn
- Store leftovers in reusable containers instead of wrap or bags
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