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Two Things You Should Always Recycle to Help the Planet
November 15 is America Recycles Day which we love around here. Whether you’re a hardcore recycler or still trying to figure it out, there are two everyday items you can easily recycle that can make a big difference in reducing the use of our natural resources.Byline: BTB Editor
November 4, 2019 / Time to read: 5 minWhether you’re a hardcore recycler or still trying to figure it out, there are two everyday items you can easily recycle that can make a big difference in reducing the use of our natural resources.
1. Aluminum cans. Did you know that aluminum can be recycled an infinite number of times? In fact, nearly 75% of all aluminium produced on Earth is still being used¹. Each year about 5 million tons of aluminum are recycled in the U.S. and Canada, and recycling aluminum takes 95% less energy than making new cans from raw materials². Fun fact: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours!
2. Plastic water bottles. While the type of plastic known as PET doesn’t have the infinite life span of aluminum, it is commonly remade into polyester fiber for many useful items like clothing and carpet. It’s estimated that Americans buy approximately 50 billion plastic bottles of water every year, yet only one out of every four bottles is recycled³. We can do better.
There are a range of items that can be recycled for continued use. The good news with recycling is that participation rates around the country are at an all-time high. The bad news? Recycling contamination rates are also at all-time highs. About 30% of the items placed in curbside recycling belong in the trash because they’re contaminated with food or other residue or just aren’t a recyclable material.
It’s easy to become a better recycler by following three simple tips:
- Know What to Throw – Remember the three primary categories of recyclables: paper and cardboard, metal and aluminum cans, and plastic bottles and jugs.
- Empty. Clean. Dry.™ – Don’t allow more than one teaspoon of liquid to remain in a recyclable container. When recyclables are compressed in the truck, leftover food or liquid can ruin perfectly good recyclables.
- Don’t Bag It – Never bag or bundle your recyclables. Items should be placed in the container individually.
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