Recycling is the process of reclaiming materials from a product that has reached the end of its useful life. Typically, this is done through one of three methods: buy-back centres where consumers get paid for their waste paper; drop-off centres where consumers can deposit their materials without being paid; and curbside collection where homes or businesses sort their materials to place in bins and carts for pickup by a central agency.
Recycling helps protect the environment by reducing waste and lowering emissions from landfills and incinerators. It also provides jobs in the manufacturing, materials and transportation sectors. But even with the best intentions, it can be difficult to remember what to recycle and how to do it. This confusion often leads to the recyclables ending up in the trash.
Purchasing recycled products completes the recycling loop, allowing governmental agencies and individual consumers to help make the effort successful. This creates a stable demand for recycled materials, increasing the likelihood that producers will continue to invest in the process. Additionally, a commitment to buying recycled reduces the need to produce new materials from virgin resources, helping reduce energy consumption and the need for new mining operations.
The first step in the recycling process is separating materials so they can be recycled properly. This requires a clear understanding of what can be recycled, what should not be recycled and where to place each material. Using separate containers for paper, plastic and metals can be a big help. It’s also important to set out each type of recyclable in a clear container, ideally an official NYC bin, after 6 pm.
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