Recycling: The Whys and the Hows

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that in 2017, 35.2% of waste generated was recovered through recycling. Within individual categories, paper and cardboard were recycled at about a rate of 66%, and yard waste/grass clippings were composted or recovered at a rate of 69%. Materials like plastic and glass came in at only 8% and 27%, respectively.

Contrast these statistics with the estimated time it takes each of these materials to biodegrade:

• Glass takes a whopping 1 million years to decompose!
• Plastic can take upwards of 500 years to decompose, with some types taking less time.
• Cardboard can take as little as a few months to biodegrade if soaked, shredded, and used as mulch in your garden. (Bonus: It can help prevent the growth of weeds and is an inexpensive alternative to purchasing mulch or plastic to lay down in your garden.) If cardboard is packed tightly, as in a landfill, it often takes much longer — even years — to decompose.
• Grass clippings can decompose in a matter of weeks and make a great compost material.

Recycling is important for diverting materials from landfills, but the benefits go far beyond that! The EPA report states that every ton of mixed paper can save the amount of energy equivalent to 166 gallons of gasoline. In addition to energy, recycling also conserves natural resources, including water, timber, and minerals. Recycling allows materials to be reused and repurposed in the manufacturing industry, which creates a domestic source of materials in addition to stateside jobs.

If You Wish to Recycle: Evaluate the products and materials you and your family consume. Research the recycling practices in your area and commit to consuming fewer materials and to recycling and repurposing the ones you do consume. Invite a friend or neighbor to recycle, and share what you have learned with them! Continue reading the resources below for more ideas, as well as information about specific recycling practices and facts.

Additional resources:

• More recycling basics from the EPA, including information and suggestions on how you can “close the recycling loop” (by purchasing products made from recycled materials). 
• This infographic shares helpful details about what can generally be recycled. Of note is the section on the left: “Also recyclable but not in roadside bin” (namely, plastic bags/wrap/film, electronics, and textiles). Plastic bags can jam the conveyor belts in recycling facilities and cause other problems. 
• An important consideration in recycling is to make sure you’re rinsing items and preparing them for recycling! Food residue and non-recyclable items mixed in with recyclables can contaminate a whole load. Always check with your local recycling programs about what is permitted and what is not. Read more here on some recycling best practices.
• Many retailers offer plastic bag recycling — look for a designated bin near the entryway of your local grocery store, or inquire at their customer service counter. You can also use these sites (here and here) to look up your zip code for specific locations, though not all may be listed. Make sure bags are clean and dry, and that any debris has been removed. See some more tips here.
• Many retailers offer services for electronics recycling. Best Buy, Staples, and Target all offer some kind of electronics recycling. See their respective websites for more information. The EPA also has a section on its website about why it is important to recycle or reuse electronics. There are even some services where you can mail in an old laptop or computer to its manufacturer for recycling, and they may send you a cash rebate depending on its condition or age. In addition, there are many programs where you can donate old or unused cell phones or smartphones and other electronics. See here, here, and here for some ideas.
• Recycle worn-out textiles through a participating textile recycling program! Textiles made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen can take decades to decompose in a landfill, all the while emitting greenhouse gases. Synthetic textiles, like nylon and polyester, were not designed to decompose. Some clothing retailers, like Patagonia and Nike, offer clothing recycling for your worn-out products. Learn more about how to recycle textiles here, here, and here. 
• Rather than collecting your grass clippings to send to the landfill or yard waste collection, leave them where they are in your yard! Grass clippings decompose very quickly and contribute nutrients and water back to the soil. Another alternative to leaving grass clippings in your lawn is to compost for later use in your garden. 
• Plan a family home evening lesson with your kids or a Primary class activity to learn more about recycling — these ideas would also be great for school teachers! The internet abounds with suggestions of how to “upcycle” recyclable material for various crafts, but how well does this actually teach the principles of recycling and environmental stewardship? In the spirit of a “good, better, best” approach, here are some ideas that go beyond the recycling crafts to activities that teach lasting lessons about our impacts on the earth where we live!
  • Introduce little hands to sorting recyclables with an activity.
  • Make plantable paper. This activity isn’t limited to children — the original poster writes that this is a recent wedding favor trend! Use old seed packets and construction paper or newspaper and follow the instructions in the post. This would be a great Mother’s Day craft for a Primary class, or a great favor for a child’s birthday party!
  • Make a miniature terrarium. This repurposes glass or other materials — and also teaches children how to care for plants. You could just as easily do this for a kitchen windowsill herb garden!
  • Learn about water pollution with a hands-on activity.
  • Try an activity that helps to illustrate what happens to different materials when they go to a landfill.
  • Participate in “America Recycles Day“!

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Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash