Things that Can be Recycled
With the spring season just around the corner, it’s normal for anyone to start decluttering their home! And, while at it, make sure to do this cleanup as eco friendly as possible. That’s why today we’ll show you which are the top junk things that can be recycled.
What Makes Certain Things Recyclable ?
Have you wondered why items such as styrofoam cups, takeout trays, and certain electronics can’t go through the recycling process?
Well, this is usually due to its material. That’s why you must know what makes something recyclable.
When it comes to recyclable items, three main things make them what they are, and those are:
- Consisting of a homogeneous material
- Having a way to collect and recycle this material
- There’s a buyer for the recycled material.
To make things more simple, people tend to use the 4S method. This method classifies something as recyclable if it’s Sortable, consists of a steady Supply, it’s Safe, and it’s Sellable.
Sortability
As you may already know, all recycling centers count on high machinery that can salvage many materials coming from items.
There are some things, such as cardboard boxes and paper, that are easy to recycle since their material is sortable. However, there are others in which recycling is much more difficult.
For this reason, items should count on a homogeneous basis. That way, this high machinery has a much better time in recovering valuable materials.
Steady Supply
Moreover, recyclable objects often count on a steady supply. That’s why things, such as plastic bags and plastic bottles, are recyclable. They are both day-to-day common items.
If an object isn’t that common, then it’s very likely that it’ll be more difficult to recycle.
Safe
While many people believe that items such as batteries and lightbulbs can’t be recyclable, it’s actually quite the contrary. Since these items are hazardous material, they have a higher priority when recycling since they pose a significant threat to the environment.
Hazardous material often needs to go after special care for this process.
Sellable
Lastly, for items to be recyclable, there must be a demand for them. Since recycling is an extensive process, it’s vital to use these materials again. For this reason, low-quality materials often don’t meet the requirements to be recyclable.
What Can Be Recycled?
So, what can be recycled? Luckily, most of your day-to-day objects are recyclable. Some of these things include items such as paper, cardboard, glass bottles, and metals. Items like electronic waste, construction debris, and ceramics need to go through a professional junk removal service.
Additionally, you need to know what recyclable curbside means.
Generally speaking, curbside recycling is the type of recycling most homeowners know. After all, it’s the process involving with recycle bins. This type of recycling program is one that involves the first items we mentioned beforehand, such as paper and cardboard.
We then have not curbside recyclable, which includes recycling with junk removal companies. This is where you can recycle items such as kitchen appliances and construction waste.
Top Things that Can Be Recycled with a Junk Removal Company
Here are some things that can be recycled you usually find in your home:
- Computer monitors and TVs
- Mattresses
- Large freezers and refrigerators
- Construction debris such as concrete blocks
- Steel coming from cars and appliances.
Computer Monitors and TVs
As you know, it’s illegal to throw old computer monitors into your recycle bin. Then, how to get rid of computer monitors the right way?
You have two options:
- Calling a junk removal company
- Find a drop-off location for computer monitors
Calling a junk removal company is a good option if you don’t have time or don’t want to leave home. These days, leaving your house has become more difficult.
You either go out following all COVID-19 preventive measures, or you stay home. So, looking for a junk removal company is ideal for those who don’t want to leave their homes’ comfort and safety.
Check the items the junk removers take and book your e-waste pick up.
The second option is to take your computer monitor to a drop-off location. You can find a drop-off location using the Recycling Locator of Earth911.
Also, there is a partnership between Dell and Goodwill. And they take old computers. So, you can freely recycle your old monitor at almost 2,000 Goodwill locations. Find the closest location near you.
In a similar way, if you have an old and bulky TV using your room space, click to learn how you can easily and responsibly get rid of it.
Mattresses
According to The Environmental Blog, around 20 million mattresses are thrown into landfills every year. Besides that, every mattress uses up to 40 cubic feet of space; they also present a host of ecological and environmental problems.
So, what’s the best way to get rid of mattresses safely and responsibly?
Earth911.org is like the database that keeps a directory of all recycling facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
To know how and where you can recycle your old mattress, search “mattresses” and your location. Then, you’ll get options of the nearest facilities that take mattresses.
Are you still doubting whether you should replace and donate your old bed? Here’s a list of the common signs you need a new bed.
Large Freezers and Refrigerators
The Responsible Appliance Disposal Program is the green way to get rid of your old refrigerator.
RAD is a voluntary partnership program that works with utilities, retailers, manufacturers, state and local government agencies to dispose of old refrigerated appliances using the best environmental practices available.
You are probably wondering:
This sounds promising. Sounds too good to be true!
Here’s what you need to do:
Click the following link to find a RAD partner program in your state. Most of the time, you won’t have to drive to a drop-off location. Instead, a RAD partner program will pick up your old fridge from your house.
If this doesn’t sound like a good idea to you, here we enlisted four ways to dispose of your refrigerator responsibly.
Construction Debris Such as Concrete Blocks
Asphalt, concrete, and rubble become the aggregate of new asphalt and concrete products.
Wood becomes the raw material of engineered-wood. And most important of all are metals. Recycling steel, bronze, copper, and brass is beneficial. Recycling metals mean less damage to the environment since there will be fewer quarries and mines. As a result, reserves of metal ores will last longer. Also, manufacturers will need less energy to produce metal.
Take a look at the directory of the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association. Here you can find a recycler of construction debris.
If you still don’t find a way to dispose of concrete responsibly, click to learn 6 other recycling options.
Steel Coming from Cars and Appliances
When all the other parts of the old car are sorted out and sold, the car frame remains.
This vehicle frame is made of different metals.
How is this recycled?
The metal frame is crushed into a flat metal chunk. This metal chunk can be roughly the size of a small microwave oven.
Then, this flat chunk is shredded into hand-sized pieces of scrap steel and aluminum. Later, this scrap metal is sold to manufacturers to create steel products.
In 2018, EPA estimated the recycling rate for steel to be 70.9 percent in the United States.
Do you have a junk car just sitting in your yard, using your valuable space? You can quickly sell it to make a couple of hundred dollars.
Make sure to get a quote from every buyer we’ll list, and sell your junk car to the best bidder.
Recycle for a Better Planet!
Well, we hope you recycle to help protect our planet.
For that, we made sure to share with you some useful links. These resources will teach you about the things that can be recycled. Also, they’ll show you the steps to recycle anything from cardboard boxes, paper, plastic bags, and plastic bottles to computer monitors, old TVs, mattresses, broken appliances, construction debris, and junk cars.
And remember, it’s always a pleasure for us to dispose of junk properly, reducing the planet’s footprint.
We believe this info will help you, and we all must continue to recycle for a better planet.