What to Bring to a Recycling Facility

 

In general, about 60% of what we throw into the garbage could be recycled. Instead of filling up landfills with reusable items and wasting further resources, learn what items can be spared from the trashcan and can be brought to your nearest recycling facility instead. Although specific items vary by region, here is a list of things to take to your local recycling facility:

-          Electronics

-          Most Plastics

-          Most Metals

-          Batteries

-          Beverage containers

-          Paper

Most plastic items contain a number between 3 and 7 on the bottom of the product. Numbers one and two can be recycled almost everywhere, while you may want to ask your facility if they accept numbers 3 through 7. Electronics and batteries contain complex and environmentally hazardous materials that should never be thrown in the trash. Always bring those to a waste professional. Some recycling centers will even take motor oil, hazardous waste material, yard waste, debris and wood.

With all the options available and the many facilities open to accept your used goods, reducing your household trash just became a lot easier. Work with other like-minded individuals to make a positive impact on the environment and take your reusable waste to a recycling facility near you. Click here to learn more about aluminum recycling in La Mesa.

Recycling for a Cleaner World

 

Most of your household items are not biodegradable, and will sit for centuries in landfills if you throw them away. Take your used domestic goods to a recycling center, where they will be repurposed into something new.

5 Ways a Recycling Center is Important to You and the Environment

Recycling is an important practice to help us retain our natural resources and keep us happy and healthy. The effects of recycling can be felt near and far, benefitting you immediately and helping out the planet as a whole. Recycling is important to the planet for the following reasons:

-          it helps minimize pollution

-          it preserves natural resources

-          it reduces the energy in production

Pollution is minimized by repurposing materials rather than incinerating large quantities of garbage. Burning garbage is bad for the planet, and also has an immediate negative effect on the surrounding populations. Recycling also preserves natural resources by greatly reducing the number of trees that need to be cut down to create paper products. It also takes up to 70% more energy to make a new product from scratch rather than creating a commodity from recyclable materials.

Recycling can also create green jobs. From collection to sorting to transporting, increasing recycling efforts worldwide can create millions of jobs. Some local facilities even offer cash for bottles and cans, and a variety of metals. Recycling is beneficial to people on a local and international level, and helps keep our precious natural resources alive. Click here to learn more about the nearest recycling center in National City.

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What Parts You Can Recycle From an Appliance

 

Recycling non-working appliances is a great way to get some extra cash, but it’s important to understand exactly what parts of your refrigerator or stove are worth money.

The Guts (Wires and Insides)

Materials like brass, copper, steel and aluminum are found in most appliances and can get you some bang for your buck. When dismantling appliances that contain electrical wires, disconnect the wires and strip them. You may find copper in the electrical parts of the appliance. You can do the same thing with refrigerator racks which are made of aluminum. Look for objects that can be melted down or reused. Sturdy fixtures like knobs may also be of some value if comprised of metals.

The Cooling System (Motors and Fans)

Since metals are most valuable, take a close look at the materials from which your appliance’s motors and fans are fashioned. Many refrigerators will have a copper motor, so it may be worth the work to locate and remove it before bringing it to a recycling center.

All-in-all, the best way to get money for your appliance is to start from the inside out. Dismantle doors and hinges to unveil most of the appliance’s value which is in precious metals and aluminum. Visit this website for appliance recycling in San Jose.

A Brief Story About Old Electronics

 

Once upon a time, computer monitors were so large they consumed half of the top of your desk. If you’ve finally finished with that old monitor, consider ending its story by recycling it.

Teaching Your Kids About Recycling

It’s no surprise that our recycling habits impact future generations. That’s why it’s especially important for us to teach our kids how and why to recycle from a very young age. By setting an example for them now, they’ll be more likely to take care of the environment as they grow older. 

There a few basic things that every child can practice before becoming adults.

Pick Up Cans and Bottles During A Walk

Take advantage of your child’s inquisitive nature by going on a walk or hike together. You’re bound to come across strewn aluminum cans and glass bottles. When you do, you can make it a learning lesson.

• Put them in a trash bag (with gloves on)
• Make it a competition
• Recycle items at a local center
• Let your child keep the money

Make a trip to the recycling center

Let your child see the entire recycling process. Showing them where recycled goods are supposed to go will help them understand when one is out of place.

Show Them What Happens When You Don’t Recycle

Perhaps the most powerful way to teach your kids about recycling is to show them what happens to our environment when we neglect it. Educate them through videos and books that explain the dangers our discarded items pose to wildlife and nature. Visit this website to find additional information about the recycling buyback center in Sunnyvale.