How to prepare materials for recycling
Introduction
Recycling technologies are constantly getting better, but it is still extremely important to prepare the recyclable waste correctly before you submit it. Here we will present a list of rules that you should follow to make the recycling process more productive and efficient.
Contamination
Contaminating waste may sound ridiculous, but if recyclable waste is contaminated that can make the whole recycling process impossible and the waste will end up in the landfills. To avoid contamination always use the correct waste bins! For example do not put anything but paper and cardboards into the paper and cardboard bin! It is also important to have the materials themselves clean from contamination. For example, a recyclable plastic box with food remnants in it can spoil the recycling process.
Paper and Cardboards
- Flatten paper and cardboard boxes. This way they will occupy less space, more people will be able to submit their plastic into the waste bin, and it will be easier for the municipal services to collect them.
- Glossy paper and pizza cardboards are often not recyclable. Always check with your municipality what can be recycled.
- Always shred documents before submitting them! It is not a requirement for recycling, but it is a requirement for private information security!
Plastic
- Flatten the plastic bottles and containers. This way they will occupy less space, more people will be able to submit their paper and cardboards into the waste bin, and it will be easier for the municipal services to collect them.
- Rinse the bottles and containers before submitting them.
- If you can remove any signs and packaging attached to the bottles and containers, that is great.
- If you can submit the plastic caps separately, do it.
- Be aware of types of plastic. Check with your municipality what can be recycled.
Glass
- Avoid submitting broken glass due to safety hazards.
- Rinse the bottles and containers before submitting them.
- If you can remove any signs and packaging attached to the bottles and containers, that is great.
Hazardous Waste
- Some waste can be hazardous and should not be submitted in general-purpose waste bins. For example, plastic and glass syringes are considered medical waste and, if handled incorrectly, can lead to a health hazard. Whenever possible, submit hazardous waste to specialized services.
