Recycling is an innate part of humanity. It is an ethic of resource efficiency and a general responsibility for all of us. As stewards of this planet, we are responsible for protecting the environments’ finite resources for us and future generations. The recycling and waste management industry is a growing and successful business. Investments in collection infrastructure pay enormous dividends in downstream recycling activity. In other words, your contributions by recycling in your home or wherever you have the opportunity to, not only reduce waste and greenhouse gases but pave the way for a growing industry that provides steady jobs and a positive economic outlook for your community.

Yes, and in a surprisingly paramount way. When we recycle, we limit the amount of waste sent to landfills and combustion facilities, which reduces carbon emissions and the need to collect the waste. In addition, the conservation of natural resources such as timber, water & minerals benefits the waste management ecosystem, reducing its already overstrained load and the need for new raw materials.

Let’s start with the basics. When recycling, we must remove all food or water from recyclable items such as paper, cardboard, bottles, and cans. When disposing of bottles & cans, keep an eye out for a number contained in a triangle that marks the type of plastic resin that the product is made out of. This helps us determine if the local recycling program accepts the products. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to get the full scoop.