| nities across the country are making the move to | | | | The environment is a hot topic right now. Reusing |
| mandatory recycling. It is important to take the | | | | items that would commonly wind up in landfills is a |
| time to learn your communities recycling guidelines | | | | great way to help keep the environment clean. |
| and whether recycling is mandated or strictly | | | | Following are some interesting recycling facts to |
| volunteer when you move in to save potentially | | | | encourage you to put some effort into this cause. |
| big troubles later on. | | | | It takes more energy to burn plastic than it does |
| Below are a few general guidelines for properly | | | | to recycle it. If you consider throwing plastic in |
| recycling common materials. | | | | the incinerator, think about sending it to the |
| Glass jars and bottles. You should rinse these | | | | recycling center instead. The plant may not be |
| containers out before recycling and some areas | | | | able to recycle every container but it is worth the |
| will require that you remove any labels and | | | | effort. |
| recycle those separately. This is one instant | | | | Making a new glass bottle from scratch produces |
| where you will need to check your local guidelines | | | | significantly more air and water pollution than |
| – particularly if recycling is mandates. | | | | recycling it. This saved energy is enough to run a |
| Cardboard. Most communities require that the | | | | 100-watt light bulb during a four-hour period. You |
| cardboard you recycle be flattened and cut down | | | | could either light up your evening or toss a single |
| to size so that it will fit in approved containers if | | | | glass bottle in the trash. |
| you want curbside service. If you aren't | | | | Aluminum is a fascinating metal and it is one of |
| interested in doing this or have exceptionally large | | | | our favorite recycling facts. It was once more |
| boxes you may want to check and see if there is | | | | precious than gold. This metal is interesting for its |
| a local drop off center that will accept larger | | | | historical value but it also has wonderful properties |
| boxes. | | | | that make it ideal for recycling. Aluminum can be |
| Cans. Many people have discovered the benefit of | | | | recycled repeatedly without limit. |
| recycling aluminum cans as scrap metal for a little | | | | Just over a quarter of our weekly newspapers |
| extra pocket change. You should check your local | | | | are recycled. The production of Sunday |
| recycling guidelines. Some city services offer cash | | | | newspapers require five hundred thousand trees |
| for recycled cans if you bring them in. In other | | | | each week. These dismal recycling facts reflect |
| areas you will need to drive a while in order to | | | | the desperate need for people to take action. |
| receive money for your recycled cans. When | | | | Recycling newspapers each week can save so |
| recycling other types of cans you will definitely | | | | much of the environment. |
| want to check the community recycling guidelines | | | | Some recycling facts are overwhelming. People |
| concerning cleaning the cans and removing labels. | | | | throw away a lot of paper but we also waste a |
| This is different from one community to the next | | | | lot of wood. We could heat fifty million homes |
| so even when you move within a state be sure | | | | over a course of twenty years with the amount |
| to check out differences. | | | | of paper and wood that is thrown away each |
| Plastic containers. There are all kinds of plastic | | | | year. Run those numbers through your head one |
| containers. You will need to know about the | | | | more time. It is staggering. |
| mixing and matching of these containers so check | | | | Another stunning fact about recycling concerns |
| your recycling guidelines for that. It is very | | | | plastic bottles. These items are unnatural enemies |
| important the the container be empty before | | | | of the environment and there are a lot of them. |
| recycling, particularly those that may have held | | | | “A lot” is an understatement. |
| cleaning products or materials that are used for | | | | People in United States alone use about 2.5 million |
| lawn care or automotive purposes. Most products | | | | plastic bottles. Many readers would assume that |
| that are in recyclable containers will have the | | | | the 2.5 million bottles are used each year. Actually, |
| recycling symbol on them as well as instructions | | | | Americans use that many every hour. |
| for disposal. It is a good idea to always double | | | | Unfortunately, the bottles wind up in landfills. |
| check within community ordinances or the local | | | | Not all recycling facts are so bleak. According to |
| recycling company to insure that you are doing | | | | the US Environmental Protections Agency, our |
| the right thing according to recycling guidelines. | | | | efforts to recycle have been beneficial to the |
| Paper. Paper is one material that recycling can | | | | environment. This agency estimates that 64 |
| make a huge difference in the amount of trash | | | | million tons of material has been recycled or used |
| you go through in week's time. Begin recycling | | | | for compost. |
| paper today and then take note of how little | | | | The EPA estimates that the United States |
| garbage the local waste management service is | | | | recycles just over thirty-two percent of its |
| taking from your home each week. Now imagine | | | | garbage. This number is low but it is twice as |
| if everyone took this step. | | | | much recycled material as fifteen years ago. |
| Recycling is a great way to contribute to reducing | | | | Public awareness and responsibility can help to |
| the amount of waste filling up our landfills. Be sure | | | | develop facts about recycling in the future. The |
| that you know the recycling guidelines in your | | | | process takes time and effort but the earth will |
| community though before you begin. | | | | reap the benefits for generations to come. |
| Recycling Facts | | | | |