Recycling

Recycling is a process designed to recover and reuse materials instead of throwing them away. Commonly recycled wastes include aluminum and steel cans, glass containers, and paper. Other recycling programs collect plastic, used motor oil, and automobile tires. Recycling helps conserve raw materials that manufacturers would otherwise need to use. It also keeps materials out of landfills, helping reduce the pollution that may result from the disposal of various waste materials.

Recyclable materials have the most value if they are not mixed in with garbage but sorted before the garbage is sent for disposal. Separating recyclable materials is much more complicated when done at a waste-processing plant. Such special equipment as conveyor belts, screens, and magnets is needed to separate waste mechanically.

There are three basic ways to collect recyclable materials. The materials are collected through buy-back centers, drop-off centers and curbside collection programs.

1. Buy-back centers pay people for materials they bring in. People are asked to separate recyclables by type and to separate glass by color.
2. Drop-off centers are usually open longer hours than buy-back centuries, but do not offer money for materials.
3. In curbside collection programs residents of a community separate their materials and put them in curbs by their homes. Trucks pick up the materials and bring them to the central place. From there, they are sent to manufacturers who convert them back into usable products.

  Offices can recycle such wastes as paper and cardboard. In addition, composting is a process of collecting yard waste and food waste and letting it rot into a substance that can be used for fertilizing.