Recycling

Recycling

Effective and efficient recycling requires the large-scale participation of the general public in order to be successful. Recycling is organized to conserve on the consumption of energy, resources, and space used in landfills. It is the process of turning one product into a new product. Collecting used cans and bottles, and placing them at the curbside for collection, is the first in a series of steps that generates a host of social, financial, and environmental returns. Recycling was implemented to prevent waste and reduce air and water pollution. Recycling has been a common practice with recorded advocates as early as 400 BC. Curbside collecting began in 1874 and the first Earth Day was celebrated in April 1970. The first recycling law was passed in 1986 that required businesses and residents to separate glass, aluminum, and plastic from their non-recycled trash. Since this time recycling awareness programs and centers have been created in schools and neighborhoods.

Recycling is the key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” waste hierarchy. The recycling symbol is a loop created by a student in a design contest sponsored by the Container Corporation of America. “[This] basic recycling logo is referred to as the three chasing arrows representing a Mobius loop. Each arrow represents a step in the recycling process: collection, manufacturing, and purchase of recycled materials hence closing the loop” (Stephenson, 2003, p. 22). There are several types of materials for recycling. The most common types are paper, glass, cans, plastic, and cartons. Paper products are recycled back into paper by re-pulping and mashing the material. Pre-consumer is the paper that is discarded before it is used or distributed by consumers. Post-consumer is the paper placed in recycling bins after it has been used by consumers. Glass products include wine, milk, and soda bottles. Drinking glasses, dishes, pottery...