Thousands of products made from recycled materials are available for consumers. These products keep materials out of the landfill and put them to good use by giving them a second life as a new item. Common recycled materials are paper and paperboard products and plastic items. Glass, aluminum, steel and tires are also recycled into new products. Purchasing items made from recycled materials is an essential part of the recycling process.
Recycling Terms
Buying products from recycled materials means understanding what the product labels mean. Recycled content products contain material that would have been thrown away. These products may be made entirely from recycled materials or may only contain a portion of their ingredients as recycled materials.
The labels that indicate postconsumer content mean a product contains material that has already been used and recycled, such as paper. Recyclable products may be made from new or used materials; the label means that these items can be recycled after they are used into new products.
Products From Recycled Paper and Paperboard
Paper in all its forms is recyclable. The paper products you use on a daily basis often contain recycled components. The Newspaper Association of America notes that 73 percent of newspapers are recycled into paper and paper products, such as egg cartons, grocery bags and insulation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 85 million tons of paper is recycled each year in the United States.
Recycled paper products include cartons, cereal boxes, paper plates, corrugated boxes, toilet paper, paper towels and paper towel tubes and even kitty litter and drywall board.
Products From Recycled Metal
Recycled metals can be melted down and used to create new products. Steel from food cans, cars and appliances is used to manufacture new cars, appliances, bicycles and even home products, such as decorative light switch covers and yard decorations. About half of the aluminum in aluminum cans is recycled material.
Products From Recycled Plastic
Products made from recycled plastics run the gamut from clothing to building materials, furniture and housewares, office supplies, plastic containers, signage and more. Fleece jackets can be made from yard spun from the plastic of recycled milk cartons. Plastics can be melted down and formed into outdoor furniture, such as picnic tables and trash bins. Recycled plastic products also include plastic bins and containers including office supply products and storage totes.
Products From Recycled Tires
Products made from recycled tires take advantage of rubber's inherent flexibility. Recycled tires can become soles for shoes and sandals, comfortable and decorative floor mats, and mixed with plastic for garbage cans and other flexible containers. The rubber from tires can be shredded and formed into crumbs, which are then mixed with asphalt for sports surfaces, such as running tracks.
Products From Recycled Glass
Products made with recycled glass include countertops, flooring and decorative tiles. Recycled glass can even be made into decorative mulch for the garden. It will not rot and is chemically neutral, so it will not affect the pH of the soil. Recycled glass is made into new glassware and dinnerware. Consumers can buy recycled glass pieces that can be used in art and crafts projects. Since glass does not wear out, it can be recycled indefinitely.
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