Certain materials, such as glass, paper, plastic, rubber and motor oil, can all be recycled. Recycled items are turned in to a recycling facility and processed into materials that can then be used again. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that recycling helps prevent garbage from ending up in landfills, provides jobs for U.S. workers and saves energy.
Function
A recycling center's purpose is to process and redirect waste material into reusable substances. In many cases, items constructed from recycled materials can be recycled yet again. This reduces the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills across the country.
Although most waste material will eventually biodegrade, this process takes much longer in landfills--if it occurs at all. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control notes that exposure to air is necessary for items to biodegrade. The layout of most landfills prevents air exposure, and waste material does not biodegrade.
Features
If you drop-off your items at a recycling center, you must sort them into separate bins. If a collection service picks up your recyclable items at the curb, workers at the recycling center will separate your items. Processing differs drastically depending on the type of material being processed. Thus, all recycling facilities must carefully sort through the recyclable material to ensure that each item is processed in the proper manner.
Processing
Recycling centers convert household waste items into manufacturing material for other products. For example, the University of Oregon notes that, while plastics may be shredded, chipped or baled, recycling centers melt down aluminum cans and turn paper products, such as newspapers and cardboard, into different types of paper pulp. Although many recycling centers perform these activities on-site, others send certain recyclable materials away for processing.
Significance
Although some cities, such as New York City, require residents to participate in recycling programs, these programs are not solely beneficial for the environment. Municipalities benefit as well. Once recyclable materials are properly processed, the recycling center can then sell those products to manufacturing plants. Manufacturing plants save money since purchasing recycled base products is often more cost-efficient and energy-efficient than assembling items from virgin materials. Recycling centers generate revenues of over $236 billion annually--making them a considerable benefit to the U.S. economy.
Considerations
Recycling provides consumers not only with a way to help reduce environmental waste, but also a way to make a little extra cash. Many municipalities offer "buy back" centers. These centers pay a small amount for each eligible item you recycle. California, for example, offers five to ten cents per aluminum can recycled. Other recycling centers purchase materials based on weight. This provides a way for recycling centers to generate more recyclable material for resale while also providing you with a financial incentive to participate.
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Recycling
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: Landfills FAQ
- University of Oregon: What Happens When You Recycle?
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Results of the REI Study
- SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority: Recycling Buy Back Centers
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