The Top 3 Materials Companies Should Be Recycling
Recycling efforts by many have come leaps and bounds in the recent years but we still have some time to go to reverse the damage caused by decades of improper waste disposal. Most people are doing their part in taking time to sort and recycle their everyday goods and more and more people are purchasing eco-friendly products that are easier to recycle.
You might be surprised- many companies are not recycling as much as they should causing millions of tons of recyclable materials going to landfills across the country.
Let’s learn about the top 3 materials companies throw away but should be recycling.
Glass
Glass is one of the best materials to recycle, as it can be recycled infinitely, meaning no matter how many times it goes through the recycling process it will retain its quality. Therefore, whenever you have glass, it should always be recycled since it was an unlimited lifespan and can be used to create new glass.
Unfortunately, many companies out there are not practicing recycling glass as well as they should be, with the United States being one of the worst offenders. Companies in the United States are only recycling around 1/3 of glass waste, which is a fraction compared to what European companies are doing with about 90% of their glass is being recycled.
Plastic
You hear about plastic waste all over the headlines, everybody knows and understands just how much of a problem it is for both companies and consumers yet just about 9% of all plastic discarded since 1950 has been recycled in the USA alone. That is a problem. Given much of this plastic waste comes from the difficulties of recycling the various types of plastics, such as plastic packaging which accounts for roughly 40% of all plastic products produced.
Typically, there are higher costs associated with the plastic recycling process, with the transportation, processing, and recycling making it less cost-efficient than other materials.
Food Waste
You would be surprised how many tons of food waste head off to the landfill sites in the United States, with companies accounting for a very large portion of this waste. Everything from unsold produce to half eaten food, companies across the country are throwing out food waste that can actually be recycled.
If companies were to recycle more food waste it would actually benefit them in the long run. If there was just a 20% reduction in food waste properly being thrown away, companies could save close to $2 billion per year!
In recent years, there has been a changed mindset around recycling food waste, with companies noticing just how much of a difference they can by changing their recycling practices.
The best way to recycle food waste is to compost it. Compost is a great resource than can help improve growth for vegetables, fruits, flowers, and even house plants. Creating a compost rather than throwing food in the trash has a big impact on the environment as we all know.
Other Materials that Should Always Be Recycled
- Newspapers
- Mixed Paper- old documents, junk mail, etc.
- Glossy Magazines and Ads
- Cardboard
- Paperboard
- Plastic Drink Bottles
- Plastic Drink Bottles
- Aluminum Cans
- Steel Cans
- Glass Containers
Benefits of Recycling
- Reduces waste in landfills and incinerators
- Conserves natural resources- timber, water, minerals
- Prevents pollution
- Saves Energy
- Creates jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States
Speed Tech Equipment is a provider of recycling equipment based in Hudsonville, Michigan. We offer and service every piece of equipment necessary from Balers to Compactors, to Overhead Doors & Loading Dock Equipment and so much more!
Contact Us today for more information or Give us a call- 616-669-2142