Recycling can simply be defined as gathering and processing waste materials that would otherwise be thrown away. The collected waste is then turned into new products. Recycling is beneficial to the environment, and it also helps the community in the long run.
Benefits of Recycling
- Prevents pollution that would be caused by burning, transporting, and getting rid of waste.
- Creates employment for people who are working in the recycling industry.
- Boosts creativity, especially among young people, as they come up with innovative ways to turn waste into items of value.
- Reduces the amount of waste that ends up in oceans and other spaces where they could harm plants and animals.
- Helps in the conservation of natural resources such as timber, minerals, and water.
Steps to Recycling
The steps to recycling waste are simple. They are three main steps that create some form of a loop which is used as the recycling symbol. The processes are as follows.
Step 1: Collecting and Processing
As the name suggests, this is the process where the waste products are gathered. This can be done in households and offices, designated drop-off areas, and communal waste collection centres.
After the items have been collected, they are then sent to a facility where they are sorted, cleaned, and later processed. The recyclable products are sold in the same way that raw materials would be. The price is determined by the demand around the world. There are many collection and processing points across the UK. You can always find the most convenient one near you.
Step 2: Manufacturing
There are many products in today’s world that have been made from recycled material. Some of the most common items that have been recycled and are being used in households include cutlery, newspapers, and furniture, among others. Recycled materials are also making their way into the construction industry, and now there are pavements made from recycled products.
Step 3: Buying Recycled Products
Consumers stay in the recycling loop by buying items that have been made from recycled products. A visit to the supermarket will expose you to thousands of products that have been made from recycled waste. Make sure that you read through the packaging so that you know if what you are buying is recyclable. You should also check to see if they have been marked as made from recycled products. You play an essential role in the environmental conservation process if you buy recycled products.
Terms Used in Recycling
If you want to get into recycling, you must first understand some of the terms that are used to sell recycled products. They include:
- Recycled content product: This means that the item was manufactured using materials that have been recycled from a recycling programme or from the waste that was gathered in the manufacturing process.
- Post-consumer content: This is almost the same as recycled content. The only difference is that post-consumer content is made from material that comes from businesses or consumers through a recycling programme.