Every day, the average person in the Kansas City metro region discards around 7 pounds of garbage. We can do a lot better, especially because the majority of our trash is recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable. But how do you do it? By recycling more and in a more efficient manner. Visit What Do I Do With…? to learn more about how to recycle.
Also Read: Plastic Recycling Management
Download the Recycle More, Recycle Better flier to discover how to recycle better.
What is the significance of recycling?
Most people think of recycling as a means to “defend the environment,” but it’s much more. Recycling is vital because it benefits our economy, our health, and our natural resources:
Economics
Recycling is a major economic force in the United States, contributing significantly to job creation, business expansion, tax income, and overall economic development.
Human Well-Being
Extracting and processing natural resources to create products, then discarding them in landfills, results in pollution that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we use to grow our food. Recycling cuts down on resource extraction and processing, lowering pollution.
Conservation
Recycling helps to save energy, landfill space, and natural resources including wood, water, and minerals.
What is the procedures for recycling?
The four steps of recycling are as follows:
Step 1: Collection
Recycling can be collected in a number of methods, including the following:
- Collection at the curb
- Recycling drop-off locations, retail locations, or collection events
- Programs for deposit and refund
Step 2: Processing
Recyclables are collected and delivered to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). where they are sorted, cleaned, and processed into materials that can be utilized in production. The Kansas City metro region is served by three MRFs. This Waste Management video walks you through the process of processing items after they arrive at a facility.
Step 3: Manufacturing
Recycled content is becoming increasingly common in today’s products. You probably already buy recycled-content products and aren’t even aware of it. The following are examples of common household items that contain recycled materials:
- Cans made of aluminum
- Bumpers for automobiles
- Cereal boxes with carpeting
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- boxes of eggs
- Containers made of glass
- Bottles of laundry detergent
- Nails soaked in motor oil
- Newspapers
- Towels made of paper
- Products made of steel
- Garbage bags
Step 4: Buying Products Made from Recycled Materials
You aren’t truly recycling unless you buy recycled goods, which is known as “closing the loop.” A recycled product is one that is created entirely or partially from waste-derived materials. Products created with recycled content are equal in price and quality to those made using virgin materials. Purchasing items with recycled content helps to establish long-term markets for recyclable resources.
What role does recycling play in the larger scheme of things?
The EPA developed the Waste Management Hierarchy to identify the most environmentally sound techniques for managing municipal solid waste, sometimes known as trash or rubbish. Recycling is just one component of the Waste Management Hierarchy. The greatest categorization is waste reduction (source reduction): garbage does not have to be disposed of if it is not produced.
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