Don’t Dump Recyclables: Tips for Keeping Sustainable Materials Out of Landfills

BySwagCycle
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Recycling is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment and reduce the negative impact of waste on the planet. However, not all recyclable materials can easily make their way into new products. From plastic bags to electronics, certain items can end up in landfills, polluting the soil and creating dangerous chemicals that can harm both wildlife and humans. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and steps that can help you ensure your recyclable materials are kept out of landfills and used to create new sustainable products.

  1. Educate Yourself and Others
    One of the most effective ways to ensure that recyclable materials are kept out of landfills is to educate yourself and others on what can and cannot be recycled. Start by researching your local recycling program and learning about the types of materials that are and aren’t accepted. Communicate this information to your family, friends, and colleagues, and urge them to join the recycling movement by properly disposing of their recyclable materials.
  2. Reduce Your Waste Footprint
    Another way to ensure that your recyclable materials are recycled is to reduce your waste footprint overall. This can be achieved by using reusable products, such as water bottles, bags, and utensils, instead of disposable ones that end up in landfills. You can also donate unwanted, usable items to local organizations or charities instead of tossing them out.
  3. Find Local Recycling Programs
    To ensure that your recyclable materials are actually being recycled, it is important to find local recycling programs. Many cities and towns offer curbside recycling pickup for certain items, and some even have designated drop-off locations for harder-to-recycle products, such as batteries and electronics. You can also search for recycling facilities near you that accept specific materials, such as plastic or glass, and make a habit of bringing in your materials regularly.
  4. Properly Prepare Your Materials
    Preparing your recyclable materials properly is crucial to ensuring that they can be recycled. This means cleaning out food containers and removing any leftover waste, properly separating different materials such as cardboard and paper, and breaking down larger items like furniture or appliances. Some materials, such as batteries and electronics, may require special preparation before being recycled. Check with your local recycling program for specifics on how to prepare each type of material.
  5. Support Sustainable Products
    By supporting sustainable products, you are not only contributing to the recycling movement, but you are also helping to create a demand for sustainable materials. Look for products made from recycled materials, such as toilet paper or paper towels, and support brands that have a commitment to sustainability. This will not only keep recyclable materials out of landfills but will also help to stimulate the economy and promote a sustainable future.

Conclusion:
Recycling may seem like a small step, but it is a powerful tool in reducing waste and protecting the environment. By educating ourselves and others, reducing our waste footprint, finding local recycling programs, properly preparing our materials, and supporting sustainable products, we can ensure that our recyclable materials are kept out of landfills and used to create new products. Together we can make a difference and create a more sustainable world. Read all about the recycling services by visiting online at SwagCycle.

"SwagCycle is a startup focused on responsibly managing the lifecycle of branded merchandise. When companies rebrand or get acquired, many often dispose of their obsolete branded merchandise. Leveraging our proprietary network of partners, we make this problem go away by helping companies repurpose and recycle unwanted branded items in a responsible, ethical, and affordable way.

SwagCycle is a proud portfolio company of Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth-generation marketing services firm with a deep history of corporate responsibility.

We’ve developed a simple and efficient 3-step process to address the issue of obsolete branded merchandise with companies:
(1) Assess the inventory of unwanted items;
(2) Confirm brand guidelines to determine if excess items can live on with charitable partners or should be recycled; and
(3) Match items with appropriate charities and/or recycling partners.

An important term to consider is landfill divergence. We want to ensure that items do not get thrown away, but instead, get repurposed or recycled responsibly.

The response from the charitable community has been wonderful. Some of our founding charitable partners include organizations like United Way, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, and Dress for Success, among others."