Recycle Items – Because Every Little Bit Counts

BySwagCycle
recycle

?In the age of global warming and climate change, it has become more important than ever to recycle. Recycling helps reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling also helps protect our environment and wildlife. However, recycling can be a bit of a mystery to some of us. Let’s take a closer look at how and why you should recycle different types of items.

Paper: Paper is one of the most commonly recycled items. It is easy to recycle, and it saves trees from being cut down. However, not all paper is created equal. You need to separate your paper into different types, such as cardboard, newspaper, printer paper, and magazines. You also need to remove any staples or paper clips. Wet paper is not recyclable, so don’t put it in your recycling bin.

Plastic: Plastic is one of the most problematic items to recycle. Different types of plastic have different recycling capabilities, so you may need to do some research. Most recycling facilities can recycle plastic bottles, but other types of plastic, such as food containers, may not be accepted. It is essential to rinse and clean your plastic containers before recycling them. You should also remove lids and caps as these are made from a different type of plastic.

Glass: Glass is one of the easiest items to recycle and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. However, you need to be careful when handling glass items, as they can break easily. Broken glass is not recyclable and can be dangerous to those handling your recycling. If you can’t recycle your glass, consider reusing it for storage or DIY projects.

Electronics: Electronics are becoming an increasingly common item to recycle as we upgrade our devices frequently. However, you can’t just throw your old electronics into your recycling bin. You need to take them to a specialized e-waste recycling facility. These facilities can recover precious metals and plastics, preventing them from ending up in landfills. It is important to wipe your electronics of any personal data and passwords before recycling them.

Appliances: Appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, are also an item that needs special attention when recycling. You can’t just put them out on the curb for the garbage truck to take away. They require special facilities to recycle, as they contain refrigerants, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals that can be harmful to the environment. Many cities offer special pick-up services for appliances, so be sure to check with your local waste management office.

How Recycling Items Can Make a Difference?

Recycling can make a considerable difference in the environmental health of our planet. Let’s explore the various ways that recycle items can make a difference.

1. Reducing Waste
Recycling items can significantly reduce the amount of waste that we produce. By recycling, we can prevent materials from going to landfills, which would contribute to the accumulation of trash. Recycling reduces the need for new raw materials and the energy required to produce them. This practice conserves natural resources and has numerous environmental benefits.

2. Saving Energy
Producing new materials and products requires a lot of energy, which often comes from non-renewable sources such as oil and coal. Recycling saves energy by reducing the need for new production processes. Recycling some materials, such as aluminum cans, saves a considerable amount of energy compared to producing new ones. For example, recycling aluminum saves about 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum.

3. Protecting the Environment
Recycling is a sustainable solution that helps to protect the environment. By reducing the amount of waste in landfills, recycling reduces greenhouse gases and prevents toxic chemicals from entering our soil and water sources. Recycling also helps to reduce the demand for landfills and incinerators, which can negatively impact the air quality of their surrounding areas.

4. Supporting the Economy
Recycling creates jobs and contributes to the economy. The recycling industry employs millions of people worldwide, from collectors to processors to manufacturers. Recycling also creates new markets for materials, leading to increased demand and value for recycled ones. This economic opportunity can be especially beneficial for economically disadvantaged communities.

5. Promoting Sustainable Living
Recycling is an essential part of a sustainable lifestyle. By practicing responsible waste disposal and recycling, we can reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainable living. Recycling can also inspire us to consider our consumption habits and the impact they have on our environment. Changing our habits to minimize waste can help to further reduce our environmental footprint.

In conclusion, recycling items can make a significant difference in the environment and the economy. Recycling reduces waste, saves energy, protects the environment, supports the economy, and promotes sustainable living. By recycling, we can take responsibility for the impact that our consumption habits have on our environment. This practice is something that we can all do to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future. Let’s take small steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

"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."