How to Recycle: The Ultimate Guide

All of us are concerned about environmental issues today, such as pollution and depletion of natural resources, and so we want to contribute significantly to the environment. We are all concerned about matters, such as the increasing rubbish collection in Plymouth. To make the environment greener and pollution-free, we need to make changes to the process of waste removal in Plymouth and also know more about issues, such as recycling of plastic, paper, etc. and converting food waste to compost.

The waste disposal process can be made better by reducing the amount of waste generated and increasing the amount of recycling. Recycling will help to reduce the negative effect of waste on the environment and health. It will enhance health by lessening the pollution of the water, soil, and air by removing waste from the environment.

First, you have to know that certain items such as lids of plastic bottles, tissues, takeaway coffee cups lined with plastic, disposable nappy pads, etc. cannot be recycled. You can recycle item such as toilet rolls, paper plates, shampoo or soap bottles, reusable sports drinks bottles, etc.

To contribute to the environment positively, you should know all about recycling, such as how and what to recycle.

Here are some tips that will serve as a guide for recycling.

1. Recycling paper:

• The first thing to take care of when recycling paper is to ensure that it is kept separately and see that it does not get covered or mixed up with other disposed items.
• Paper that is shredded is not fit for recycling as its small fibers can jam the recycling machine. But shredded paper can be used as compost for your garden.
• Paper napkins and towels are also unfit for recycling but can be used as compost.
• Leftover cardboard can be used by laying it in your garden covered with mulch to control the growth of weeds.
• Shredded newspaper can be used as compost.
• Some paper items, such as paper cups lined with plastic, cannot be recycled.

2. Recycling plastic:

Many of our daily use items are made of plastic, such as bottles, cleaning products, etc. Hard plastics can be recycled to make other things, while soft plastics cannot be recycled. To find out whether the plastic you have can be recycled, try to make a hole into it with your finger. Those items which you are not able to pierce can be recycled. Recycled plastic is used to produce new items, such as buckets, furniture, bottles, toys, etc.

Place the recyclable plastic things in your recycle bin. There are places which offer you refund on particular varieties of bottles or containers. Find out where you can return your plastic items near your home.

3. Recycling water:

Reusing water provides many benefits to you, such as lesser usage of water resources, lower water bills, decreasing pollution of the waterways, and getting water for watering your garden when there are shortages.

Water can be recycled in the following ways:

• You can save the water which you use for boiling vegetables
• Save the water used when you are cooking or use it again for cooking
• You can save water used for washing vegetables and use it for watering plants
• You can collect the excess water which overflows when you water your plants.
• You can collect water from your shower that is running while you are waiting for it to get heated

4. Recycling batteries:

Used batteries can negatively affect landfills as they contain toxic chemicals. But these batteries can be recycled to make other useful items. There are places where they will accept your old batteries for recycling. You can search for such places in your area so that you can give away your used batteries.

5. Making compost:

Making compost rich in nutrients is highly beneficial for the environment and excellent for your garden also. It does not cost anything to make and making it is a very simple process. You can compost items, such as shredded newspaper or cardboard, fruit and vegetable waste, dead flowers, leaves, corn cobs, tea leaves, etc. You cannot compost items, such as dairy products, diseased plants, meat, bones, banana peels, orange rinds, etc.

Essential tips for making compost:

• Ensure that the plot of land is bare to allow the compost to be aerated by worms
• It should also be shaded to prevent the compost from drying. Add manure that is not a food crop along with yard clippings to activate the compost
• Cover the compost with plastic or wood for retaining heat and moisture and preventing excess rainwater
• Your compost should be moist but not be fully soaked with water
• Use a garden fork to turn the compost to keep it aerated
• Mix thoroughly any new materials that you add

6. To reduce food wastage:

• Share whatever food you do not need.
• Recycle leftover food into the ground.
• Buy food only when you need it.

In this way, by recycling water, plastic, paper, batteries, and by making compost from food waste, you can reduce the enormous amount of rubbish collection in Plymouth. This will help in improving the waste removal in Plymouth, reduce the pollution of the land and environment, and improve the health of the people.