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 Municipal Solid Waste Recycling
Recycling is a worthwhile activity with many benefits to you, your family and the environment. It reduces the amount of solid waste going into landfills and incinerators, saves energy, creates valuable jobs and helps preserve natural resources for future generations.
Reuse & Recycling of Non-Hazardous Industrial Materials
Non-hazardous industrial waste makes up a significant amount of the total waste generated in the U.S. every year. Most of that material is buried in landfills, but there is enormous potential to “beneficially” reuse or recycle many of those materials in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment. Some of the many benefits of appropriately reusing and recycling industrial materials include conserving natural resources and energy, extending the life of landfills, saving money on avoided disposal fees, saving money on virgin materials and preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
The States make regulatory determinations on beneficial use. Due to interest from States and material generators, Region 5 promotes industrial waste prevention and beneficial reuse and recycling in an effort to reduce the amount of valuable materials going to landfills. The Region also supports the development of tools and the collection of data to support State decision-making.
How Does Recycling Work?
Separating materials from your garbage into the recycling bin, or taking recyclables to the drop-off center is only one step in the process of recycling. There are three steps:
Most of us only participate in the collection step of recycling. Many communities have active programs which encourage separating recyclable items from the garbage. There are also drop off centers and companies which take in recyclables. Once recyclable items have been collected, they are crushed, bailed or shredded (processed) and sold to companies that manufacture new
Literally thousands of businesses process collected recyclables in the manufacture of new products. Many recycle the product back into the same product again, such as aluminum cans, glass bottles, or paper. Others use recyclables as feedstock for a different product, such as plastic lumber park benches or decks made from plastic milk jugs or soda bottles. Regardless of where these items end up, recycling helps save our natural resources by reusing existing materials rather than depleting new ones. Recycling reduces the amount of raw materials mined, processed and consumed, and reduces energy consumption.
Products
In order to fully participate in recycling, consumers must buy recycled products. There are many items that can be purchased, from notebook paper to clothes. Look for labels that say if an item is made from recyclable materials (especially beneficial is a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content). Also, look for items that can be recycled again, in particular if it is a disposable item like a milk jug. Proper waste management is everyone's responsibility.
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