Recycling involves reclaiming materials from waste to reuse them, either in their original form or after processing. The process includes collecting recyclable materials, sorting them, processing them into new forms, and using products made from these materials. This helps prevent valuable resources from being wasted or incinerated, conserving disposal space.

Recycling offers several benefits:

Conserves Resources: Using recyclables instead of raw materials saves resources and frees up landfill space for non-recyclable waste.

Saves Energy: Recycling can save up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum and 40-70% for glass, paper, and metals. Recycled paper uses 64% less energy than new paper.
Reduces Landfill Waste: Recycling helps lower the nearly one ton of waste per person collected annually in the U.S.

Cuts Pollution: Recycled paper production generates 74% less air pollution and uses 35% less water compared to new paper. Improperly disposed motor oil can severely contaminate drinking water.

Boosts Jobs: Recycling creates job opportunities and is mandated by law in New Jersey.

The three R’s are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle:

• Reduce: Minimize waste by:

  • Buying products with less packaging and made from recycled content.
  • Choosing reusable over disposable items.
  • Using refillable containers and rechargeable batteries.
  • Printing on both sides of paper.

• Reuse: Extend the life of items by:

  • Reusing containers, boxes, and scrap paper.
  • Giving away or selling unused equipment and toys.
  • Repairing or donating clothing.
  • Sharing or borrowing items for special needs.

• Recycle:

  • Use products that can be recycled locally.
  • Follow your municipality’s recycling guidelines.
  • Leave grass clippings on the lawn to enrich the soil.

Recyclables provide raw materials for various products:

• Paper: Newsprint and corrugated paper can become insulation, packaging, gameboards, building materials, and more. Mixed paper and office paper can be turned into napkins, tissues, and new office paper.
• Plastic Bottles: These can be recycled into fibers for jackets, pillows, ropes, carpets, flower pots, and more.
• Steel Cans: Recycled into new steel products.
• Glass: Used for making fiberglass, bricks, glassphalt, and new glass containers.
• Aluminum Cans: Recycled into new cans, lawn chairs, window frames, and car parts.
• Concrete and Asphalt: Crushed for use in new concrete and road paving.
• Organic Waste: Leaves and grass become compost and mulch, while branches can be chipped for landscaping.
• Auto Batteries: Recycled into new batteries.
• Motor Oil: Re-refined into new oil.
• Tires: Retreaded or used in tire reefs, road fill, carpet padding, and more.

The numbers on plastic containers indicate the type of plastic:

• #1 PETE: Used for soda bottles, mouthwash bottles, and some food jars.
• #2 HDPE: Found in milk jugs, detergent bottles, and cleaners.
• #3 PVC: Used for pipes, cable insulation, and garbage cans.
• #4 LDPE: Includes trash bags, grocery bags, and plastic lumber.
• #5 PP: Used for carpet backing, auto battery cases, and video cassette cases.
• #6 PS: Found in food trays, cups, and toys.
• #7 Other: Includes various products like plastic lumber, fencing, and playground equipment.

Check the bottom of containers for the recycling symbol and code number. Your local municipality can guide you on which plastics are accepted. Generally, #1 and #2 plastics are the most commonly accepted.

Solid waste is simply what people throw away, often deemed worthless or unnecessary. Here are some eye-opening facts about American waste:

• Every three months, Americans discard enough aluminum to rebuild the entire U.S. commercial air fleet.
• Annually, they throw away a 12-foot high wall of paper stretching from New Jersey to California.
• Every hour, 2.5 million plastic bottles are discarded.
• Each year, 31.6 million tons of yard waste (grass, brush, leaves) are thrown away.
• Annually, 2 billion disposable batteries, 350 million lighters, 1.5 billion pens, and 2 billion razors are discarded.
• 18 billion disposable diapers are used each year, enough to stretch to the moon and back seven times.
• Garbage accumulates to fill the New Orleans Superdome every 12 hours.
• Daily, 43,000 tons of food waste is generated, equivalent to 50,000 compact cars.