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A lot of waste is produced in residential and commercial residences in Australia. Therefore, if you do not correctly manage the waste you generate in your household or business, it could lead to massive pollution and other adverse effects. That said, it is vital to have an understanding of the best way to manage all the trash you produce on your property.
Different waste management methods are used in Australia, each with its own benefits. This article will concentrate on recycling as a waste management process and some of the benefits of recycling our recyclable waste.
What Is Recycling?
Recycling is the process of converting recyclable materials into new and usable products. This process ensures that useful waste that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills serves a purpose. Recycling is necessary because it helps in reducing the amount of waste produced.
It also helps reduce pollution resulting from landfill sites and incineration. The benefits of recycling and reusing go beyond minimising the amount of waste produced in Australia. Among other benefits that will be covered below, it also helps improve air quality and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
What Materials Can Be Recycled?
You can recycle various waste materials to create recycled raw materials and products. Here are some of the most common recyclable materials.
Aggregates
Aggregates refer to the by-products of different industrial processes like concrete from demolition. The materials can be reconditioned and used again in new manufacturing or construction projects.
Electronics
Your electronic waste can also be dismantled and recycled. Some of their parts can be reconditioned and reused in products such as mobile phones, computers, batteries, and refrigerators.
Glass
Glass is recycled to produce several valuable materials such as fibreglass, concrete, bricks, cement, new glass containers, or glass grit for cleaning.
Metals
It’s costly to make metals from raw materials. Therefore, recycling metals to make new metals, such as steel, is a more affordable and eco-friendly option.
Organic materials
Organic waste can also be recycled, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, wood chippings, grass clippings, and tea bags. This can be done through composting, a process in which organic waste is recycled into compost that gardening businesses or farms can then use. Recycling can also be done through specialised heat processing to make fuel and liquid fertiliser.
Paper
Paper can also be recycled. Magazines and newspapers can be recycled into items such as packaging and egg boxes. Old printouts and photocopies can also be turned into high-quality papers. Finally, cardboard can be recycled and made into new packaging, cardboard, or repurposed as animal bedding.
Plastic
Plastics can be recycled into products such as plastic bags or containers. Different plastics must be separated and sorted into various categories during the recycling process.
Luckily, most plastic products feature a code that helps in the separation process during recycling. Plastics with the same code are supposed to be put together during the recycling process.
Textiles
Textiles can be recycled into insulation, cloth, or yarn for weaving and knitting. Industrial textile waste from carpets can be recycled to produce weaving materials, while cropping can be repurposed into animal bedding.
Tyres
Tyres can also be recycled by shredding them to make new rubber, which is then used to create and re-tread new tyres. Old tyres can also be burnt as fuel.
Wood
Wood can be recycled to produce several new products. These products include mulch used in the garden, animal bedding, fuel chips, and fuel pellets.
Some of the products that you cannot recycle include:
• Food waste
• Medical waste
• Hazard chemical containers
• Garden waste
• Oils
• Bubble wrap
• Disposable nappies
Benefits Of Recycling
Here are the significant benefits of recycling.
Minimises air pollution and CO2 emissions
Recycling is a more efficient and straightforward process to generate many raw materials. Recycling materials generates less air pollution and CO2 emissions in the air. For example, recycling aluminium is easier and leads to less pollution than mining, refining, and shipping raw aluminium.
This is the case because the mining process has massive environmental effects. Recycling reduces the emission of other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Promotes a healthier ecosystem for wildlife and humans
Recycling helps promote a healthier ecosystem for the survival of wildlife and humans. For instance, some waste products are recycled into manure and applied in gardens and fields.
This helps promote the growth of plants and helps maintain a healthy and clean environment. The process also helps reduce toxic waste that would otherwise be disposed of in lakes, rivers, and other water sources.
When plastics and other materials are recycled, fewer products are left to pollute the environment and damage the ecosystems. Additionally, recycling paper helps preserve forests and biodiversity because the demand for raw materials used to make paper is reduced.
Conserves natural resources
Recycling waste reduces the need to harvest natural resources from our planet. For instance, recycling metals reduces the use of raw metals from minefields. It’s a great process to help conserve non-renewable resources for future generations. Recycling saves natural resources and ensures that resources are not diminished.
Saves energy
Less energy is used in the production of new products from recycled materials. Thus, the process helps save energy that would otherwise be utilised in making new raw materials. For instance, when paper is recycled, less energy is used to produce recycled pieces than making new paper from trees.
Less energy is also used when metal is recycled. In addition, the process helps save energy that would otherwise be used to extract and transport the raw materials to produce new products.
Saves money
Recycling also helps save a lot of money because many costs are eliminated in producing new products. This also means that the products made from recycled materials are less costly than the ones produced from raw materials.
For example, plastics and paper produced from recycled materials are less expensive than their counterparts. Recycling plays a vital role in keeping the cost of many products more competitive and affordable.
Promotes respect for the environment
Recycling helps promote more environmentally conscious behaviours among people. When people recycle, they understand the need to respect the environment more. Additionally, they know the importance of conserving natural resources for future generations. Therefore, recycling helps in instilling moral behaviours geared towards protecting our planet.
Minimises the amount of waste disposed of in landfills
Although landfills are legal waste disposal mechanisms, they significantly contribute to land pollution. A lot of waste, such as plastics, cardboard, and other materials disposed of in landfills, compromises the environment’s safety.
When the materials are burnt, they cause air pollution. After incineration, toxic gases are produced that contribute to air pollution and adverse health effects. Recycling these materials reduces the need for landfills and incinerators.
Promotes economic growth and creates job opportunities
Recycling is an excellent source of employment in Australia. Many industries have been created because of the many recycling programs introduced in the country. The industries employ many people, thus helping reduce the unemployment rate and boost the economy.
In addition, products from recycled products are cheaper than the ones produced from the original raw material. This feature makes them more affordable to all citizens. Consequently, recycling helps make life more affordable and reduces the cost of living.
The process helps improve economic sustainability and leads to more sustainable business practices geared towards environmental responsibility.
Promotes the use of local materials to boost the economy
Recycling helps reduce the dependence on imported raw materials. If a country can recycle materials to produce recycled raw materials, its dependency on other countries is significantly reduced, leading to more economic security. Recycling is also a great way to ensure that local materials are used to produce new products.
Hire The Top Skip Bin Company For Your Waste Management
You should work with the best skip bin company near you for the best waste management solution for your commercial or residential property in Australia. These companies can help collect waste from your property and dispose of it according to the set rules and regulations.
When they collect your waste, they expertly sort it out to determine the ones to be recycled and the ones that should go to the landfills. They have trucks and other equipment that help them offer high-quality waste management services, so you can trust them to manage your waste.
Supreme Skips
Supreme Skips have the largest range of skip bins available for hire in the Adelaide, SA region.
