Recycling can refer to one of the following:
- to use a product for a new purpose without changing the essential form, or by altering it minimally
- to use a product with a new user (ie by giving away a product to someone else, see Reuse and Freeganism)
- to collect and process used materials to make new products.[1]
Reusing
A number of on-line services exist to allow people to give away items they no longer use and permit others to benefit from them. In example:
- Freegle
- Freecycle
- Ecofreek is a search engine that searches the web for free and 'for swap/trade' items people no longer need from over 45+ major sources.
Making new products
In many cases, waste products are used to create saleable products and generate income. See for example:
- 3Cycle
- Recycling and dengue fever in Sukunan, Indonesia
- The Flip Flop Recyling Project
- Thrashilicious.com
Such collection and remanufacture prevents waste, limits the need to extract new raw materials, reduces energy usage while minimizing air and water pollution from traditional forms of waste disposal. In some situations (ie Flip Flop Recycling Project) they also clean up litter found in nature. Many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles and electronics are recyclable. While composting of food or garden waste, either in home gardens or through central municipal facilities, is very worthwhile, we do not usually think of composting as falling within the scope of recycling.
Local recycling
Australia:
- Recycling Near You - find recycling information by area and item.
Essex, UK:
- Recycling In Essex - find recycling information in Essex.
See also
- Producer responsibility and recycling solar photovoltaic modules
- Optimal use of IV-fluid bags
- Anaerobic digestion W
- Biodegradable waste W
- Bioplastic W
- Compost W
- Green waste W
- Recycling W
- Sustainable packaging W
- Upcycling W
- Waste hierarchy W
References
External links
- wikipedia:Landfill mining
- Funny Video Viral on recycling and avoiding unfortunate labels.
- A Recycling Revolution - Recycling doesn't have to be just another household chore. We can use it as an opportunity to connect with our family, raise funds for our churches and schools, and educate our students.
- How to Recycle Anything - A comprehensive list on how to recycle over 200 common household items.
- How To Instill Recycling Culture In Your Business