Recycling Methods

Recycling Methods

Mechanical Recycling

• Involves physical separation and processing of recyclable materials
• Most common method used for plastics, paper, and glass
• Process: collection, sorting, cleaning, shredding, melting, and reforming into new products

Chemical Recycling

• Involves breaking down materials at the molecular level
• Used for materials that cannot be mechanically recycled, such as plastics with complex structures
• Process: depolymerization, gasification, and re-polymerization

Biological Recycling

• Involves using microorganisms to break down organic materials
• Used for food waste, agricultural waste, and sewage sludge
• Process: anaerobic digestion, composting, and fermentation

Recyclable Materials

Plastics

• Types: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene)
• Recyclable forms: bottles, containers, packaging materials, bags

Paper and Cardboard

• Types: newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, paperboard
• Recyclable forms: newspapers, cardboard boxes, paper products, packaging materials

Glass

• Types: soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, lead glass
• Recyclable forms: bottles, jars, containers, windows

Metals

• Types: ferrous (iron, steel), non-ferrous (aluminum, copper, zinc)
• Recyclable forms: cans, foil, scrap metal, appliances

Organic Materials

• Types: food waste, agricultural waste, sewage sludge
• Recyclable forms: compost, biogas, fertilizer

Recycling Methods

• Mechanical recycling involves physical separation and processing of recyclable materials, commonly used for plastics, paper, and glass.
• It involves a process of collection, sorting, cleaning, shredding, melting, and reforming into new products.
• Chemical recycling breaks down materials at the molecular level, used for materials that cannot be mechanically recycled, such as plastics with complex structures.
• Chemical recycling involves depolymerization, gasification, and re-polymerization.
• Biological recycling uses microorganisms to break down organic materials, commonly used for food waste, agricultural waste, and sewage sludge.
• Biological recycling involves anaerobic digestion, composting, and fermentation.

Recyclable Materials

Plastics

• PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• PP (polypropylene) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• PS (polystyrene) is a type of recyclable plastic.
• Recyclable plastic forms include bottles, containers, packaging materials, and bags.

Paper and Cardboard

• Newspaper is a type of recyclable paper.
• Cardboard is a type of recyclable paper.
• Mixed paper is a type of recyclable paper.
• Paperboard is a type of recyclable paper.
• Recyclable paper forms include newspapers, cardboard boxes, paper products, and packaging materials.

Glass

• Soda-lime glass is a type of recyclable glass.
• Borosilicate glass is a type of recyclable glass.
• Lead glass is a type of recyclable glass.
• Recyclable glass forms include bottles, jars, containers, and windows.

Metals

• Ferrous metals (iron, steel) are recyclable.
• Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, zinc) are recyclable.
• Recyclable metal forms include cans, foil, scrap metal, and appliances.

Organic Materials

• Food waste is a type of recyclable organic material.
• Agricultural waste is a type of recyclable organic material.
• Sewage sludge is a type of recyclable organic material.
• Recyclable organic forms include compost, biogas, and fertilizer.

Recyclable Materials

• Paper products that can be recycled include newspaper, cardboard boxes, magazines, junk mail, and paperboard.
• Types of plastics that can be recycled are bottles and containers marked with recycling symbols 1-7, such as soda bottles, milk jugs, and detergent containers.
• Glass bottles and jars of various colors can be recycled.
• Recyclable metals include aluminum and steel cans, such as soda cans and food cans, as well as tin and tin-free steel.
• Organic materials that can be recycled include food waste and yard trimmings.
• Electronic devices that can be recycled include computers and peripherals, phones and tablets, and TVs and monitors.
• Batteries that can be recycled include alkaline batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries.

Special Collection Recyclables

• Tires can be recycled through special collection programs.
• Used oil and filters can be recycled through special collection programs.
• Textiles can be recycled through special collection programs.
• Fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled through special collection programs.

Non-Recyclable Materials

• Ceramics and porcelain are not typically recyclable.
• Window glass is not typically recyclable.
• Mirrors are not typically recyclable.
• Light bulbs, except for fluorescent bulbs, are not typically recyclable.
• Food waste in plastic bags is not typically recyclable.