We’ve all seen the recycling symbol – a triangle of arrows. Notice how those arrows follow each other, with no “exit” in place? Each arrow represents a part of the phrase, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
You have probably come across opportunities to recycle when you are in search of a trash can. But what items can be recycled? Does it matter if I toss in the wrong thing?
Here a few tips from the Garden’s Sustainability team can help you become a recycling expert!
Why recycle?
There are many reasons we should all recycle when we can. Below are just a few of the benefits that come out of single-stream recycling:
- Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States
- Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
- Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals
- Prevents pollution by reducing the need to extract new raw materials
- Saves energy (less processing is required to make an existing material reusable)
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
- Helps sustain the environment for future generations!
Stick with the Six
Your recycling journey starts with getting comfortable with the phrase, “stick with the six.” These are the six different types of items that can go in most single-stream recycling collections:
- Paper
- Flattened Cardboard
- Plastic Bottles and Containers (no flat plastics or bags and films)
- Glass Bottles and Jars
- Metal Food and Beverage Cans
- Food and Beverage Cartons
Make sure these items are as dry as possible and throw them in recycling containers LOOSE AND UNBAGGED!
Avoid Contamination
Think it’s no big deal to toss in something that doesn’t belong in a recycling collection? WRONG! Contaminating single stream recycling leads to all sorts of issues down the line.
Watch this Living St. Louis Recycling segment to find out more about how recycling is processed and why it is so important to avoid contamination.
What do our recyclables get made into?
Many businesses manufacture new products from recycled materials, and they rely on consumers to provide the recyclables that keep their plants running. Each type of material is processed differently based on its unique characteristics:
- Glass is crushed into small pieces called cullet, cleaned and melted to create new glass products.
- Plastic is shredded, cleaned and shaped into pellets that are remelted into a variety of new plastic products, including industrial carpet, clothing, pipes, and more!
- Aluminum and steel are shredded, cleaned and melted into new aluminum and steel products.
- Paper and cardboard are recycled by mixing them with water (and sometimes additives) to create a pulp slurry in a giant blender called a pulper. The pulp mix passes through cleaning equipment to remove any contaminants. Next, the pulp goes through an ink removal process and then is spread out over large screens and dried to become new paper or cardboard.
(Source: Saint Louis City Recycles, n.d. Where Does My Recycling Go)
What about those weird items?
Perhaps you have items that CANNOT go into single-stream recycling! Sometimes there are options. For example, you find yourself buried in plastic bags from shopping outings, you can recycle them by taking them to drop-off locations that accept these types of stretchy plastic and film. Note: they must be clean, dry, and free of food or organic waste.
Did you know? Plastic bags and film are the No. 1 contaminant in single-stream recycling collections and cause major damage to the sorting facility machines.
What next?
Explore additional recycling resources:
- RecycleResponsibly.org
- Follow our friends at STL City Recycles for recycling intel and weekly tips!
- You can always check for resources from the recycling experts where you live. You can typically find information on what items your region’s recycling program accepts online via your city or municipalities refuse information pages.
Still have a question?
Whatever your question, the Garden’s sustainable-living experts are at your service! We can help you:
- find green products and services
- evaluate green claims
- plan your green home or lifestyle project
Contact us today at greenresources@mobot.org or (314) 577-0246.
The Missouri Botanical Garden provides resources for advancing sustainability:
We aim to support and educate about energy efficiency, reducing waste, controlling storm water, improving indoor air quality and saving money.
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