Common Myths About Recycling

In this article, The Junk Tycoons clarify some of the common myths about recycling that you may have read about or heard.

Recycling Uses More Energy Than It Saves

While recycling does require some energy, it's significantly less than the energy needed to extract and process virgin materials to make new products. Recycling aluminum cans, for instance, uses about 7% of the energy required to make new ones from scratch.

Everything Gets Lumped Together At The Recycling Plant

It’s easy for most people to believe this misconception because they’re not so familiar with the recycling process. The truth is, different kinds of waste are sorted using machines and human sorters and recycled separately. Different materials require different reprocessing techniques. For instance, aluminum cans can be melted down and reformed relatively easily, while plastic needs to be sorted by type and go through a more complex process to be reused. Certain materials can contaminate a whole batch of recyclables if they are not separated properly. For example, greasy food containers can ruin a batch of paper products.

Aerosol Cans Can’t Be Recycled

Empty aerosol cans are usually recyclable after you remove the plastic cap, which may require a separate recycling stream. If you have lots of these cans taking up space in your home or storage facility, look for a nearby junk hauler to pick them up. Be sure to call them upfront to find out if they accept aerosol cans and how you can prepare them for recycling.

Only Food Can Go In The Compost

Contrary to popular belief, compost bins accept yard trimmings, food scraps, and even some paper products like coffee filters and unbleached paper towels. Composting these materials creates nutrient-rich soil, reducing landfill waste.

All Biodegradable Items Are Compostable

This is false. Not all biodegradable items are compostable. Good examples of biodegradable items that may not be ideal for composting include diseased plants, citrus peels, and commercially compostable items.

Recycling Means Job Losses

The recycling industry actually creates jobs in sorting, processing, and manufacturing products from recycled materials. In countries with well-established recycling programs, the industry has seen employment growth by as much as tenfold in some cases. As the focus on sustainability grows, the recycling sector is expected to see continued job creation.

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