Recycling and some of the most common objects that can be recycled

Where climate change was once the subject of considerable debate, in recent years, global climate variances and spectacular weather events have left few people in any doubt that our planet is changing. 

Sadly, we will be the first generation that is likely to witness change on a previously unimaginable scale – particularly if we don’t collectively act now to start taking preventative measures. From the biggest multinational firm right down to the typical man in the street, we all have a part to play in helping reduce our environmental impact. 

Recycling – the easiest and simplest change you can make to help protect the Earth

Governments globally are now actively encouraging their populations to step up and start taking a greener approach to how they live. While some of these changes can result in significant lifestyle changes, there is one very simple alteration you could make today that, taken as a whole, could produce dramatic improvements – namely, recycling. 

What can be recycled?

A huge number of our everyday items can be recycled and repurposed for better use. However, if you were in any doubt about what you should look to put in a recycling center, below are just a few of the most common items. 

Paper and cardboard: Perhaps the most commonly-known form of recycling, repurposing paper, and card helps reduce deforestation – which, given trees and forests are the natural lungs of the Earth, can only be a good thing. It’s estimated that a ton of recycled paper can protect 17 trees, while production using recycled paper compared to raw pulp is around 70% more efficient, resulting in reduced energy use. Companies equipped with baling machines like those produced by recyclingbalers.com can make light work of putting your used paper and card to better use. 

Metal recycling: Remember all those food and drink tins you buy? They can all be used for recycling purposes. Indeed, metal is such an efficient recycling product that it can be used many times over. Metal tins come in ferrous (e.g., steel and iron) and non-ferrous varieties (e.g., stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc.).

Electronic device recycling: Pretty much any item in your home that is powered by a plug can be recycled – everything from computers to cellphones, TVs, etc. Indeed, many of these devices contain components and materials that are already in short supply, so you should not simply put them out with general refuse.

Plastic recycling: It’s believed that plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose, so it’s vitally important that you get into the habit of sending them for recycling. Perhaps more importantly, our appetite for plastic items shows no signs of decreasing any time soon. At present, it’s estimated the world produces around 380 million tons of plastic every year – with that figure expected to double in the next twelve years. Plastic can have disastrous effects on the wildlife in our oceans while it is also the bane of landfall sites due to its abnormally long time for decomposition.