There are many simple and innovative ways to protect the planet, actions that everyone can do even from home. It is about recycling, a way in which materials of various types can be reused to prevent them from ending up polluting the environment. Paper, plastic, glass, metals, water, food waste, and cooking oil can all be reused. Discover how to recycle garbage through 7 solutions that will serve to improve the environment.
Why is recycling so important for the environment?
Every year at least two billion tons of garbage are generated around the world. Incredible as it may seem, some 800,000 Olympic swimming pools could be completely filled with this amount. Despite this, just over 15% of this waste is the one that goes through a recycling process, which is equivalent to about 320 million tons per year.
But what about the rest of the garbage? The answer is painful, since all this waste ends up scattered in the environment. The consequences not only end up affecting the health of humans, millions of animal species and their habitats are also in great danger. This is where the importance of recycling comes in, an action that is easy to do and that can be very helpful for the planet.
Recycling is quite simple and the best thing is that anyone can do it from home, both adults and children. However, before starting it is essential to know a few things about how to recycle garbage and thus transform waste for later reuse.
How to recycle garbage?
Most of the things that are used daily can be recycled without problems, plastic or glass bottles, paper, aluminum, organic materials, etc. But before doing so, it is of the utmost importance to classify the waste depending on the main material of its composition. At the end of the classification, the waste is dumped into specific colored containers that will serve to identify the type of waste.
Container colors are usually specified as follows:
Blue
If you see a blue container, it means that they are used to recycle paper, old newspapers, brochures, magazines, etc. They also serve for cardboard boxes to some element made with this material.
Yellow
Yellow on the bins indicates that all plastic waste, i.e. bottles, lids, containers and bags, can be placed inside. Knowing how to recycle plastic is essential, since it is one of the elements that most pollutes the environment.
Green
Only glass waste, such as bottles and glass or glass debris, should be deposited in this. However, materials such as porcelain and ceramics are ruled out in this container.
Orange
Container designed for dumping all kinds of waste of organic origin.
Red
This type of container is intended for the deposit of toxic waste, including those that may become dangerous. Aerosols, batteries, remains of technological devices and hospital waste.
Gray
It is normally used for waste that is not classified in the previous categories.
7 recycling solutions to improve the environment
Once you have learned a little about how to recycle garbage, now it is time to learn about 7 recycling solutions to protect the environment. In this way, you will be able to apply what is known as the “3R”, that is, recycle, reduce and reuse, to save the planet.
1- Recycle what you don’t use and turn it into something useful
Before throwing the one you don’t use to the rubbish dump, it is advisable to make a selection and separate what can still be useful. For example, empty containers are very useful at home, since you can give them different uses. One of these is to turn them into organizers and thus store small objects such as screws, pins, buttons, etc.
Also, recycled plastic bottles can become objects to decorate the interior of the house or garden. They are also ideal for creating pots to plant any type of seeds or as decorative vases. The importance of knowing how to recycle plastic could help significantly reduce pollution in the environment.
Almost everything that is found inside the home can be recycled, it is only necessary to carry out a correct classification of the materials that can be useful. It’s not just about how to recycle plastic, wood, dishes, containers, pots and even an old bathtub is possible.
2- Give a new use to paper and cardboard
In addition to plastic, another useful element in the process of how to recycle garbage is paper and cardboard. Recycling paper helps to improve the environment and at the same time, it becomes something useful in the home. This element is highly appreciated in DIY, since its use is almost infinite.
If a sheet of paper is only scored on one side, then it can be reused to score the other side. Recycling paper is one of the activities that children can do at home, they can also make figures and have fun while helping the environment.
Cardboard boxes can be reused by turning them into organizers to save space at home. Depending on their size, they can be used as waste containers, these can be covered with paper and then painted in the color of your choice. If it is painted blue it can be used to recycle paper, while yellow is perfect for children to learn how to recycle plastic.
3- Create new garments with the clothes you no longer wear
Over time, the closet becomes a repository for clothes that are no longer used and that some may throw away. Before doing so, it is best to choose the garments that can be recovered to design new pieces according to current fashion. All it takes is a needle, thread, and a few scissors to turn a worn garment into something completely new.
The pieces of clothing that are no longer used can be used to design cushions or cushions for the furniture in the living room or garden. With a little creativity, you can even make very useful purses or bags to store things you buy in the market. Those garments that are very damaged, can also be reused as kitchen cloths or for cleaning.
4- Transform organic waste into compost
Separating organic waste for composting is a great idea when it comes to recycling your garbage. This process has many benefits for the environment, as it helps reduce the emission of gases that can become pollutants. In addition, compost is perfect to replace current fertilizers whose components harm the environment.
Depending on the quality of the compost, both the productivity and the fertility of the crops will benefit. Reducing the use of large amounts of water and without the need to use fertilizers with chemical components. Recycling is not only about how to recycle plastic, organic waste can also be very useful to nourish the soil.
5- Reuse leftover cooking oil
Normally, most people tend to throw away leftover cooking oil without realizing that this action is negative for the environment. Oil can contaminate hundreds of liters of water, especially when it ends up being dumped into rivers through pipes. When this happens, the remains of oil cause the surface of the rivers to form an oily layer. Obstructing the passage of oxygen and therefore damaging living beings.
To avoid this, there are ways to recycle and reuse leftover oil, thus contributing to the process of how to recycle garbage. The oil remains can be used in the manufacture of candles and homemade soaps. In addition, the residues are recent, they can be used to grease molds and even small objects.
6- Say NO to the use of plastic
The best solution to reduce pollution in the environment begins by reducing the use of plastic. Achieving it is not complicated and it is really beneficial for the planet, recycling plastic can save the lives of millions of marine and terrestrial species. Besides, it serves as one of the clearest examples to learn how to recycle garbage.
One of the simplest ways to avoid using plastic items is to use reusable bags or bags made from organic materials. Avoiding taking home single-use plastic bottles or containers is part of the solutions to combat pollution. So the measures on how to recycle plastic are very important.
7- Save water by reusing it
Water is one of the most important resources in the world and yet it is one of the most wasted. Protecting this valuable resource is part of the solutions or measures on how to recycle garbage. In this case, water is reused to avoid wasting it and contribute to saving it.
Washing the dishes, clothes and even bathing are the actions where this precious resource is wasted. To change this, you just have to reuse this water to water the plants or clean the floors. Refilling the toilet tank is also another very useful solution to reuse water.
Sources: Manosverdes, Interbank and Lavanguardia.