From Guest Blogger Anita Ginsberg: Beyond The Plastics–Six Items You Should Be Recycling To Protect The Environment

Most people realize that recycling is a good thing for the planet. What they may not fully understand is the tremendous benefit that recycling has for each individual on a personal, social, and economic basis. Convenience and lack of true knowledge about the resources available sometimes prevent people from committing to a recycling program. One way to encourage others to recycle is to educate them on what items are truly recyclable.

Glass

One recyclable item that has powerful benefits is glass. Recycled glass can be made into beautiful countertops and artwork. Recycling one glass item conserves enough energy to light a bulb for hours. Using recycled glass saves the Earth from other types of pollution as well. One ton of glass made from half recycled materials saves 250 pounds of mining waste. If we use recycled glass we would produce 20 percent less air pollution and 50 percent less water pollution.

Computers

Technology is always updating and it may be tempting to throw out an old computer that just can’t keep up with you anymore. A better choice would be to give the computer to someone who may have a use for it such as a friend or an organization. If this is not possible due to the computer not functioning, non-working computers can be sent to recycling centers where valuable part are recovered and reused.

Metal Products

Steel is a product that can be processed and recycled over and again without compromising the quality of the product. Some examples of steel products to recycle are steel cans, auto parts, scrap metal pieces or appliances. Tons of steel is recycled each year and recycling steel conserves enough energy to give power to millions of households a year.

Wood

Scrap lumber used to just be tossed into landfills but today more companies are taking old wooden beams and other parts to recycling centers. Besides recycling, re-purposed wood can be used for everything from wood beams in homes to flooring and furniture.

Rubber

The recycling of tires is an important innovation. Rubber tires can give off a toxic gas when disposed of incorrectly. Today, these tires are being made into rubber flooring which is a great surface that is easy on the back and knees. It is also sometimes used to surface playgrounds or streets.

Motor Oil

Each year, people doing their own oil changes improperly dispose of thousands of gallons of used motor oil. This can easily be funneled into a container and taken to a recycling center where it can be disposed of correctly and prevent pollution to our water systems.

Every person makes a difference when it comes to recycling. The more that we know and understand about what is recyclable, the more of a difference we can all make in the conservation of our planet.

Informational credit to Federal Metals Inc.