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Clothing is a very easily recyclable resource that can be repurposed in many different ways. Currently textiles are believed to make up around 5.2% of landfills. Discarding old clothing and textiles is fast becoming the rarity, as more and more people are either donating, recycling, or even reselling them. Donating…

Recycling printer and ink cartridges saves 40,000 tons of plastic and metal from landfills each year in North America. Even more beneficial than recycling used cartridges is reusing and refilling them multiple times before they are recycled. A nearly sustainable sub-industry has emerged around this very process from both local…

Plastics are woven into almost every aspect of our lives. They are used to manufacture everyday products like toys, furniture, and beverage containers. Plastics make up almost 13 percent of the municipal solid waste. The majority of plastics come from containers and packaging but they are also found in durable…

Paper makes up 27 percent of municipal solid waste, which is more than any other individual material Americans throw away. For this reason, the need to recycle paper is extremely important to reduce the amount of waste placed in landfills. In 2012 Americans recycled about 65 percent of the paper…

Did you know one gallon of motor oil can pollute 1 million gallons of water? Household paints and automotive oils are considered Household Hazardous Waste by the EPA. It is estimated that Americans discard as much as 69 million gallons of paint and 500 million gallons of motor oil each…

Almost all metals can be divided into two main categories: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals. The main difference between the two is that ferrous metals and alloys contain iron and non-ferrous materials do not. In terms of recycling and reusing these materials there are several other key differences to understand. Ferrous…

Glass is a resource that can be completely recycled with no loss in quality and purity. It is made from readily-available domestic materials, such as sand, soda ash, limestone, and furnace-ready scrap glass called cullet. Glass is recycled by heating large quantities of glass at high temperatures and then molded…

Furniture can be very difficult to throw away on a curbside, so recycling and reusing is an appealing option for most people interested in upgrading the look of their living room or bedroom. While a recycling center will receive, break down and process old furniture, there are several different options…

Computers and electronic devices have been integral in providing services for communications all over the world. Technology evolves at a rapid pace,  and so many electronic devices are making their way to the dump because of how quickly they become outdated. Because of consumer demand for new products, landfills are…

Composting is one of the most easily recyclable resources that are frequently trashed. Composting is a controlled process of decomposition of organic material. Placing yard and food waste into composting bins helps naturally occurring soil organisms recycle nitrogen, potash, phosphorus, and other plant nutrients, which can be used on lawns,…

Medical waste are any materials that pertain to personal health, including pills, needles and syringes, and inhalers. This also includes equipment used in hospitals and medical care centers. Until recently recycling sharp materials, or “sharps,” was not seriously considered by many hospitals. A survey in 2010 estimated that hospitals generate…

Construction Materials are the items discarded after a construction or demolition project. Types of materials include: Concrete Tile Wood/Lumber Plastics Doors Windows Insulation Carpet Because of chemical treatments applied to many construction materials, it is encouraged to recycle as much of the materials as possible. Sustainable Resources made a useful…