Recycling strategies have been developing many years ago, in some cases with high success percentages. Although they have been applying a long time, from the development of the theories on economy we are framed in this economic strategy (together with the reduction, reuse, other types of valorization, etc.), since they help us reduce extractivist activity as a result of introducing a new flow of raw material into the productive cycle, which comes from our waste. And we have to remember that garbage, rather than garbage without the possibility of benefit, is actually an opportunity. In addition, there are different types of recycling. To know better what types of recycling There are and more related information, continues to read ecology.
Recycling benefits
They have always told us to recycle but why? What are the benefits of recycling?
Garbage volume reduction
Well, the first advantage is that the amount of garbage is reduced: managing garbage is a very complicated process at the same time as potentially polluting. Any residue that is not used again must end up incinerated (almost always) and, finally, buried in a landfill. Regularly the garbage is incinerated and the ashes are taken to a final landfill, although the incineration does not occur in all cases.
Whatever the form, The landfills are pollution spotlights: Incineration causes harmful gases that must be properly managed, garbage generates leachate that can contaminate groundwater if they reach them and large amounts of methane, which is generated when organic matter decompose. Methane is a greenhouse gas or gas that turns out to be much worse than the aforementioned CO2 or carbon dioxide. In addition, the territory is always used, which is hardly recoverable (depending, once again, on the management that is done), in addition to the generation of badly annoying bad smells for neighbors and disturbances for local fauna. And without taking into account all the garbage that is deposited in unpleasant spaces, which can generate much larger problems. Recycling helps us avoid this huge amount of garbage.
Raw material extraction is reduced
But not only the amount of garbage is reduced, but, when material is reintroduced as raw material, less extractive activity is necessary. That is, we need less oil farms to generate plastics, less mines for various metals, etc. All extractive activity has an environmental impact, usually high, so when we recycle it. In general, this impact is much less than that generated by recycling facilities and plants (although the latter must not be disagreed). In addition, economic costs are also usually reduced.
Less environmental pollution
Finally, recycling cycles are usually local. Although this is not fulfilled in all cases, there are usually few reserves of raw materials concentrated in a few sites on the planet, while all countries have demand for such raw materials. Recycling, well organized, can help us reduce transport flows between some points and others.
Learn more about what are the benefits of recycling in this other Ecology Verde article.
Types of recycling – classification to recycle
There are several criteria for classify recycling. We will see, then the criteria that define the types of recycling that there are:
Recycling according to material
In this case, it depends basically on the material we want to treat. It is very important to separate the materials well, since the less there are, the better quality will be the raw material resulting from the recycling process.
In this category, we find the following types of recycling according to basic materials:
- Recycling of plastics, cans and bricks.
- Paper and cardboard recycling.
- Glass recycling.
- Recycling of food remains.
- Recycling of non -recyclable objects.
Non -recyclable objects can be susceptible to an valorization process, such as to produce energy using them as fuel (incineration), but cannot be used as raw material. As for the remains of food or organic compounds, depending on the quality of the separation they can be used to manufacture fertilizers or will end up in a landfill.
Recycling according to processes
In this section we address some of the processes that occur during recycling:
- Mechanical recycling: It includes a manual mechanical work (triage) or aided by machinery, such as screening tables or trome. It is widely used to separate the materials, and in the recycling of the plastic.
- Chemical recycling: The decomposition of a polymer is sought in its corresponding monomers to make a new use. It includes hydrolysis, methanolysis, pyrolysis, dissolution … and the important washing processes.
- Energy recycling: Some waste that cannot be used serve as fuel in large ovens such as old tire wheels (when rubber cannot be reused), Orujillo de la Oliva, etc.
Recycling of hazardous and non -hazardous waste
A very important selection and transport criterion is the removal of hazardous waste. Most cannot be reused or recycled, but some can be treated so that their danger is reduced and cause less environmental damage. In this case we talk about paintings, batteries, solvents, dirty rags, oils, gases, contaminated organic waste, etc. In this other post we explain everything about hazardous waste: classification, examples and handling.
Types of recycling containers
The most common recycling containers are as follows (although you should consult with your local authorities, since they can vary from some sites to others depending on management specificities):
- Yellow: containers.
- Blue: paper and cardboard.
- Green: Glass.
- Brown: Organic.
- Gray: Other non -recyclable remains or waste.
In addition to these Recycling containersthere are clean points for the collection of other materials, such as wood, oils, electronic devices and a long etcetera. In Spain we also have the SIGRE points, medication collection, and battery management points.
In this other post of ecology, we tell you what are the types of recycling containers.
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of recyclingwe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.
