Recycling seems simple, at least in theory, and has countless advantages for both the planet and our health. So why at this point are we still unclear about what goes into each recycling container?
To change the world, good intentions must go hand in hand with small gestures such as turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or placing empty soda cans in the yellow container rather than the trash.
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Do we know how to recycle correctly?
The habit of recycling waste continued to grow over the last year. In 2021, almost 1.6 million tons of household packaging including plastic, Tetra Briks, metal, paper and cardboard were delivered for recycling, according to Ecoembes.
By recycling, we prevent products and materials from turning into waste by transforming them into completely new ones. This extends the product’s useful life and preserves the planet’s natural resources.
But despite the fact that we’ve been recycling for years and that we’re increasingly aware of its importance, we still have doubts about which products go in the different containers. Because of this, many of them end up in the wrong container.
For example, do you know which one of these goes in the yellow container: a deodorant bottle or a plastic toy?
What goes in each recycling bin
IMPORTANT: There are special containers for clothing and footwear but they can also be deposited at the clean points, as can cooking oil (in closed containers) and batteries.
Other waste that must be taken to the clean point are leftover paint, thermometers, printer toner, CDs, DVDs, batteries and tires.
Expired or leftover medicines and empty containers should be deposited in the SIGRE containers that can be found at all pharmacies.
Why is it important to recycle?
Did you know that recycling six cans or Tetra Briks counteracts 10 minutes of exhaust pipe emissions? Recycling is important because it helps us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saves on raw materials, energy and water. It also creates jobs.
According to Ecoembres, recycling saved 1.67 million tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere in 2020, which is equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted by the heating systems of a population of 800,000 in one year. 20.29 million m3 of water and 6.37 million Mwh of energy were also saved.
If we did not recycle in our daily lives the consequences would be catastrophic:
- Increased pollution.
- Waste accumulation. According to a 2018 report by the Environmental Protection Agency, people produce more than 260 million tons of solid waste. Were it not for recycling, landfills would already be full. Can you imagine a life surrounded by garbage?
- Total deforestation to satisfy the demand for paper that would destroy entire forests and the habitats of millions of wildlife species
- Fossil fuel depletion. It is estimated that the reserves will be fully depleted by 2050. This is because companies use these fuels to manufacture nylon and plastic. If we don’t recycle these products, this energy source will disappear completely.
- Ocean pollution. Plastics that end up in the ocean endanger the lives of ocean dwellers such as sea turtles and fish. They can die from inhaling small pieces of plastic or getting caught in loose plastic.
Top tips for recycling correctly
- Before you buy something, ask yourself if you need it.
- Reduce packaging and the use of throw-away products. Choose products sold in bulk, for example.
- Choose recycled products.
- Choose more environmentally friendly materials with a longer shelf life.
- Reuse textiles before discarding them. Turn them into rags, reuse them for handicrafts, etc.
- Repair objects whenever possible.
- Be sure to dispose of waste in the appropriate container.
Can you think of any others we can add to the list?
At Bosquia we are strongly committed to recycling and the environment. So this article, while written with the aim of clearing up doubts about which items go in which containers, is also intended to encourage individuals, companies and organizations to get involved with the environment. How? By planting indigenous trees that help us to offset our C02 footprint.
Our gifts and souvenirs made from recycled and recyclable materials serve a physical reminder to participants of the gift they’ve given the environment. Would you like to take a look at our gifts and souvenirs?
