recycling

1. RECYCLINGRECYCLING

2. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 RecyclingRecycling – reprocessing solid materials into– reprocessing solid materials into
new, useful productsnew, useful products
 Almost anything is recyclable – but will it be?,Almost anything is recyclable – but will it be?,
cost?, will it be bought and used?cost?, will it be bought and used?
 In homes and workplaces:In homes and workplaces:

PaperPaper

GlassGlass

AluminumAluminum

SteelSteel

Some plasticsSome plastics

3. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 Primary (closed loop) recyclingPrimary (closed loop) recycling – materials– materials
turned into new products of same typeturned into new products of same type

Ex: cans into cansEx: cans into cans
 Secondary recyclingSecondary recycling – materials converted– materials converted
into different productsinto different products

Ex: used tires shredded to make rubberized roadEx: used tires shredded to make rubberized road
surfacesurface

Ex: newspapers made into cellulose insulationEx: newspapers made into cellulose insulation

4. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 Preconsumer (internal) wastePreconsumer (internal) waste – generated– generated
during manufacturing processduring manufacturing process

Over 75% of totalOver 75% of total
 Postconsumer (external) wastePostconsumer (external) waste ––
generated by consumer of productgenerated by consumer of product

5. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 < 25% of MSW is recycled in U.S.< 25% of MSW is recycled in U.S.
 Could be 80%Could be 80%
 Three steps:Three steps:

Collecting materialsCollecting materials

Converting recycled materials to new materialsConverting recycled materials to new materials

Selling and buying of products containingSelling and buying of products containing
recycled materialrecycled material

6. RECYCLING ORGANIC MATERIALRECYCLING ORGANIC MATERIAL
 CompostingComposting – recycling plant nutrients by– recycling plant nutrients by
decomposing biodegradable organic wastedecomposing biodegradable organic waste
from food, yard trimmings, etc.from food, yard trimmings, etc.

Mimics nature – makes humus – fertilizer for soilMimics nature – makes humus – fertilizer for soil

Small scale – back yard for gardenSmall scale – back yard for garden

Large scale – to make fertilizers and mulchLarge scale – to make fertilizers and mulch
• Problems with facilities on Long IslandProblems with facilities on Long Island

7. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 Materials recovery facilityMaterials recovery facility
(MRFs)(MRFs) – plants to separate– plants to separate
recyclables from wastesrecyclables from wastes
 Source separationSource separation – households and– households and
businesses separate recyclables – then soldbusinesses separate recyclables – then sold
as raw materialsas raw materials

Less air and water pollution, cheaper, more jobsLess air and water pollution, cheaper, more jobs

To promote separation of wastes -To promote separation of wastes - pay-as-you-pay-as-you-
throwthrow oror fee-per-bagfee-per-bag waste collection systemswaste collection systems

8. RECYCLING PAPERRECYCLING PAPER
 Recycling paperRecycling paper

Environmental benefits – reduction in air andEnvironmental benefits – reduction in air and
water pollution, energy usage and deforestationwater pollution, energy usage and deforestation

Economic benefitsEconomic benefits

Easy to doEasy to do

72% of U.S. wastepaper recycled72% of U.S. wastepaper recycled

Chlorine needed to bleach paper – pollutionChlorine needed to bleach paper – pollution
Recycled Paper:
How Do They Make That Stuff

9. RECYCLING PLASTICSRECYCLING PLASTICS
 7% recycled in U.S.7% recycled in U.S.
 Chemically and economically difficult:Chemically and economically difficult:

Plastics are hard to isolate from other wastesPlastics are hard to isolate from other wastes

Recovering individual plastic resins does notRecovering individual plastic resins does not
yield much materialyield much material

Cost of virgin plastic resins is lower than recycledCost of virgin plastic resins is lower than recycled
resins due to low fossil fuel costsresins due to low fossil fuel costs

10.  1 and 2 are easiest to recycle1 and 2 are easiest to recycle
 PET can be made into fleece, polyester,PET can be made into fleece, polyester,
carpets, car parts, nonfood packagingcarpets, car parts, nonfood packaging

11. RECYCLING PLASTICSRECYCLING PLASTICS
 New technologies are making plasticsNew technologies are making plastics
biodegradable – from corn and wheatbiodegradable – from corn and wheat
How Plastic Bottles Are
Recycled Into Polyester
How Stuff Works: Corn Pla

12. RECYCLINGRECYCLING
 Does recycling make economic sense?Does recycling make economic sense?
 No – for some materials it costs more thanNo – for some materials it costs more than
new, plenty of landfill spacenew, plenty of landfill space
 Yes – costs do not reflect harmfulYes – costs do not reflect harmful
environmental impacts, few governmentenvironmental impacts, few government
subsidies and tax breaks that resourcessubsidies and tax breaks that resources
extracting industries get, price fluctuations,extracting industries get, price fluctuations,
jobsjobs