Recycling makes an enormous difference in the world, and SwagCycle wants to ensure that everyone is aware of the impact our daily decisions can have on the future of our planet. That's why we rounded up some facts about recycling that might shock you - and it’s imperative that you take them seriously. From waste living initiatives to increasing urbanization impacts on landfills, here are five revelations from SwagCycle about what recycling really means and how crucial it is for sustaining a healthy world. Visit: https://www.swagcycle.net/

1. 5 Surprising Facts
About Recycling That
You Need to Know,
Courtesy of SwagCycle

2. The average American generates almost five pounds of waste per day, adding up to
almost 300 million tons of waste produced nationally each year. Recycling plays a
significant role in limiting the amount of this waste that gets sent to landfills and
incinerators and recovers valuable materials for transformation into new products.
Recycling is a complex system controlled by global materials markets, local
regulations, and consumer behavior. Consumers play a critical role in whether and
how materials are recycled, but understanding how to properly recycle in your city
or town can be complicated.
Read on to learn 5 surprising facts that you may not have known about recycling
and tips for recycling right.

3. “Reduce, reuse, and recycle” is a phrase we learn at a young age, but
when it comes to the 3 Rs, recycling is actually the least
environmentally preferable option. While recycling generally uses
much less energy and fewer resources than manufacturing products
from virgin materials, preventing waste from being created to begin
with through waste reduction, reuse, and refusing unnecessary
consumption and packaging are the best options. Check out our top
five reuse tips for combating climate change.
Recycling is the least preferred option of the 3 Rs.
1.

4. The list of materials accepted in your curbside recycling bin depends on who
picks up your waste (your town or hauler) and what technologies are used at
the processing facility the materials are transported to. Check your town or
city’s website for information on what materials are accepted in your curbside
program.
2. Where you live determines what materials you can recycle
curbside
recycling

5. When items that are not accepted in a recycling program are placed into
recycling bins, they are considered “contaminants.” Recycling contamination
can cause issues with the recycling process and cost cities money. When there
is too much contamination in a load of recycling, the entire load can be at risk
of being non-viable and being sent to a landfill or incinerator. Some of the
most common mis-recycled items include “tanglers” like plastic bags, garden
hoses, and holiday lights.
3. Cities struggle with recycling contamination

6. Global policies have impacted recycling markets, and many are
now questioning recycling’s future as a viable management
option for some materials
China has been the world’s biggest importer of waste for decades. In 2018, to
improve environmental conditions, China banned the import of many types of
solid waste and set strict contamination limits on imports of recyclable
materials through its “National Sword” policy.

7. The small number with the chasing arrows on the bottom of a plastic
container is the resin identification code, which tells you what type of plastic
the item is. Even if an item has a recycling code, it may not necessarily be
accepted in your curbside recycling program, depending on whether the
recycling facility your materials go to is equipped to process that particular
material.
The numbers on plastics don’t necessarily mean they are
recyclable.

8. Contact Us:
Address: 30 Cobble Hill Road, Somerville, MA 02143
Call Us: 617-843-5436
Email: info@swagcycle.net