Eco Friendly Products are Recycled and Recyclable
In the last of my series on “what makes a genuinely green or eco friendly product”, I look at the last option in the eco friendly mantra, Recycle.
Hopefully you have already:
Reduced your purchases of new things (and avoided disposable, single-use items),
Reduced the amount of packaging,
Reduced the amount of chemical ingredients for improved health, and
Re-used items either by buying non-new or by re-purposing things you would otherwise throw away.
End of Life
Now, once an item reaches the end of its life, it’s time to get rid of it.
Your choices are:
- Throw it away (into the garbage or rubbish), from where it will be transported to landfill
- Compost it (if it is suitable material)
- Recycle it so that it will avoid landfill and be utilized again.
Is it Eco Friendly?
Eco friendly products are:
- Made from recycled goods – the percentage should be stated, and the higher the better
- Able to be recycled.
Tip: Sometimes, products mention a percentage of post-consumer waste. This means “stuff that’s been thrown away” such as old newspapers, clothes, books, packaging, used batteries, electronics and so on. (Pre-consumer waste is manufacturing scrap (e.g. paper trimmings, defective products from the production line) which is re-introduced back into the process. Officially, this is not recycling, but many companies call it so). As long as it doesn’t go into landfill, I don’t care!
Is it always worth it?
Sometimes, it is more expensive for companies to recycle goods than to make new ones. But that only looks at the costs of the actual work involved, and doesn’t add the environmental costs of depleting our resources.
Our current practices of stripping resources away (taking the tops off mountains, sucking oil out from the ground) without replenishing, are not sustainable. They are good for short-term gain, but much is lost in the process.
By comparison, farming organically and working with the soil so it can replenish itself and grow more bountiful crops, is sustainable long term, and healthier for us too.
So I believe it’s worthwhile recycling – as long as it’s the last, not the first part of Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle.
What Can You Recycle, Where?
Most people in most countries are able to recycle most things.
Many areas have kerb-side pickups, which make it really easy. You’ll probably need to sort / separate first.
If you don’t have a pick-up service, then you can take your recyclables to a recycling centre.
Glass, paper, plastic and many metals can be recycled.
Resources
Here are some useful resources
What can you Recycle in YOUR area?
You might have noticed little numbers on plastic bottles? Here’s what they mean.
How to Recycle Brita filters
How to Recycle batteries
Recycling Problems
[…] Original post: Eco Friendly Products Recycle […]
You mentioned composting, what all can you compost, how long does it usually take? Seems like a very efficient way to recycle.
Thanks for more great information!
Mark Hogan
Hi Mark, thanks for the query, yes, composting is great! Less to landfill, free compost for your garden…..what’s not to love? See http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/composting.php for a really simple-to-set-up compost heap.
Hi Clare,
I had heard many times that it is more expensive sometimes to make things from recycled material that to make them totally new. Thanks for clarifying that is because it only looks at the costs of the actual work involved, and not to the environmental costs of depleting the Earth’s resources.
Like Eva stated, I, too, have heard that it costs more to recycle, however, I appreciate how you clarified that we are not looking for short-term gain and we need to look at things in the long run. Keep up the great work!
Stay Amazing, Neil
Clare,
It was good that you provided the information about numbers on plastic bottles. I never knew what those nombers meant. I am more conscious about recycling and reusing since I’ve started reading your posts. You make a difference.
In Costa Rica, a truck comes down your street once a month and makes an announcement over a bull horn. Then everyone runs out and sells their recyclables, from metal to plastic, to the guy in the truck.Seems to work.
Sonya Lenzo
The information you provide is very helpful.
Is there a general source to consult when one is not sure of status? That is, I just had to purchase and install a new Wireless Router … I asked the vendor how I should dispose of the old one … did it have PCBs, were parts reuseable / recycleable.
He looked at me – blank stare – and said “just throw it in the dumpster”.
Somehow I do not think he was up-to-date (I noticed he was a mouth-breather.)
So, back to my question … is there an authoritarin source for such information.
Thanks
Lyle
Lyle, probably the easiest way is just to google “recycle old routers” – you’ll find Freecycle for example, or suggestions on how to find new uses for old routers, and lists of companies who accept old routers – there are lots of options (apart from the dumpster!) that you can choose from. Thanks for asking and not just tossing it out!
Plastic bottle list is useful. I have one steel throw across the room and it wont break or spill mug for my warm cold drinks, and A BPA free water jug #1…
Well I try.
I also notice that in the supermarkets where you are supposed to be able to get clean filtered water from the machines…the 1 gal 3 gal and 5 gal jugs they have for sale right beside them are always made of the worst possible plastic. Crazy. I try to tell them and laugh about it… I mean it seems if people are conscious about getting pure water they are likely also looking at the container. but they don’t seem to care!
Heck they even Sell NESTLE bottled water “For Babies” fortified with Flouride. Flouride made the MSDS sheet and you Can’t give it to babies.
Crazy World!
Already started to take a “greener” point of view around my home.
Thanks for the advice.
Be Well.
Jc
I feel very fortunate that we have recycle pickup at our house every week. I grew up with a father who recycled everything so I have been very aware since I was a kid.
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
I had no idea that you could recycle Brita filters. Thank you for the heads up.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
you are inspriring! We recycle and I have to say the schools are doing such a great job educating our kids…they’re better at it than we are. But that’s where you come in!
Jennifer Battaglino
Great info, as always. I really want to start composting. Do you know of a good resource to get me started?
Thanks!
Cherie Miranda
Of course! See http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/composting.php for a really simple-to-set-up compost heap. You can also buy containers (mostly plastic), the DIY option is the most fun, it’s easy (I like easy) and it costs almost nothing. If you want your heap to be organic, just make sure that everything going into it is organic. It’s perfect – and necessary – for organic gardening. You can now buy worms, but I haven’t done that yet.
I
It’s always worth it to be responsible for all our actions – although it very well may cost more $.
Thanks for the always useful information. My apartment doesn’t have a recycling program but after a little research I was able to find a center down the road to take my stuff!
I’m an avid recycler but am shocked that there is so much packaging materials still used today that is not biodegradable.
Peter Tamosaitis
Yes, I agree! Of course making things biodegradable often uses more resources during the manufacturing process, so it’s not the ‘be-all-and-end-all’ solution. Nonetheless as you say, all too few manufacturers consider the lifespan of their products and packaging from cradle to grave, and that’s a great pity. Consumers need to be more aware too, and vote for well-thought-out products with their wallets. Great design can often result in cost savings too.
[…] is a company which, well, recycles things. The great part is that they’ve set up incentives – the more people recycle, the more […]