Many remain unconvinced that taking the effort to recycle trash really makes a difference. There continues to be information out there that nothing actually gets recycled. This is far from the truth.
Lansdowne offers a recycling program that is quite comprehensive. With absolute certainty, all the metal and aluminum gets recycled into other useful products. In the marketplace, the prices do vary for paper and cardboard, but overall the need for recycled paper and cardboard is quite high at all times. All glass collected is pulverized and used as protective layers in landfills. Plastics are a different story, in that there are so many different chemicals that go into making plastics, that the market for some recycled plastic products is quite variable.
Recycling all #1 and #2 plastic bottles is worth it because they will be recycled into other bottles and containers. The program that Lansdowne has with its materials handler Republic Inc., also accepts #5 plastics, which by and large get recycled into something else useful. Look for the recycling triangle on plastic water bottles and other containers such as shampoo and cleaning products.
In any recycling program, it is critical that residents put out material that can be recycled with current technology. Several Lansdowne residents have taken a tour of the Republic MRF (Materials Recovery Facility). The tour guide emphasized how critical it is to NEVER PUT RECYCLABLES IN PLASTIC BAGS. Republic does not open plastic bags and the entire bag immediately gets tossed to the floor and sent to their landfill. If anything is too dirty, it also is directed to a landfill. Therefore at least rinse lightly most materials and watch for grease on cardboard; no pizza box with grease on it will get recycled.
Republic strives to find markets for other products that can be recycled. The technology in the industry is constantly evolving and it is critical to recycle our stuff, because, as is the case with plastic, it is reported by the EPA that soon there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish!!
Recycling helps nature survive and reducing consumption is even better.
The tour of the Republic facility was very eye-opening as evidenced by the 10 foot cubed baled pallets of recycled cans, paper, cardboard and plastic set for shipping to be recycled it into something useful. If you wish to participate in a future tour, please click HERE.