THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING… PLASTIC
Our planet is in danger. In simple terms, many threaten it and no one protects it. Plastic, after years of negligence, has become its biggest enemy.
It’s time to act.
Recycling plastic must become a priority. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it makes economic sense too! Americans generated an estimated £558.6 million in recycled plastic bottles in 2014 alone. We, too, should follow their example.
To do so, the KwikSweep family has compiled a list of tips to recycle plastic.
- Start from… plastic bottles!
Think simple. Every single plastic bottle, meaning a container with a neck smaller than its body, can and should go in the recycling bin.
Our cousins across the pond do this well. Americans recycled more kilograms of plastic bottles in 2014 than ever and reached a recycling rate of nearly 32%. We too should do this well!
- Do not forget caps and lids!
Recyclers want and need your plastic bottle caps and container lids. Twist on the bottle caps before tossing them in the bin to make it easier for recyclers to do their job.
Bottle caps are quite unique. They are usually made from polypropylene plastic, which can be recycled into auto parts, bike racks, storage bins, shipping pallets, and more.
- Buy bins. Now.
Think about it. There are recyclable plastics in your bathroom (bottles and containers for shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, body wash, mouthwash), laundry area (detergent and cleaning products), and garage (auto and gardening products).
So… place small bins in various rooms! This can make it easier to recycle everything you can.
- Buy recycled products!
You should also look for products made with recycled plastics to prevent this valuable material from going to waste.
For example, long lasting decking can be made with plastic bags … food storage containers and kitchen tools can be made with yogurt cups … and patio furniture can be made with milk jugs.
Even soft durable fabrics for stylish clothing can be made with used beverage bottles.
- Never neglect the facts!
Our lack of knowledge around recycling affects our ability to recycle! Here are a few facts we should always keep in mind when throwing plastic away.
- 100,000 marine creatures a year die from plastic entanglement and these are the ones found.
- Approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic.
- It can take anything between 20-1000 years for a plastic bag to break up. I mean break up as they break up into smaller pieces. They don’t break down and those that do, break down into polymers and toxic chemicals.
- Scientists have identified 200 areas declared as ‘dead zones’ where no life organisms can now grow.
- 50 percent of the plastic we use, we use just once and throw away.
