There are still many people who feel that recycling is not an important matter, despite all the protests and summits to bring about a change in the climate change crisis such as COP26 which is hosted by the UK in Glasgow this November.

Here are some quick facts that will make you think twice about the importance of recycling your household rubbish for this planet.

• Fact #1: If all the aluminum cans were recycled in the United Kingdom, there will be a reduction in the number of dustbins by around 14 million.
• Fact #2: Every year, 275,000 tonnes of plastic and around 15 million bottles per day are used in the UK. Even though glass takes 4000 years to decompose, it is 100% recyclable and can be used again and again.
• Fact #3: A recycled tin saves up a lot of energy, which would be enough to run a TV for about three hours. Recycled glass saves up energy that would be enough to run a computer for half an hour. Also, a recycled plastic bottle saves up energy that could power a 60-watt lightbulb for three hours.
• Fact #4: Recycling 10,000 tonnes of waste would decrease the lack of employment. If you are burning waste, it would only provide 6 jobs, but if you recycle it, it will create 36 jobs at the recycling plant.
• Fact #5: An average person generates rubbish worth their body weight every 7 weeks, so considering the whole year, it would be 7 times that person’s body weight.

Separating And Storing Waste

While separating waste materials, you should divide them into different types of junk such as paper and cardboard, plastics, metals, etc. for storage, transport, and recycling. While recycling these materials, you should make sure that they are in sealed, labeled containers.

You should check if you require special permission or exemptions while sending your waste for disposal or recycling, but a trusted same-day rubbish removal company will have it. For Service Contact – 020 8099 9819

From start to end, you are responsible for the waste that you produce. You should take action if you feel that your waste is not being recycled or disposed of properly. You must segregate, store, and transport your waste in such a way that it does not harm you or the people surrounding you. The waste is to be handled and transported by people who have the right to do the same.

It is important to have a waste journal. Writing the things that you have transferred is essential as it helps you to analyze and reduce waste.

 

Check If You Have Hazardous/Special Waste

Special wastes are those which can be harmful to both human health and the environment. The UK government has strict laws for recycling these hazardous substances. Hazardous waste normally comes from either e-waste or health-related and medical items.

Examples of this hazardous waste include:

• Fluorescent light tubes and energy-saving light bulbs.
• Solvents such as aerosols
• chemicals, e.g., brake fluid, and printer toner
• Oils (except edible oils). For e.g., engine oil.
• Asbestos
• Vehicle batteries and other lead-acid batteries
• Pesticides
• Electrical equipment with potentially harmful components such as cathode ray tubes. For e.g., computer monitors and televisions.
• Refrigerators containing CFCs

Prevent Pollution During Storage And Transport

Take steps to prevent pollution by controlling:

• Leaks from waste processing machinery, for example, hydraulic oils from waste compactors.
• Wind-blown litter
• Waste escaping during transport
• Leaks from storage containers and tanks

Storing certain items can contaminate your surroundings. Once this happens, you will have to pay the clean-up costs. This goes for leaked batteries, poorly handled fluorescent tubes, printer toners, and other items. So be sure to get such polluting junk removed quickly.

Storing & Managing Waste

Waste should be stored in areas where it won’t contaminate the surroundings, and it should be isolated from the surface water draining system. It is better if you color-code your waste: red for hazardous waste and green for glass for example.

Make sure you have segregated the hazardous waste.

Compacting Waste

Use a baler or compactor to crush material into blocks or bales. This is useful for larger amounts and can help you to transport large volumes in just one go! This will help in saving a lot of money.

If you do compact your waste, keep the following in mind:

• All the waste containers should be cleaned and drained, e.g., drums, plastic bottles, and cartons.
• The papers and cards should be dried. This is to prevent pollution run-off from the compactor.
• To prevent pollution, you should separate the area around the compactor from the surface water drains.

For using both the baler or compactor machines, you should get permission from the waste management authorities. For getting more information, contact the environmental regulator.

The three most common types of recyclable plastic are:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

So, make sure to check if they can be sent off for recycling.

Every step is useful for making the world a better place to live for the next generation. So, after reading this, make sure you segregate your waste and teach those around you who don’t do the same.