According to research conducted by Stanford University, only about 60% to 80% of all eligible garbage is actually recycled. Why, though? Recycling is the process by which certain reusable materials are sorted from general garbage, reduced to their basic components, and then re-manufactured into a new product thus preventing unnecessary waste.

Recycling is important because many of the materials that can be re-purposed through this process would otherwise become dangerous contaminants if they were left to slowly decompose in a landfill. Certain plastics, for instance, can poison ground water resources if left untreated and exposed in the local waste dump, and other recyclables like paper and cardboard can degrade and obstruct ditches, drains, and other public utility resources. But how do waste management companies help fight these problems?

By Efficiently Streamlining the Recycling Process

Waste management companies often provide a system by which different kinds of recyclables can be stored, sorted, and picked up. Many waste management companies provide their constituents with different, distinct, recycling receptacles that make sorting potentially conflicting materials much easier. This is particularly important, as it is the primary cause for the problems outlined in the Stanford Study referenced above.

Certain kinds of materials cannot be easily recycled when they are mixed with other recyclable substances. Broken glass is a good example of this issue. Most types of glass can be recycled, and most types of paper can be recycled. But if paper is stored with used (often shattered) glass products, the paper can become so contaminated with tiny, minute, shards of glass that it cannot be properly deconstructed and reformed. In short, waste management companies like Green Bins provide a system that easily minimizes these issues.

By Making Recycling Easier on You

Most waste management companies also provide incentives to recycle like paying small amounts of money for the collection of certain valuable materials like tin from cans or copper from industrial goods. In this way, waste management companies can give participants an immediate reward for helping with the environment.

Many such companies will also rent dumpsters out for private use. These dumpster renting companies help in waste management by providing small businesses a more eco-friendly way of disposing of their trash, sorting their recyclables, and storing environmentally corrosive substances like old paint and kitchen grease.

Practical Environmental Responsibility

By organizing recycling systems, giving incentives for community participation, and providing customers with things like for-rent dumpsters, waste management companies play a crucial role in local environmental health and safety efforts. If you’re about to begin a big project, or you just want more information on how you can help, contact a local recycling or waste management organization today.