THE CHALLENGE OF RECYCLING PLASTIC WHY IT’S HARD — AND HOW YOU CAN BE BETTER AT IT!
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Many of us recycle because we believe in the idea. With so much plastic waste ending up in oceans, rivers, and the side of the road, we want to do our part to make the world a little less polluted. So, why is it that plastic recycling seems so complicated? Plastic recycling varies greatly from city to city. Some cities have more comprehensive plastic recycling programs, while others don’t. But no matter the city, most plastic we intend for recycling is not recycled at all — it ends up in a landfill. Part of the reason is that it’s being sorted incorrectly. The other reason is simply ludicrous: Most plastic was never intended to be recycled in the first place — and it’s cheaper for companies to use brand-new plastic than it is to use recycled varieties. Another major problem is the fact that there are several types of plastic on the market, which makes recycling a complicated prospect. Most plastics cannot be recycled together, as their chemical composition varies just enough. If the wrong types of plastics are recycled together, the result is unusable. It’s just too degraded.
5 THINGS TO KEEP AWAY FROM YOUR DRAIN
When it comes to your kitchen or bathroom sink, the only thing that should be flowing down the drain is water. Of course, in the average household, you can call that a pipe dream (literally). So much gets rinsed down our drains, it’s no wonder plumbers are in such high demand! However, there are a few things you should never want to wash down the drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Not only can you end up with clogged or damaged pipes, but you’ll also have to deal with unpleasant, lingering odors. Fats This is one of the worst substances you can send into your home’s plumbing system. Once fat — such as bacon grease — hits the cold pipes under and around your house, it starts to congeal, becoming hard and waxy. Over time, fat will build up in the pipes, resulting in major blockage. High-Fiber Foods Certain foods like asparagus, carrots, celery, corn husks, and potato peels can spell trouble for your drain and disposal. Fibrous strands can get caught in the grinding plate of the disposal, which then build up and cause clogs. Additionally, high-fiber foods don’t wash away well, as fibrous strands can tangle and clump together in pipes. Seeds Seeds can cause serious problems. Large seeds (peach pits) aren’t going to go anywhere and may end up damaging your disposal or getting caught in your pipes. Smaller seeds aren’t much better and can be a challenge for the disposal if they become lodged in the grinding plate and pipe bends. Starches Foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice are heavy and absorb water. Because of this, they can become a thick mess inside your drainage system, much like fat. They can settle and accumulate, leading to, you guessed it, a clogged drain. Paper Paper towels, tissues, and napkins cause problems due to their fibrous makeup. The only type of paper that can safely be put down the drain (or flushed, in this case) is toilet paper. It’s specifically designed to disintegrate in water. And those popular “flushable” wipes should never be put down a drain; despite their advertising, they are not flushable and can do serious damage as they accumulate.
Most plastic is imprinted with a small number inside of a triangle — typically 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. This is not an official symbol that says the plastic is recyclable. It only tells you what type of plastic it is. In some communities, plastics labeled “1” and “2” can be recycled together. Sometimes, plastics labeled “4” and “5” have to be separated to be recycled. Some communities cannot even process certain types of plastic, and those will end up in the landfill no matter what. So, what can you do to be a better recycler? Make sure you’re recycling according to your community’s guidelines. Check your local waste department website for details on what types of plastic they can and cannot process. Alternatively, reduce the amount of single-use or limited-use plastic you use. Instead, use glass products when possible. Glass products last much longer than plastic, they’re better for the environment, they’re healthier — and they’re infinitely recyclable!
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