Recycling! What is it? Where does it go?

Recycling is a means to take something we don't need anymore to make it into something else (or the same thing over again). They call that a "closed loop" system. Generally, it takes less material, less energy, and less resources to "close the loop" than to create something new with new resources, new manufacturing, and new processes. University of Cambridge did a very extensive study on how much less energy it takes to remanufacture versus create. They started with Aluminium, figured in transportation and processing, and finished off with plastic bottles. A different study by the Technical University of Denmark looked at 55 products and compared trashing versus recycling and found that more than 80% of the time, it was more worthwhile to recycle. According to their study, it took 95% less energy to recycle aluminium versus making it from scratch, 70% for plastics, and 40% for paper. For batteries, it seems as if it takes only 36% of the energy required to reclaim lead than from primary production.

Now that we know it's beneficial to recycle, let's see what can be recycled:

• Batteries (yes, even the AAs)
• Plastics (check your local waste management on types they collect)
• Paper (as long as it's not greasy with food)
• Metals (yes, even Hershey Kiss wrappers can be recycled!)
• Electronics (from cell phones to stereos - all are valuable)
  VoIP-News put together 50 ways to recycle your cell-phones alone!
• Appliances (you'd be amazed as to all the useful parts in there!)

Cambridge Department of Public Works recycling gives a great overview of what happens to your recycling in Boston from the front door to what it becomes.

Various links for recycling information

Metals - Aluminium and steel recycling - overview and benefits of recycling these (UK)