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Facts on Methods of Recycling

Recycling is not a complicated concept. It involves making something new from something old. There are many ways to aid this process, whether it is by generic curbside recycling or more alternative forms, such as composting and incinerating.

  1. What Is Recycling?

    • Recycling is the process of manufacturing new products from a used product. If you have a material that you want to recycle, determine local recycling requirements. Some places may not accept all types of recyclables, so verify that it s indeed recyclable. To do so, inspect all materials for the recycling symbol. The symbol consists of three arrows that form three sides of a triangle.

    Curbside Recycling Collection Programs

    • Across the United States, many cities have curbside recycling collection programs, which prove the most convenient means for household recycling. Dual-Stream recycling is the most popular curbside form in which containers go into one bin and paper go into another bin. Consult with a local recycling jurisdiction to learn about any special requirements, such as: what materials are accepted; how the materials must be cleaned and sorted; and, what bins should be used for depositing.

    Composting

    • Composting creates nutrients and material called Humus, which regenerates poor soils but also remediates contaminated soil. Composting involves mixing yard and household waste into a pile or bin and providing conditions to encourage decomposition. The three types of composting are backyard, worm and grasscycling. For more information on how to compost recycle, see "Recycle Works: Compost" in Resources.

    Incineration Recycling

    • Incineration is a recycling method in which solid organic wastes are converted into residue and gaseous products through combustion. This process reduces waste to 20 to 30 percent of the original volume. Waste-to-energy (WtE) or energy-from-waste (EfW) are general terms for facilities that burn waste to generate heat, steam or electricity.

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