Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
It is easy to forget about the trash that is picked up from your house. What we tend to forget is every piece of waste generated ends up at the landfill.
Over 3,000 tons of garbage is buried in the Salt Lake Valley Landfill every day. In 50 years our landfill will be at capacity. There is not another site for a landfill in Salt Lake County.
Waste that can be recycled should be separated out, so it can be made into something new, not buried wasting valuable energy and landfill space. Every person can and should make a difference by recycling!
It is easy to forget about the trash that is picked up from your house. What we tend to forget is every piece of waste generated ends up at the landfill.
Over 3,000 tons of garbage is buried in the Salt Lake Valley Landfill every day. In 50 years our landfill will be at capacity. There is not another site for a landfill in Salt Lake County.
Waste that can be recycled should be separated out, so it can be made into something new, not buried wasting valuable energy and landfill space. Every person can and should make a difference by recycling!
Helpful hints in preparing your recyclables
No need to remove staples from paper.
Why? Magnets remove staples during recycling process.
Rinse out food containers.
Why? Food causes contamination and can cause unsanitary condition and odors.
No need to remove labels from cans and bottles.
Why? Labels are removed during the recycling process.
Remove tape from cardboard boxes.
Why? Tape can not be recycled and causes contamination.
Break down boxes.
Why? Saves space.
Separate colored glass– take to drop-off location.
Why? Brown glass does not recycle at the same rate as other glass that is made into products such as fiberglass insulation. However it is recycled into new glass and other recycled products.
Avoid placing recyclables in bags.
Why? Loose material is easier to separate at processing facility.
Look for the recycling symbol on or near the bottom of the plastic container
plastic #1 - pop bottles, water bottles, etc.
plastic #2 - milk jugs, etc.
No need to remove staples from paper.
Why? Magnets remove staples during recycling process.
Rinse out food containers.
Why? Food causes contamination and can cause unsanitary condition and odors.
No need to remove labels from cans and bottles.
Why? Labels are removed during the recycling process.
Remove tape from cardboard boxes.
Why? Tape can not be recycled and causes contamination.
Break down boxes.
Why? Saves space.
Separate colored glass– take to drop-off location.
Why? Brown glass does not recycle at the same rate as other glass that is made into products such as fiberglass insulation. However it is recycled into new glass and other recycled products.
Avoid placing recyclables in bags.
Why? Loose material is easier to separate at processing facility.
Look for the recycling symbol on or near the bottom of the plastic container
plastic #1 - pop bottles, water bottles, etc.
plastic #2 - milk jugs, etc.
RECYCLING IS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
Positive effects on our Natural Resources
By making the products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we reduce the need to cut down trees, drill for oil, and dig for minerals.
Saves Landfill Space
When the materials that you recycle are made into new products, they don’t go into landfills or incinerators, so scarce landfill space is conserved.
Conservation of valuable Energy
It usually takes less energy to make recycled products: for example, it takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to make it from bauxite ore.
Keeps Air, Water and Soil clean
In most cases, making products from recycled material creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.
It is OUR Environment
By recycling, we can feel good about helping to protect our Earth for future generations.
Positive effects on our Natural Resources
By making the products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we reduce the need to cut down trees, drill for oil, and dig for minerals.
Saves Landfill Space
When the materials that you recycle are made into new products, they don’t go into landfills or incinerators, so scarce landfill space is conserved.
Conservation of valuable Energy
It usually takes less energy to make recycled products: for example, it takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to make it from bauxite ore.
Keeps Air, Water and Soil clean
In most cases, making products from recycled material creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.
It is OUR Environment
By recycling, we can feel good about helping to protect our Earth for future generations.
TRASH APPROX. TIME TO DECAY
Aluminum can
Cigarette butts
Dead Animal
Diapers
Fishing Line
Glass bottle
Milk cartons
Painted wood
Paper
Plastic bag
Plastic bottle
Plastic 6-pack rings
Plywood
Rope
Styrofoam cup
Tin can
Cigarette butts
Dead Animal
Diapers
Fishing Line
Glass bottle
Milk cartons
Painted wood
Paper
Plastic bag
Plastic bottle
Plastic 6-pack rings
Plywood
Rope
Styrofoam cup
Tin can
200-500 years
40 years
Less than 1 year
200 years
600 years
1 million years
5 years
13 years
1-5 months
10 – 50 years
50 - 80 years
500 years
1-3 years
3 - 24 months
500 years
50 - 100 years
40 years
Less than 1 year
200 years
600 years
1 million years
5 years
13 years
1-5 months
10 – 50 years
50 - 80 years
500 years
1-3 years
3 - 24 months
500 years
50 - 100 years
