There is a significant problem confronting the recycling center in New Jersey, and it is “recycling contamination.” In case you’re wondering what we mean by “recycling contamination,” it is when people put the wrong or incorrect item in the recyclable bin. It also means when the right or ideal materials/items are prepared the wrong way.
If you are collecting a particular material or item for recycling, any other item or material added to the list could be regarded as a contaminant.
These include bubble wrap, shrink wrap, newspaper bags, Ziploc bags, trash bags and other items made from plastic materials, including thin plastic, are the worst of all recycling contaminants.
This refers to recyclables that hold more than 8% of the food residue they once carried.
One item that reduces the value of recycling at the recycling center in New Jersey is brightly colored paper. They have the potential to contaminate and spoil and the whole badge of proper paper recycling. However, colored papers that have white in the center when torn can be recycled.
Items containing human fluids such as syringes, diapers, needles, and such other sanitary products are not recyclable and should be avoided because they are dangerous to handle.
There are waste oils from trucks, motorcycles, and cars’ engines which in turn lead to environmental problems. It leads to the pollution of water which has a far-reaching effect on wildlife, humans and sea life. The waste oil is re-processed into heating oil which is highly valuable, and which will eventually keep our waterways clean.
Recycling contamination has severe consequences for the value of recyclable products. Below are some reasons why it is crucial to fighting against contamination.
Keep in touch with your provider to learn what is needed and what is not needed. Effective communication goes a long way to resolving most of the problems inherent in recycling collections.
You can easily prevent most contaminants by labeling each recyclable container with a tag indicating what can be recycled and what cannot be recycled. This will make it easier for sorting.
It is people, not machines, that do the sorting of the materials you are recycling. If they are not around to do it, these materials will become trash. So you too can help them and make their work more accessible by keeping your recyclable items as clean as a dollar bill.
Do you have any recyclable items you want to recycle? Call us at All County Recycling and will tell you what to do and help bring your materials to the recycling center in New Jersey. We are looking forward to meeting.
