Environment Support

Types of Recyclable and Non-recyclable Materials

Approximately 75% of American waste can be recycled. The U.S. collects tons of recyclables via curbside collections everyday, after which a sorting process is used to separate the parts, components or materials that are recyclable. However, materials that degrade drastically or are consumed when initially used cannot be recycled.

Sometimes recycling efforts are stopped when the process becomes too expensive rather than because some materials cannot be broken down and recycled. Electronics like computers and cell phones need to be taken apart and sorted. Coated plastics and laminated packaging are not recycled because it's too complex a process. Bottles and containers contaminated with toxic substances are often rejected. Medical waste, Styrofoam, ceramics and heavily inked paper are also some examples of non-recyclables.

So what exactly can be recycled?

Aluminum recycling is a favorite because aluminum does not lose its metallic properties. Recycled aluminum can be stored as raw aluminum, which can be processed into something else. In fact, aluminum cans are 100% recyclable… indefinitely! Steel is also highly recyclable because steel can be reused for many things. Once molten, steel can be reshaped into a multitude of products.

Plastics are also popular recyclables, but require some manual or automated sorting. Not all plastics can be recycled the same way, and you can't mix them up during the process. Recycled plastics end up as bottles, toys, household items, car parts, etc. Like plastic, rubber is also recyclable, but rubber does not present the same flexibility for recycling the way plastic does. Rubber also tends to downgrade when recycled.

Concrete can also be recycled. Concrete aggregate collected from demolition sites is crushed by a machine using rocks, asphalt, bricks, and dirt. Crushed concrete can be used as gravel for new construction projects, which reduces the need to mine for gravel, in turn saving habitats and trees.

Batteries, paint and oil are some examples of chemicals and products with chemical content can be recycled. Recycling chemicals requires more expert techniques.

Paper recycling saves trees from being cut down for paper production. Recycled paper is usually mixed with virgin wood pulp. Typically, paper is sorted in its different types (newspaper, cardboard, etc.) before it is recycled. Gift wrap paper cannot be recycled. Neither can paper coated with plastic or aluminum foil, or those that have paste, wax or gum or certain adhesives.

Automotive recycling is one of the largest recycling type industries in the U.S. over 75% of material from cars being recycled.

Electronic recycling, although a newbie in the recycling industry, presents a large pie share in the industry. Anything from cell phones, laptops, computer monitors, cables, TV sets and other electronic gadgets can be recycled using special processes. Many electronics companies provide drop off recycle centers for these products.

Glass can also be recycled, usually via curbside collection. Printer ink and toner cartridges can also be recycled. Batteries and lead-acid batteries from cars are also recyclable.

Of course, biodegradable waste from the kitchen or garden can be recycled, either via compost or via anaerobic digestion (where the waste is converted into biogas and/or fertilizer/soil improver).

You can check your area to know which materials you can recycle.

Recycling Resources