Q: How does recycling work?
A: There are three parts to the recycling process: collection, manufacturing and buying. These three components are so important that they are represented by the three "chasing arrows" of the recycling logo.
A: There are three parts to the recycling process: collection, manufacturing and buying. These three components are so important that they are represented by the three "chasing arrows" of the recycling logo.
Collection - Don't Send Recyclables To The Landfill
In this phase, materials are separated from the waste stream and
prepared to become raw materials. Different cities and municipalities have
different systems for sorting and collecting materials that can be recycled. At
Stanford, we collect recyclables through the curbside and campus recycling
program and the public drop off center. Once collected, we sort the material on
campus into various categories.
Manufacturing - Using Recycled Materials Instead Of Virgin Raw
Materials
Recovering the materials is just the first step. There must also be
a market for it - companies that want the materials and are able to
remanufacture them into consumer products. Sometimes these companies have to
invest a significant amount of money in adapting their manufacturing processes
to accommodate the use of recycled materials in their products.
Buying - "Close The Loop" By Buying Products With Recycled
Content
In order to make recycling economically viable, there must be a
market for recycled products. If people buy them, companies will be encouraged
to make them, and the whole system works.
Q: What do the three chasing arrows mean?
A: Do you know why the recycling symbol has three chasing arrows? Each arrow represents one step in the three step process that completes the recycling loop.
A: Do you know why the recycling symbol has three chasing arrows? Each arrow represents one step in the three step process that completes the recycling loop.
The first step is collection. This is when you put your recyclables
into your curbside recycling bin or take them to a local drop-off center. The
collected materials are then prepared to be marketed and are sold to a
manufacturing facility.
The manufacturing process is the second arrow in the recycling
symbol. The recyclable materials are converted into new products and shipped to
stores across the country to be placed on shelves as new consumer goods.
The third step is where you, the consumer, purchase products made
with recycled content. When you “Buy Recycled,” you complete the recycling
loop.
Q: Why do we have to sort our recyclables?
A: Mixing different recyclables or contaminating them with garbage makes it more difficult to prepare and sell them to a market. Each market has certain specification for the type of material and amount of contaminants allowed. We have to meet these standards in order to receive payment for the material. We have people on campus sort material into three types (cardboard, paper, and plastics, metals, and glass) to make it more economically for us to prepare the material for the markets.
A: Mixing different recyclables or contaminating them with garbage makes it more difficult to prepare and sell them to a market. Each market has certain specification for the type of material and amount of contaminants allowed. We have to meet these standards in order to receive payment for the material. We have people on campus sort material into three types (cardboard, paper, and plastics, metals, and glass) to make it more economically for us to prepare the material for the markets.
Q: What happens to all the recyclables are
dropped off at the Recycling Center?
A: Once it is collected at the Recycling Drop-Off Center, the recycling bin is emptied into a larger container. Once the larger bin is full, it is either hauled to a mill, factory, or broker and then sold to a manufacturer who uses the material to make a new product. Glass is made into fiberglass or glassphalt used on surface roads. Newspaper and magazines often become new newspaper and magazines. Mixed paper and corrugated cardboard are used to make the thin liner in corrugated cardboard or made into another paperboard product. White paper is used to make new paper. Aluminum cans become new aluminum cans, car parts, or any other aluminum product. Plastic soda bottles become new plastic containers, fiberfill for pillows or sleeping bags, and car parts. Steel is made into new steel products.
A: Once it is collected at the Recycling Drop-Off Center, the recycling bin is emptied into a larger container. Once the larger bin is full, it is either hauled to a mill, factory, or broker and then sold to a manufacturer who uses the material to make a new product. Glass is made into fiberglass or glassphalt used on surface roads. Newspaper and magazines often become new newspaper and magazines. Mixed paper and corrugated cardboard are used to make the thin liner in corrugated cardboard or made into another paperboard product. White paper is used to make new paper. Aluminum cans become new aluminum cans, car parts, or any other aluminum product. Plastic soda bottles become new plastic containers, fiberfill for pillows or sleeping bags, and car parts. Steel is made into new steel products.
Q: Why are some things recyclable and others
are not?
A: As technology improves more materials will become easier to recycle in communities nationwide. In order for materials to be recycled, markets must exist and there must be a demand for the end products. If stable markets do not exist, materials are often stock-piled and could ultimately end up at the landfill. PSSI wants to ensure there is a stable market for a item before it adds it to its collection. You can help create stable markets for recyclables by Buying Recycled!
A: As technology improves more materials will become easier to recycle in communities nationwide. In order for materials to be recycled, markets must exist and there must be a demand for the end products. If stable markets do not exist, materials are often stock-piled and could ultimately end up at the landfill. PSSI wants to ensure there is a stable market for a item before it adds it to its collection. You can help create stable markets for recyclables by Buying Recycled!
Q: Why can't I recycle everything?
A: This is by far the most asked question. The shortest answer is that not everything has a market. Remember that recycling is a business with the economics driven by supply and demand - just like any other business. Is there a demand by a manufacturer for a particular material? Are they willing to pay for this material, like they would any other type of raw material? Of course, what often drives the manufacturer's demand for a material type is the consumer's demand for the end product. By buying products containing recycled materials, we "close the loop". When the loop is closed, markets are developed and recycling those materials makes more economic sense. In short, in order for anything to be recycled, it must have a market to be sold to. Be a part of the solution, Buy Recycled!
A: This is by far the most asked question. The shortest answer is that not everything has a market. Remember that recycling is a business with the economics driven by supply and demand - just like any other business. Is there a demand by a manufacturer for a particular material? Are they willing to pay for this material, like they would any other type of raw material? Of course, what often drives the manufacturer's demand for a material type is the consumer's demand for the end product. By buying products containing recycled materials, we "close the loop". When the loop is closed, markets are developed and recycling those materials makes more economic sense. In short, in order for anything to be recycled, it must have a market to be sold to. Be a part of the solution, Buy Recycled!
