In case you missed it, last week we happily announced our Earth Day Craft Competition: Reuse Your Recyclables! The goal of this competition is to educate each other on what materials are recyclable and to challenge ourselves to think outside of the box in how we can be repurposing everyday items. Reusing and recycling are important habits to reduce waste and protect the environment. However, not all materials are created equal when it comes to recyclability. In this blog post, we will give a refresh on recyclables by exploring what materials are considered to be recyclable. Aka… what items can be used in our Earth Day celebration!
Paper and Cardboard:
Paper and cardboard are some of the most commonly recycled materials. They can be easily processed into new paper products such as tissue, paper towels, and cardboard boxes. Recycling paper and cardboard helps reduce the number of trees cut down to make new paper products, which in turn helps to conserve forests and their ecosystems.
Plastic:
Plastic is a versatile material that is used in a variety of products. However, not all types of plastic are recyclable. The most commonly recycled plastics include PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in water bottles, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) used in milk jugs and detergent bottles, and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) used in pipes and vinyl siding. It's important to note that plastic bags are not typically accepted in curbside recycling, but many grocery stores have recycling programs for them.
Glass:
Glass is a highly recyclable material that can be processed into new glass products without any loss in quality. Glass containers such as jars and bottles are the most commonly recycled glass items. Recycling glass helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserves natural resources.
Metals:
Metals are highly recyclable and can be processed into new products without any loss in quality. Aluminum cans, steel cans, and scrap metal are the most commonly recycled metal items. Recycling metals helps conserve natural resources and reduces the need for mining and extracting new metals from the earth.
Electronics:
Electronics such as computers, cell phones, and televisions contain valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver that can be recycled. Recycling electronics helps reduce the amount of electronic waste sent to landfills and conserves natural resources.
In the instance that you and your family are not participating in our Earth Day Craft Competition and are simply looking to recycle items around your house, click below to download our BVR Acceptable Materials informational flier. We hope that everyone participates in this fun and educational activity in celebration of our great planet!
Happy crafting!