Recycling is fun!

There are many ways of making recycling fun, you just need to be creative, have free time and recycle as much as you can. Here we leave you some advices of how you can turn a boring way of recycling into a funny way.

Pencil/Marker Organizers

Vertical Garden

Jet Pack

Lamp

Recycling is not the first thing that needs to be done to make a difference for our environment.

The first thing that needs to be done is to reduce the need to buy so much of a given product. Everyone should then try to reuse items as much as possible to recycle, whether as the same product or in a different mode.
Thinking of creative ways to reuse as much paper as possible in the home can be a rewarding challenge. Shredded paper can be used for packing and mailing fragile items. Newspapers and old magazines make for unique gift wrapping options. Reuse paper with writing only on one side when possible. Use paper as compost. Put only leftover paper into the recycling bin. You can also get your kids involved and try making crafts and other activities out of recyclable materials.
Try to get rid of recycling as much as possible by purchasing groceries that don’t require lots of extraneous packaging. Buying in bulk is a good way cut down on packaging (and the food is typically fresher and tastes better).

The downside of recycle

Although recycling saves the environment from loosing more natural resources, more toxic chemicals are added to create products from recycled materials. The environment is saved for the time being, but problems may still exist down the line. 

Outsourcing

Electronic devices contain many valuable and rare compounds, so choosing devices that include post-consumer content seems like a good way to reduce pressure on natural resources. Unfortunately, the practice of recycling electronics often produces so many toxic byproducts that recyclers simply ship the electronic waste to other countries.

Costs

In the majority of cases, using recycled materials is no more expensive than using raw materials, and in some cases, it can be cheaper. But there are some areas where opting for recycled products may come with a cost premium. Using reclaimed materials when remodeling or building a home is one way to reduce your impact on the environment, but boards made from recycled plastic and countertops formed from reclaimed glass may be substantially more expensive than other options.

Downcycling

Unlike aluminum, which manufacturers can recycle and recast a theoretically infinite number of times with no loss of quality, plastics are generally only good for one use. You cannot melt down a plastic beverage bottle and recast a new one, so you have to “downcycle” the plastic into a new form.

Benefits of recyling

·  Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.

·  Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.

·  Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.

·  Saves energy.

·  Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

·  Helps sustain the environment for future generations.

Different ways to recycle.

Household recycling

Recycling in and around the home can be easy when you know how. By thinking carefully about what products you buy at the supermarket and how to recycle them is the first step towards efficient recycling.

Many materials can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. Other items such as furniture, electronic equipment, building material and vehicles can also be recycled but many people don’t often think to do so.

When shopping at the supermarket, buy products that can be recycled easily such as glass jars and tin cans.

It is difficult to recycle products that contain hazardous waste. Try to find safer alternatives to household cleaners and buy non-toxic products whenever possible.

Recycling in the garden

By recycling garden products and planting trees, you can help improve the environment in your back garden.

Composting is a process where waste degrades into compost, which can then be used in your garden to help it grow. It is an excellent way to recycle garden and kitchen waste such as plant trimmings and leftover food.

Grass cycling is an excellent way of recycling grass cuttings after mowing the lawn. Simply leave the cuttings on the ground instead of throwing them away, they will turn into nutrients and act as a fertilizer in the soil.

Planting trees in your garden helps to improve the environment by reducing global warming and providing a home for many animals.

Recycling in the community

Facilities are provided for community use. Find out where your local recycling facilities are and how to use them.

Schools and businesses can play an important role in recycling. Follow the recycling schemes provided by your school or workplace and think about ways to improve them. 

Cash for cans is also a way to help with the recycling. This project gives money to people who recycle their aluminium cans. There are many cash for cans sites around Costa Rica, so get involved and earn a bit of extra cash in the process.

What is recycling?

Recycling is the practice of reusing items that would otherwise be discarded as waste. Variations of recycling include up cycling, which involves adding value to an item for reuse, and down cycling, which involves breaking down an item or substance into its component elements to reuse anything that can be salvaged.