People have a habit of throwing out reusable materials, and this contributes to the massive amount of trash that currently packs our landfills. Recycling serving Atlanta, on the other hand, aims to keep these reusable materials in circulation by repurposing or reforming used products. You may be familiar with the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra, but many people do not understand how the process actually works. Keep reading if you are interested in understanding the steps of recycling.

Consumer Contribution

The recycling process starts when a consumer finishes a product and makes the conscious decision to have it recycled rather than throw it in the trash. Unfortunately many consumers skip this step, which is why landfills are currently filling to the brim. Other consumers, on the other hand, decide to do their part to help the environment by responsibly disposing of their used products. There are several ways you can ensure that your recyclables make it back to the shelves, and these options are the integral first steps in the recycling process. It helps to keep your regular garbage and your recycling in separate bins so that you can bring them each out to the curb on the appropriate days. You can also bring your bottles, cans, and other recyclable materials to bottle return centers or even to actual recycling centers. Once you have done this, you have taken the first step in recycling.

Sorting

When a recycling delivery arrives at the processing center, the first order of business is to sort extra materials out of the mixture. Workers will first remove non-recyclable materials that may have found their way into the mix. Then glass will be screened out , followed by metal. Metal is typically sorted out of the mixture using magnets and eddy fields.

Baling

Once each type of recyclable material has been sorted out and grouped together, these groups will be sent to the baler. The baler creates a bale of plastic, paper, metal, or other material so that the recycling plant is left with neatly organized bales of recyclables. Then they can be shipped to manufacturing plants to be repurposed.

Like many other aspects of modern society, recycling serving Atlanta has been around in some form for many generations. However, recycling of old differed from today’s processes, and it occurred for different reasons. The industrial boom changed the way we manufacture, sell, and purchase products, which had its own impact on recycling, and environmental consciousness has propelled the green movement in more recent years. Read on if you are interested in looking back at the history of recycling.

Recycling by Necessity

Though it may be difficult to picture now, there was a time when products were primarily made by hand. When this was the case, it made the most sense to reuse what you had because it required less energy than creating a new product; this is still a primary benefit of recycling today. The 1930s and 40s saw economic depression that affected a substantial amount of the population. Many families were not able to afford the goods that they needed, so they were forced to recycle their products in order to survive. During the same time, certain materials were rationed for the war. After World War II, however, the societal landscape had changed.

Industrial Boom and Disposability

The United States enjoyed prosperity and a new way of life after the Second World War, and with it came a sense of disposability. The latter half of the 40s and the entirety of the 50s saw a cheap production of goods, which meant that families were able to afford what they needed. Unfortunately this meant that they cared little for what they did not need, and were inclined to throw their used products in the trash. Fortunately society began to regain their environmental consciousness over the course of the following years.

Environmental Consciousness

The 60s and 70s managed to revive society’s appreciation for the planet and the environment. Since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 , the prospect of recycling has gradually picked up traction. It still has a long way to go in terms of total sustainability, but many tons of used products are now recycled regularly.

Keeping waste near Atlanta out of landfills can be advantageous for all parties involved, including the very planet itself. This is why Southern Waste & Recycling has put into place Zero Waste to Landfill Initiatives . Through more responsible waste disposal, companies can enjoy financial savings and greater efficiency while doing their part to reduce their impact on the environment. Through our Zero Waste to Landfill Initiatives, everybody wins. Feel free to continue on if you are interested in understanding our zero waste initiatives.

Shipping waste to a landfill is not necessarily a cheap venture for companies, yet it is often a necessary part of the job. With our Zero Waste to Landfill Initiatives, on the other hand, companies stand to save money as well as protect the environment. The purpose of these initiatives is to keep waste out of landfills by recycling and repurposing waste materials. The less landfill waste your project generates, the more efficiently your business can operate. It is our goal to turn waste into new products that can be returned to the public, stimulating the economy while reducing environmental impact. These initiatives also aim to find new purposes for materials that are not traditionally recyclable.

If you are getting tired over tripping over household clutter or carefully navigating through the maze of junk that is your garage, it may be time to think about dumpster rental or junk removal in Atlanta. Whether you should rent a dumpster or have a professional junk removal service help you clear out your clutter depends on a number of factors, and there are advantages and drawbacks to each option. Continue reading as we compare dumpster rental and junk removal.

Dumpster Rental

The prospect of filling up each of your household garbage cans a dozen times to transport your massive amount of clutter is probably not appealing. If you aim to clear out your house by yourself, you may enjoy the convenience of a dumpster rental. You can rent a dumpster for several days or weeks at a time, so you can feel free to work at your own pace and take your time in deciding what to part with and which items you would prefer to hold onto. However, keep in mind that your waste management company will not stick around to help you; hauling trash can be a physically intensive job, so make sure you’re up for it.

Junk Removal

Many people enjoy junk removal services because it takes the stress – both physical and emotional – out of getting rid of your clutter. If you choose this route, you can have your waste management professionals take on the physical challenge of hauling all of your heavy bags and broken appliances. While this may seem appealing, there are still factors to consider . A junk removal project will typically take one block of time; if you realize later on that you have more junk to remove, you will have to pay all over again.

Which Is Best for You?

While dumpster rental and junk removal services can both be advantageous, the decision comes down to your needs. If you have a budget to work with and detest strenuous activity, you will probably be happy with junk removal. Those who wish to take their time and do it themselves will fare well with a dumpster.

People handle recycling serving Atlanta in different ways; some might simply separate their aluminum cans and plastic bottles out from their regular trash, while others might rent a dumpster and take a more hands-on approach. Some even purchase their own dumpsters, balers, and compactors so that they can do as much as they can to protect the environment. Purchasing and renting these types of equipment for the purpose of recycling is noble, but it is important that you know what to do if any of them should malfunction. If you have a compactor, baler, or dumpster of your own, read on to learn about our equipment repair services.

While having a baler, dumpster, or compactor of your own can allow you to minimize your environmental impact, it can only afford you this benefit if it works properly. If you happen to run into any trouble, you can always call Southern Waste & Recycling and inquire about our equipment repair services. We are happy to repair your faulty compactors and bailers, and we can also provide equipment modifications so that your containers are more effective. We even offer preventative maintenance services so that you can keep your equipment in top shape.

Along with plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans may be the first product that comes to mind when you think about recycling serving Atlanta . This type of metal recycling can be extremely beneficial to the environment, and it can even offer you a monetary return. Watch this video clip if you would like to pick up a few facts about aluminum recycling.

People generally do a good job of recycling their aluminum cans. This is great news because it means that a substantial amount of usable aluminum will not be sent to landfills. Instead, it will be recycled and used as new products. Fortunately, aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without losing its consistency; it is much better off circulating through production again instead of taking up space in a landfill. Consumers who typically go through a significant volume of aluminum cans can also stand to make money back through aluminum recycling.

People throw out useful materials every day, which contributes to overflowing landfills and excessive energy demands. Fortunately recycling serving Atlanta can help turn the tide by repurposing used materials and putting them back into circulation as new products. This type of waste disposal can be extremely productive and is important when it comes to protecting the environment, but many people are unaware of how recycling actually works. Feel free to keep reading if you would like an inside look at the recycling process.

Sorting

Once you set your recyclables by the road for pickup or bring them to a recycling center, where do the materials go ? They first move from the collection center to a materials recovery facility to be unloaded. The massive mixture of recyclable materials is then fed to a conveyer belt by a hopper, where it can be initially sorted out by hand. The first order of business is to remove trash and cardboard, which will go to a landfill and fiber baler, respectively. Next, a glass sorting roller removes glass products from the mixture to be used as aggregate. As the conveyer belt continues on, plastic and metal containers are sorted from paper and cardboard materials. Now separated into three lines, materials like cardboard and paper are filtered into bins to be sent to the fiber baler while plastics are sent to the container baler. Finally, metal cans are sorted out via magnet and dropped into their corresponding bins.

Fiber Bales

After paper, cardboard, and other fiber items are removed from the conveyer belt, they are compacted into bales by a fiber baler. These bales are stored until they are ultimately sold or transported to paper mills so that they can be manufactured into new products.

Metal and Plastic

Just like fiber items are compacted into fiber bales, metal and plastic items are formed into bales of their own. There are different types of metals, as well as different types of plastics, and they are baled accordingly. Steel, tin, and aluminum products are repurposed into new metal products, while plastics are turned into anything from new bottles to carpets.

Responsible waste management in Atlanta has become more and more important as society has become increasingly concerned with the environment. Fortunately responsible waste management is not difficult; the simple phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” points out three viable methods of limiting environmental impact. Watch this video clip for a quick look at one of the reasons to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” contains three equally important parts. When you only take what you need, you reduce the amount of waste that is generated. This is particularly applicable to food; food waste is a serious issue in the United States. You can also reuse old materials that have satisfied their initial purposes. From elementary projects to scrap metal art, most anything can be repurposed. Recycling helps to keep usable materials out of landfills. Most landfills are already taking on an excessive amount of waste, but recycling seeks to help.

If you want to do what you can to protect the environment, it helps to have a clear understanding of recycling serving Atlanta. You are probably aware of how recycling can reduce the burden on landfills and put used materials back into circulation, but do you know exactly which materials can be recycled? Plastic, glass, and metal recycling all differ from each other, and it is important to understand what you can and cannot recycle. Continue on if you are interested in knowing what you can recycle.

Plastic

Plastic is one of the most recyclable materials, and for those who enjoy soda or bottled water, it is also very popular. The manufacture of new plastic contributes to waste and requires the use of fossil fuels, however, which makes recycling of plastic products even more important. It is important to remember to clean your plastic products before recycling them. Even small amounts of unclean plastic can contaminate other plastics in the bale, which means that the whole bale will end up in a landfill. If you are wondering if a given plastic container can be recycled, consider its shape; if it is a jug, bottle, or jar , it can probably be recycled.

Glass

It is important to realize that not all types of glass are recyclable, and glass itself may not be accepted in certain areas. The characteristic brown glass used for beer bottles is advantageous because it protects the contents from sunlight, making it an important commodity for many businesses. An even more popular type of glass is clear glass, which allows the consumer to view the product inside the container. Green glass, like brown glass, preserves the contents and protects them from sunlight. All of these types of glasses are commonly recycled.

Metal

Much – though not all – of metal recycling is related to metals like aluminum and steel. Roughly half of aluminum cans are recycled; while this is an impressive amount, millions of tons of aluminum are still thrown away on a yearly basis. Products like aluminum foil can also be recycled, but remember to wipe your foil clean before recycling.

Excessive amounts of clutter and junk in the home can be stressful, but there are trash companies that are happy to help you out. You can also simplify the process of junk removal in Atlanta by following a few simple steps. Remember to work with only the most qualified junk removal services, and know what you can and cannot recycle in your area. You should also make a plan in advance and stick to it to save yourself unnecessary stress. Continue reading for a few helpful junk removal tips for your home.

Work with the Pros

Clearing out junk from your home can be a daunting task to take on by yourself, so it always helps to work with a professional service. Although you may have the best idea of what qualifies as junk in your house, the pros are better able to get rid of it efficiently. Working with a junk removal company can help you take the stress out of what might otherwise be an overwhelming process. Be sure to work with a junk removal service that you trust, and ask for an estimate so there are no surprises when it comes to payment. Consider looking at review website online so you can be sure you choose a quality junk removal company.

Stay Organized

The longer it takes your junk removal company to clear out your home, the more money you will typically pay for the service. Fortunately, you can save money by getting your space organized beforehand. Take a walk around your house and decide what constitutes junk and clutter, and separate it from the rest of your belongings. It helps to use large boxes or bins so that you can make definitive decisions; a “maybe” pile can get bigger and bigger and undo your progress.

Know Your Recyclables

Recycling is a great way to limit your environmental impact while getting rid of your junk. Unfortunately, not everything can be recycled . Learn about your local recycling regulations before you leave anything out by your curb so you can be sure you do not receive a fine for non-recyclable materials.