We believe in Recycling

Why Recycle?

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Recycling is easy and can make a difference, we can all do it. People need to understand the importance of recycling and its benefits:

1) Recycling conserves resources.

When we recycle, materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume natural resources which will help to protect natural habitats for the future. We have a responsibility to our children and their children etc.

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2) Recycling saves energy.

Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process uses considerable less energy than that required for producing new products from raw materials.

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3) Recycling helps protect the environment.

Recycling reduces the need for extracting, refining and processing raw materials all of which create air and water pollution. As recycling saves energy it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to tackle climate change.

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4) Recycling reduces landfill.

Landfill sites are a problem as no one wants them on their doorstep. They take up valuable space and release harmful gases into the air. When we recycle, recyclable materials are reprocessed into new products, and as a result the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites decreases which reduces emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

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How to Recycle?

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The first step is to separate recyclable materials from waste and store it separately. A lot of material that we dispose of is recyclable but we don’t necessarily have the means in South Africa to recycle everything, polystyrene being an example. Most recyclable materials fall into the following categories: plastic, paper and cardboard, cans and glass. The ideal is to separate the recyclable materials because that at the end is what needs to happen, but as we all now that is not something that everyone is prepared to do.

 

What invariably happens is that our recyclable material ends up in one bag(s) and it is important to know what cannot be put in our bag(s) of recyclable material. Here is a list (courtesy of Open Sky). Please note the list is not conclusive but gives a good indication.

 

The list can vary for each recycling company:

• Paint cans 

• Cans containing hazardous materials 

• Window glass 

• Shatterproof glass 

• Products smaller than the size of your palm (difficult to handle)

• Tissue paper 

• Diapers 

• Toys (may contain metal pins which are very difficult to remove. Rather bag these separately; we donate toys and games to our local creche) 

• Any soiled or excessively dirty items. All containers should be rinsed out.

• Items containing glue or excessive paint 

• Polystyrene food/meat trays 

• Takeaway containers 

• Disposable cutlery 

• Any plastic film with a foil base (sweets, chips, chocolate wrapper) 

• Laminated glass panels

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Note: Some recycling companies, Open Sky for example, will take electronic equipment.

 

 

Who can take my recycle items?

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If you are into sorting your recyclable material then you can take your material to a recycling point. Monument Park Shopping Centre has a recycling point with designated bins to drop your recycle items. Otherwise you can put all your recyclable material in a bag(s) for the informal collectors or arrange with a recycling company to collect.

 

Below is a list of recycling companies that collect in our are:

 

 

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