What Are the Effects of Not Recycling Properly?

As you are hurrying back to work with an armful of rubbish containing the remnants of your lunch break, it can be easy to quickly toss your waste into the nearest bin, rather than the correct one. However, it is important to understand the risks of not disposing of your rubbish properly, so that you can be more responsible with your waste disposal.

Decreased Efficiency

While you might have the best intentions, chucking non-recyclable items in the recycling bin can drastically decrease efficiency in recycling centres. Recycling centres use sorting equipment to filter through different material types and process recyclable materials. However, the process only works if the materials are recyclable.

Paper, cardboard, plastic and metal gets in the way of a smooth, efficient, streamline process. Employees in recycling centres often have to hand-pick the materials that are not recyclable, which can be very time-consuming. It also increases their exposure to materials that can be sharp or contaminated.

Contamination

Throwing away rubbish that contains food can create a huge contamination issue at recycling centres. Things like greasy pizza boxes or unwashed peanut butter jars can contaminate lots of recyclable material. Not only does contamination attract pests and create unsanitary conditions, but it also decreases the feasibility of recycling the contaminated materials.

So, make sure you only recycle materials that do not contain food or that have been thoroughly washed before being disposed of.

Damage to Equipment and Employees

Non-recyclable materials can jam up equipment, causing it to break.

Items like glass can cause damage to employees because they have to hand-pick the non-recyclable materials. Larger items like microwaves and furniture can cause fires in the equipment, which can lead to costly repairs and a reduction in the efficiency of the process.

How Do I Recycle Properly?

To prevent causing disruption to the recycling process, it is important to know how to recycle properly. The most common recyclable materials are paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic bottles and jugs. However, ensure that materials that have been in contact with food have been thoroughly washed before being disposed of, to prevent any contamination in the recycling process.

Recycling Near Me

If you are looking for a professional eco friendly waste disposal company in Bridgend, look no further than Broughshire Waste Metals!

At Broughshire Waste Metals, we offer reliable recycling services for both domestic and commercial clients to improve their environmental efforts without breaking the bank. We accept a variety of different materials, including general waste and hazardous waste, and also specialise in e-waste recycling.

For additional information on our services, get in touch with a member of our helpful team today!