What kind of materials are recyclable?

2 Answers
Nov 1, 2016

Certain plastics, glass (both colored and transparent), paper and cardboard, metals are recyclable.

Explanation:

Certain plastics are recyclable. PET bottles are recyclable.

Glass material is recyclable too. After crushing them into smaller pieces, you can make glass instead of using silicate.

Paper is recyclable. It is better to produce paper from waste paper both material wise (since you protect trees and forests) and energy wise.

Metals (such as aluminum cans) are recyclable. It is efficient to use recycling material compated to raw ore for metals too.

Nov 6, 2016

The answer to this question is location specific, as certain items may be recyclable in one area but not in others.

Explanation:

While there are absolute limits to what can be recycled in terms of technology and what scientists have discovered, this question also depends on where in the world one lives.

For example, in Sydney, Australia plastic bags cannot be recycled by the city but cardboard boxes, glass bottles, egg cartons, and Tetrapaks can all be collected.

In Athens, Greece, plastic bags, glass containers, newspapers, and magazines can all be recycled.

Electronic waste can be recycled but most of it isn't being recycled and this is largely regardless of where one lives. Styrofoam can actually be recycled but it isn't recycled everywhere and this is partially because there is limited use for the material.

There are still many towns and cities that do not provide recycling for residents. To read more about recycling on a global scale, see this link.