Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Donald asks…
Why bother recycling?
I realize recycling is great! In central PA we have “recycle” dumpsters for your cardboard, bottles, etc. Trouble is, they are making it totally obvious that what you are putting in there isn’t going to be recycled! They are slowly going to dumpsters that are for ALL recyclables. You just throw everything in there! I find it highly unlikely they have people who sort everything. Once, a few years ago at an apartment I lived at, we had several dumpsters. One for glass, one for plastic, and one for paper. One day I saw the garbage man putting them all in the same garbage truck. I asked him what the point of recycling is if they are just going to mix it all up and take it to the dump. He said that residents are expected to recycle, but there are no such regulations on waste management companies. It all just gets mixed in with regular garbage. I am all about helping the environment. I just don’t get the point of recycling in this manner. Sure I realize that there are places that really do recycle the material, but they are few and far between.
The Expert answers:
For a while, people did sort the recyclables, and some places still use inmates to sort, but new technologies can sort without the problems of using people to sort.
Having separate containers for each category of items was a bother for most people and needed sorted anyhow because of it, so items needed sorted anyhow. Now items are now sorted with machinery rather than people which is more cost effective.
Recycling does save a lot of money, but it comes down to the city or municipality to follow through with sorting the stuff to recycle or just dumping everything into a land fill. Some municipalities don’t sort and recycle, but those that do save money from land fill fees, and make a little by selling the recycled stuff.
Charles asks…
How do I get my company to recycle paper?
75-90% of the company’s waste is good quality, clean paper. All that paper is being thrown in the garbage and ending up at a dump. When asked, my superiors wanted to know how much it would cost. Are there any sites or resources that I can research? This is a collossal waste of a valuable, renewable resource. Companies that do this should be fined!
The Expert answers:
Have you tried going to any government web sites?
Chris asks…
Who buys food and agriculture waste?
We have large quantity of supermarket returns pastries, pizza and bread dough’s, pies, pastries, scotch eggs and sausage rolls, prepared foods, sandwiches, restaurant and catering wastes and
Packaged products… Which company buys all these items for recycling? Please help! Thank you!
The Expert answers:
Contact a local pig farmer its all good food to the pigs,, or a local composting company they might like to add the food to help build the bacteria levels up in their composting piles
Ruth asks…
How much do Biffa charge for their general waste and confidential waste disposal?
Hi there
I am in need of a confidential shredding company and I know biffa is a big name. Any ideas how much they charge for general waste and confidential waste destruction? Is it an on site or off site process? is it all recycled.
I have had a look at the website and called them but no one is prepared to give me basic costs over the phone…I havent time to see lots of sales guys so just need costs to compare to other providers.
Thanks
The Expert answers:
You may have to put up with sales people. What they charge depends on the volume of waste you produce. Consider buying a larger shredder and just recycling with the rest of your paper waste.
Susan asks…
Is it surprising that there are so many toxic chemicals in our food?
When all the companies are doing is recycling/selling us their toxic waste from one industry to make a profit in another?
The Expert answers:
The world is full of toxic chemicals and they are not all man made by a long shot. Did you know that potatoes contain a small amount of cyanide for instance.
Sandra asks…
Where can I sell a huge amount ($1000lbs) of Plastic bottles?
Scrap yards and recycling plants that pay you for alluminum,steel,iron,etc,etc……… do not buy plastic. The waste company picks it up every 2 weeks curbside but they are a business and make money off all that waste. I come across a huge amont of plastic and this is the item that I want to contiune to save and store and sell to someone, all at one time in bulk. please help with quality answers
The Expert answers:
See www.vikoz.com/ They allegedly buy bulk waste plastic “nationwide.”
Linda asks…
Why is there not a ban on the amount of packaging waste used on things like kids toys?
My son got a set with pencils and tonnes of other stuff in it and it took him about half and hour to get all the packaging off, which took up a tonne of space in my recycling bin.
And it seem the cheaper the items the more elaborately packaged they are.
Why with all this green thing going on are company’s still able to pump out so much plastic?
The Expert answers:
It’s disgusting isn’t it?
I see the supermarkets are getting on the eco-band wagon and stopping giving away plastic carriers for free, instead asking us to buy stronger, longer lasting reusable ones, yet they continue to sell products packaged in piles and piles of plastic and cardboard.
I HATE with a passion, the amount of packaging used nowadays.
But will it ever stop? Not until the earth is covered in the damn stuff.
Laura asks…
How can I recycle plastic bags to make building bricks?
We have a lot of waste plastic bags and am wondering if I can recycle them to make building bricks. There is one or two companies in my location recycling the same to make fencing poles, but I would like to manufacture huge quantities of hardened brings for building, Road construction etc. By doing this, I will be resolving a very big environmental problem as well as creating jobs and some income.
I would like to know the technology involved and if there is a company involved in what I have in mind and is preparing to either go into partnership with me or help me in setting up such a factory..
The Expert answers:
First, I do not think that at this point in time you will be able to produce safe and effective bricks or road material using plastic.
The closest you will get is the new type of plastic lumber that is coming out. That is some really good stuff and people are using it today. I can not say how much recycled content they have though.
Carol asks…
Rubish removal companies your views and opinions please?
I run a small rubbish removal and house clearance business in the uk which uses vans instead of skips, I would just like to hear peoples opinions eg. would you use this kind of company etc. I have also just put a forum page on my website and would be greatfull if you would start some conversations on recycling and waste issues on there: http://www.wasteremovalonline.co.uk/
thanks!
The Expert answers:
I want a company with skips
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