How Many Times Can Materials Be Recycled?

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

 

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you know that some materials are recycled infinitely? It’s true! Let’s take a look at some materials and how many times they can be recycled and reused.

Metal – Steel, aluminum and copper hold their properties no matter how many times they are melted down! A recycled aluminum can become a new can in as little as 2 months!

Glass – Glass can be recycled endlessly, as long as the colors get properly sorted!

Paper – Paper recycling involves turning the paper into fibers, so it can be remade back into paper. Each time paper goes through this process, the fibers get shorter. So, the shorter the fibers, the lower the quality of the paper. Paper can be recycled between five and seven times before the quality becomes too low to use.

Plastics – Most plastics can only make it through one successful recycling cycle. Most plastics that are recycled are used to become other products.

Read more of National Geographic's article here. Let us know on our Facebook page what you recycled this week!

What Do You Do With Old, Worn Clothes?

 Boro-Wide Recycling Corp. 

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656
www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Stop! Don’t throw away those torn jeans or warn hoodie, they can be recycled! It’s true. Goodwill will take textiles in any sort of condition. If after a while, the item isn’t sold, Goodwill contacts aftermarket textile recyclers who can use the clothing in a variety of ways. Whatever can be done to keep the clothes out of landfills, will be done!

So what happens to all of the unsellable textiles?

• 45% are sent to other countries as second-hand clothing
• 30% become wiping or polishing cloths
• 20% are turned into fibers for upholstery, insulation and furniture stuffing

SMART estimates that only 15 percent of all textiles are actually being recycled, which leaves around 11.1 million tons of textiles in landfills every year!

So next time you’re cleaning out your closest and find that old pair of paints that you don’t wear anymore drop them off at a goodwill or donation box!

Read more of Earth911’s article Here!

If you have a large amount of recycling or waste removal needed, make sure to contact Boro-Wide Recycling at (718) 416-1656!