Paper Recycling in New York City: How It Works

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Although the rise of computer technology has encouraged many to go paperless, paper still makes up a large chunk of the trash that is produced everyday. In order to improve the city's recycling efforts and reduce the amount of paper that ends up in landfills, paper recycling has been mandatory in New York City since 1989. But what happens to the paper after we've done our part and put in the recycling bin? We'll tell you!

According to NY1, paper pickups in New York City start at 6 a.m when roll call takes place at each of the 59 Sanitation district garages. After being given their assignments, drivers and their partners take out their trucks and begin to travel through New York City neighborhoods, collecting the paper that is put out for recycling. Once drivers have completed their routes across Manhattan, all of the paper winds up at the 59th Street Marine Transfer Station on the Hudson river. From there, the paper is emptied into barges which transfer it to a private recycling facility located on Staten Island.

After the paper has reached the Pratt Industries Staten Island Paper Mill, employees work to remove any additional items that may have ended up in the trucks, i.e metal. After the materials are sorted the paper goes into a pulper machine where hot water breaks down the paper's fibers. Once this step is complete, the pulp-like mixture that is made passes through a variety of other machines where it is cleaned, dried and recreated into new sheets of paper!

While the end result of the recycling process is new paper, the recycling plant actually transforms all of the recycled materials into boxes for companies such as Home Depot and Kraft.

For more information on paper recycling in New York City, click here.

At Boro Wide Recycling, we work to keep our planet safe by providing comprehensive recycling services to commercial and residential customers. Join us in our efforts! Contact us to learn how we can help you in your recycling efforts, and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news in recycling efforts and eco-friendly tips.  

Simple Ways to Reduce Waste

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of tungphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In addition to recycling, another great way to be environmentally conscious is to reduce the amount of waste we produce each day. Too often, waste products end up in landfills even though they can be reused or recycled. As a result, products are wrongly treated and more energy is needed to create new ones.

While the concept of "waste" and the act of throwing things out is unavoidable, the amount of waste we get rid of can be reduced in a few simple ways. The following is a list of ways that you can reduce the amount of waste you produce:

- Use reusable bags when shopping and use a lunchbox or plastic containers for your food to avoid throwing away paper or plastic bags.

- When shopping for certain products, choose ones that can be returned or reused over ones that can only serve its purpose one time.

- Buy in bulk; avoid purchasing individually wrapped or single-serve items.

- Select products like dish soap and laundry detergents that come in concentrate forms.

- Compost your food scraps and yard waste.

- Eliminate junk mail to reduce the amount of paper you throw out each day.

- Carefully select the clothing items you use. Check that the product is make from quality materials that will last long, and when an item is no longer useful to you, give it to a friend or donate to a local charity or thrift store instead of throwing it out.

- Buy items that are made from recycled contents and make sure to use them as much as you can. For example, always use both sides of a piece of paper.

The next time you bring an item to the trash can, think before you act; ask yourself, "can I reuse this item in anyway?" Chances are, you can! Over time, you're sure to find that you've significantly reduced the amount of waste you produce each day!

At Boro Wide Recycling, we work to keep our planet safe by providing comprehensive recycling services to commercial and residential customers. Join us in our efforts! Contact us to learn how we can help you in your recycling efforts, and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news in recycling efforts and eco-friendly tips.