Why should you recycle?

There are many misconceptions when it comes to recycling waste and there are still many people that are unsure as to why we should be recycling. This month, Thompson Fuel & Skip Hire are here to explain why it is so important, how our recycling services work, what our team do and how we can make the world a much better place to live; in just a few, simple steps.

There are many myths about recycling but we’re here to identify and explain the honest truth.

Myths:

‘Recycling doesn’t and won’t make a difference’

If recycling didn’t make a difference then separate waste collection, individual waste bins and jobs, would be all for nothing. Recycling reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfill – where waste is literally dumped into the ground we walk on.

Did you know: here in the UK, the process of recycling saves up to 15 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year, that’s the same as removing 3.5 million cars from the road! Now that’s a huge difference.

‘Recycling gets mixed in and thrown away with rubbish’

Materials that can be recycled are incredibly valuable to recycling centres. Once your box of recycling has been collected, it is then sorted, bailed and taken to reprocessors. This is where your recycling is made into a new item.

‘I don’t need a food waste collection service’

Food waste is unavoidable, when we cook we have left over vegetable peel, scraps and not to mention all those used tea bags. We all have this type of waste – so make sure you place your food waste in a container for recycling – you might also want to add it to your compost pile too.

Food/drink waste that you can recycle in your compost:

• Coffee grounds
• Coffee filters
• Tea bags
• Loose leaf tea
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Crushed egg shells
• Stale bread, cereal, pita and tortillas
• Pasta sauce
• Old herbs and spices
• Pizza crusts
• Peanut shells
• Avocado pits
• Wine corks
• Jelly and jam
• Mouldy cheese

‘Paper can’t be recycled too many times’

Although paper begins to break down and lose it’s quality after being recycled 5-6 times, it can still be used to make egg cartons, loft insulation and packaging. Paper is never wasted, it can always be reused for alternative means.

‘Recycling plastic is hard’

It is not, in the majority of cases you can recycle butter tubs, plastic bottles and yogurt pots but if you’re unsure it’s important to check with your local council. Once you’ve got in touch – you’ll be fully in the know for the future.

Did you know: in Wales, 725,000 plastic bottles are used in just one day and only half of them are recycled!

‘It takes more energy to recycle metal than it does to extract raw metal’

When you recycle cans, it saves an incredible amount of energy. Recycling tin cans and drinking cans saves 95% of the energy that’s required to build new cans – from the raw metal.

Did you know: the energy saved recycling an old can, instead of making a new one – can power your TV for 3 hours!

If you’re looking for straightforward and simple recycling, turn to your local services today. At Thompson Fuel & Skip Hire we prioritise environmentally friendly waste because we care about the environment and the conservation of materials. Turn to our helpful team today, we work throughout Doncaster and the surrounding area – so get in touch and let’s see what we can do for you.