Recycling matters. And, each time we send recyclable items to landfill, we’re chucking away valuable resources. Thankfully, in New Zealand and abroad, many businesses take recycling as seriously as we do, and they are creating some amazing products. Check them out:
1: Plastic
Let’s face it: plastic is pretty handy; it is excellent for all kinds of products, such as packaging. However, despite its good qualities, plastic can be devasting to our environment — heck some types can take as long as 1000 to biodegrade! That’s why it’s essential that we recycle as much plastic as possible. So, what can discarded bottles and plastic bags become? Well, throughout the world, plastic is being used to manufacture benches, decks, bollards, children’s playgrounds — even chairs in sports stadiums.
2: Newspapers
We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “Today’s news, tomorrow’s fish-and-chip wrapping”? Well, these days, many news stories are becoming kitty litter. What a fall from grace! Take a look along the pet food aisle at your local supermarket, and you’ll see there are several brands manufactured from newspapers. Actually, if you’re a hands-on kind of person, you can make your own kitty litter. Here’s how:
- Shred your old papers (a shredder is helpful), and place them into an unused litter tray.
- Soak the paper in warm water, and add a small amount of biodegradable dishwashing liquid.
- Drain the water, and soak the papers again; this time, though, don’t add dishwashing liquid.
- Liberally sprinkle baking soda onto the wet paper, and knead the mixture.
- Squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the paper.
- Then, crumple the paper over a screen, and leave it to dry for a couple of days.
Fact: Every year, we Kiwis use around 2 billion bottles and cans, and less than 50% are recycled.
3: Tyres
If you need Pink Bins to remove some tyres from your property, don’t mix them with general or hard fill waste. We won’t be able to accept them. Instead, put the tyres into a single bin. We will then pick up your tyres and send them to J & J Laughton Shredding Services who will convert them into natural resources such as replacement bark for horse arenas. Also, last year, a new recycling plant in Auckland started turning old tyres into a fuel source.