What is recycling?
Recycling is when we take something that is waste, and process it to be a new, usable product. Many different kinds of things can be recycled: metal, plastic, and glass. Recycling takes a lot of energy, but is important to help us in conserving valuable resources.
Recycling is when we take something that is waste, and process it to be a new, usable product. Many different kinds of things can be recycled: metal, plastic, and glass. Recycling takes a lot of energy, but is important to help us in conserving valuable resources.
What is waste?
All living things make waste. Trees make waste when their dead leaves fall off in the autumn. Animals make waste by pooping out the food they eat, or getting rid of dead skin (like snakes). Plants make waste when they die and lay on the ground. Humans make the most waste out of all living things, and the problem is that we make waste that won't break down. People in the U.S.A. make an average of two kilograms each day. And because this garbage is not able to break down, things that are garbage today will be garbage for a long time!
All living things make waste. Trees make waste when their dead leaves fall off in the autumn. Animals make waste by pooping out the food they eat, or getting rid of dead skin (like snakes). Plants make waste when they die and lay on the ground. Humans make the most waste out of all living things, and the problem is that we make waste that won't break down. People in the U.S.A. make an average of two kilograms each day. And because this garbage is not able to break down, things that are garbage today will be garbage for a long time!
What happens to waste?
When humans make waste, three things can generally happen. It can be made into compost, it can be recycled, or it goes to a landfill.
Compost is made of biodegradable waste such as banana peels, egg shells, onion peels, and other kitchen garbage. Compost is made by putting this kind of waste together, adding some water, and letting it decompose for a long time. After about a year, this waste transforms into compost, which can be used as fertilizer for gardens.
Landfills are where most waste goes. Every time you throw out a plastic bottle, an old newspaper, or a dirty diaper, it most likely goes to a landfill. While landfills have kind of a bad reputation, recent laws have done a lot to make them safer. New landfills must have plastic liners to protect the ground from dangerous chemicals. Landfills must also be far enough from water so that dangerous things can't get into lakes, rivers, and streams to pollute it.
Many things can be recycled. Paper, plastic, metal, and glass can all be taken to recycling plants, broken down, and re-made into something new.
When humans make waste, three things can generally happen. It can be made into compost, it can be recycled, or it goes to a landfill.
Compost is made of biodegradable waste such as banana peels, egg shells, onion peels, and other kitchen garbage. Compost is made by putting this kind of waste together, adding some water, and letting it decompose for a long time. After about a year, this waste transforms into compost, which can be used as fertilizer for gardens.
Landfills are where most waste goes. Every time you throw out a plastic bottle, an old newspaper, or a dirty diaper, it most likely goes to a landfill. While landfills have kind of a bad reputation, recent laws have done a lot to make them safer. New landfills must have plastic liners to protect the ground from dangerous chemicals. Landfills must also be far enough from water so that dangerous things can't get into lakes, rivers, and streams to pollute it.
Many things can be recycled. Paper, plastic, metal, and glass can all be taken to recycling plants, broken down, and re-made into something new.
How is paper recycled?
Paper is taken to a paper mill, where it is washed with different kinds of chemicals to help break it down. Then the paper is mixed into a slushy pile of thick liquid pulp. Paper mills then use soap to wash the pulp and take away ink. The pulp is then pushed through screens to take away old bits of tape and staples. Then the pulp is pressed into flat sheets by big rollers, and then dried and cut into the size paper needed.
Paper is taken to a paper mill, where it is washed with different kinds of chemicals to help break it down. Then the paper is mixed into a slushy pile of thick liquid pulp. Paper mills then use soap to wash the pulp and take away ink. The pulp is then pushed through screens to take away old bits of tape and staples. Then the pulp is pressed into flat sheets by big rollers, and then dried and cut into the size paper needed.
How is plastic recycled?
Plastic is recycled in different ways because there are many different types of plastic. Most plastic has a little recycle sign on it to tell how it should be recycled. This means that plastic must be really carefully sorted. Many recycling plants can only do one or two kinds of plastic recycling. But usually, the most common kinds of plastic can be recycled, things like plastic bags, soda bottles, and plastic cartons that hold cleaning supplies.
Plastic is recycled in different ways because there are many different types of plastic. Most plastic has a little recycle sign on it to tell how it should be recycled. This means that plastic must be really carefully sorted. Many recycling plants can only do one or two kinds of plastic recycling. But usually, the most common kinds of plastic can be recycled, things like plastic bags, soda bottles, and plastic cartons that hold cleaning supplies.
How is metal recycled?
One of the most common kinds of metal that is recycled are soda cans. They are taken to a recycling plant and cut into small pieces. The metal is then melted, and the ink and dye used to color them is removed. The metal is then shaped into ingots, which look kind of like bricks. That way it is easy to transfer from one place to another, and then it is later shaped into many different kinds of products.
One of the most common kinds of metal that is recycled are soda cans. They are taken to a recycling plant and cut into small pieces. The metal is then melted, and the ink and dye used to color them is removed. The metal is then shaped into ingots, which look kind of like bricks. That way it is easy to transfer from one place to another, and then it is later shaped into many different kinds of products.
Here are some links to fun recycling crafts you can make!
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