In today’s
society, we know all too well how harmful particular types of waste can be to
our planet, so reducing, reusing and recycling has never been more important.
However, despite most businesses and individuals doing their part to reduce
environmental harm, there are still many materials that cannot be reused.
According to
recent UK recycling trends, 80%
of the items we throw away can be recycled, but what
about the other 20%? Making simple switches to sustainable materials is one way
of ensuring as much waste is recycled as possible, however, it seems there will
always be a small percentage of rubbish that cannot be recycled. As important
as it is to concentrate on the materials that can be recycled, being educated
about the non-recyclables is essential too so that waste can be properly
sorted.
So, what
happens to non-recyclable materials? In this blog, we explain more about this
and how landfill sites are coping with the masses of waste. Read on for all you
need to know.
Which items cannot be recycled?
Did you know
that even some items that are made from recyclable materials cannot be
recycled? When it comes to disposal, there are many different rules that need
to be followed which can make recycling a lot more complicated. Because of
this, many individuals and businesses fall short on recycling goals or
recyclable items end up at landfill sites. To break this down a little, here
are some of the items you may come across that cannot be recycled.
At WM
Thompson & Sons, when dealing with non-recyclable materials we always
follow agency guidelines to ensure that our work is productive, not
destructive. Unfortunately, not all items can be recycled and until we find
sustainable solutions a majority of waste will need to go to landfill. Our
on-site recycling facilities
are on hand to help you sort your
waste in the right way. Get in touch with us for more information.
Polystyrene
Commonly
used as a way to store food, polystyrene isn’t allowed in recycling bins.
Because it’s usually covered in food or drink, like pizza boxes which are also
non-recyclable, they are difficult to clean - there’s no point recycling
something that uses more energy to process than it saves! Polystyrene is a type
of plastic that is brilliant for insulation which is why it’s usually used in
coffee cups, on the other hand, it’s these characteristics that make it hard to
recycle and dangerous to burn. Polystyrene usually can't be recycled locally
and has to be transported to a centralized plant.
Paper receipts
Although
many stores now offer emailed receipts as a way of saving paper, the UK still
hands out around 11 million printed receipts every year. You may assume that as
they are made from paper that they are completely fine to recycle, but this is
not the case. The thermal coating on paper receipts known as bisphenol A (BPA)
can be harmful to the environment - one of the main reasons why it is banned
from many other plastic products. If paper receipts were to be recycled, there
is a high risk that BPA would contaminate other products in the recycling
stream such as facial tissue or shopping bags which puts the public even closer
to the chemical.
Mirrors
Mirrors are
made from glass, right which means they can be recycled? Wrong! Mirrors usually
contain a coating to make the glass reflective but this cannot be mixed with
regular glass as it can become unusable. Furthermore, different types of glass
melt at different temperatures, so it’s almost impossible to liquify coated
glass with standard glass because of this. The best thing you can do is try to
reuse old mirrors by upcycling them into new pieces or donating them.
Aerosol cans
Since
aerosol cans are made up of steel and aluminium which are both recyclable
metals, you would think that they are easily recyclable. However, the trouble
lies in the pressurised system of these type of cans as they can become
dangerous under certain conditions. Partially or completely full aerosol cans
will need to be separated from the rest of the recycling, but if they are
modified in any way such as crushed or pierced, this increases the chances of
aerosols exploding. Confusingly, they can be recycled as long as they are properly
emptied although they may need to be disposed of at your local recycling centre
rather than household bins.
Ceramics
Recycling
ceramics is possible but still rare. Old dishes and other kitchenware melt at
different temperatures to most recyclable items which makes them harder to
dispose of. Most facilities will not accept ceramics but it’s always worth
checking what your local centre’s rules are. Always try to repair broken
ceramics if you can or donate them, but if they are broken, wrap them in a
newspaper before putting them in the bin to avoid injuries by the waste
collection team.
Other common
items that are not recyclable include:
● Bubble wrap and plastic wrap
● Coloured paper
● Treated wood
● Coffee pods
Why are some materials non-recycable?
There are
several reasons why not all waste is recyclable and this can make it hard to
know where your rubbish needs to go. Recycling is not always as transparent as
it needs to be and in many cases, non-recyclable items will end up in landfills
which isn’t ideal but as long as the recyclable items are dealt with properly
you are still making a positive impact.
What are the common problems with landfills and
their solutions?
You’ve
probably heard how landfills have contributed to environmental issues, but the
good news is that there are some solutions to these issues, including:
● Toxins -
With
the number of different materials that end up in landfills, over time they
react with each other and the earth by releasing toxins. Mercury, lead and
arsenic are just some of the toxins that are often found in landfill sites, but
new synthetic membranes can drain them to be converted into fertilizer.
● Leachate -
Caused
by groundwater and rain, when the liquid infiltrates waste this produces a
toxic liquid called leachate. To solve this, compounds can be used to filter
the waste to reduce any harm.
● Greenhouse gases -
When organic materials are compacted the oxygen is removed and methane is
produced. In large concentrations, methane is very dangerous and impactful to
the environment and must be treated through composting and using methane as
energy.
W M Thompson & Sons: Sustainable Landfill
Site in Dumbarton
At WM Thompson & Sons, we care about
environmentally-conscious waste management, doing as much as we can to reduce
waste and improve the methods of quarrying. Over the years, we’ve adapted to
the needs of our clients while looking towards a more sustainable future.
Based in
Dumbarton, we’ve gained an excellent reputation in the local area and
throughout the industry. We aim to reduce environmental problems, helping small
scale infrastructure to large projects be more responsible. Our services
include landfill disposal for non-recyclable items, supplying recycled
aggregates and a range of other quarry products.
Need natural stone or waste disposal? We work
closely with Environmental Health and other bodies to ensure that our work is
done correctly. With over 60 years of experience, you can rely on us for
high-quality services and products. For a responsible, environmentally
conscious landfill site with on-site recycling facilities,
call
William Thompson & Son today.
