What is it?

Agricultural pest containers are the receptacles that contain pesticides and herbicides utilized in agricultural practices. Once all substance within the container is utilized, the container must be properly rinsed and disposed of. Because of the widespread use of these containers across the nation, an industry non-profit, the Agricultural Container Recycling Council (ACRC) was initiated in an effort to safely manage this growing waste stream.

Why recycle?

Pesticides and herbicides do pose a threat to human and environmental health and must therefore be disposed of in a responsible manner. According to the ACRC, more than 135 million lbs. of plastic containers have been recycled since 1992. Proper processing, collection and recycling of these containers reduce water contamination, reduce littering, avoid clogging of drains and avoid contamination of the local ecosystem.

How to recycle?

Agriculture pest containers, if not processed correctly, get classified as hazardous toxic waste; therefore, the CA Department of Toxic Substance (DTSC) requires users to rinse the pesticide container three times before it can be disposed of. The rinsate from this process is then poured into the container where the pesticides are mixed and diluted before their final application. The ACRC recycles agricultural pesticide containers as long as they are composed of HDPE plastic and are less than 55 gallons in volume. There are also statewide drop off locations where generators can drop off the containers.

What is it?

Aluminum is the third most abundant element on Earth and the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Throughout nature, aluminum is found and extracted from ore, with bauxite ore representing the source of most of the world’s aluminum. This diverse material is used in a variety of transportation, packaging and construction applications. In 2012, within the United States, transportation accounted for 34% of domestic consumption, mostly for passenger automobiles; packaging accounted for another 26% of total domestic consumption.

Why recycle?

The United States recycled 62 million aluminum cans in 2012. Producing aluminum cans from a recycled feedstock uses 95% less energy compared to the utilization of new aluminum; this closed-loop system of recycling provides a steady source of recycled aluminum for cans. By reusing already established stocks, the need to mine bauxite to produce aluminum is reduced, saving natural resources, time and money.

How to recycle?

The easiest means of recycling aluminum is to discard of it in a curbside recycling bin or the most convenient recycling receptacle when not at home. Ten states currently employ a deposit-refund system for beverage containers; this system assesses a small fee on the purchase of designated beverage containers with the fee re-administered to the consumer upon return at select collection sites. Most other large aluminum items, not containing any hazardous material, can be hauled to a metal recycler in exchange for monetary value.

What is it?

Automotive batteries are usually a type of lead acid battery used to start the engine. Lead acid batteries do not generate voltage on their own; they only store a charge from another source. The main types of lead-acid batteries include flooded, sealed, valve regulated, absorbed glass matte, and gel; the battery consists of lead and lead dioxide plates submerged in an electrolyte solution of water and sulfuric acid.

Why recycle?

A lead-acid battery can contain anywhere between 60-80 percent recycled plastic and lead; this continual reuse of the batteries physical components enables the conservation of these resources. Additionally, automotive batteries are important to recycle because the lead poses a threat to soil, water and living organisms; lead is a neurotoxin that can be harmful to human health and can accumulate in an ecosystem.

How to recycle?

The most convenient means of recycling an automotive battery is to bring it into a local auto-store; many states require retailers to offer take-back services. When purchasing a new battery anywhere in California, you will be charged a $5 return incentive payment if you do not provide an old one at the time of purchase. These strict laws have made automotive batteries one of the most recycled products in the U.S. with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placing the recycling rate at 96%. One may also take these batteries to a local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program.

What is it?

Clothing and textiles are fabrics spun from a variety of materials which could include: cotton, silk, polyester, and wool to name a few. Clothing styles and materials vary around the globe and help to define diverse cultures. Textiles refers to any fabric utilized in a decorative of functional manner and could include an application as bed sheets, towels, upholstery, curtains, etc.

Why recycle?

Recycling clothing and textiles not only diverts these reusable resources from wasting away in landfills, but also reduces the amount of natural resources and energy needed to produce new versions of these goods. Cotton, one of the prominent materials used in the modern clothing industry results in massive amounts of farmland and water usage; 22.5% of all insecticide and 10% of all pesticide utilized domestically goes towards cotton farming (mac-recycling.com). The mass amounts of water used in cotton production can result in pesticide runoff which can pollute nearby streams and ecosystems.

How to recycle?

Donation and reuse of clothing and textiles is always the first option when an individual wishes to discard of these materials. Some recyclers do accept clothing and textiles through their curbside collection program; however, inquiries should be made with all recycling companies before placing these materials in the recycle bin. Some private companies do offer recycling options through collection bins and mail back programs.

What is it?

Corrugated cardboard is a paper based material used in various applications including: shipping boxes, product packaging such as cereal and shoe boxes and are utilized in the product of recycled content shipping boxes and paperboard. Paper and paperboard composed 28% of U.S. municipal solid waste generation in 2011.

Why recycle?

Recycling corrugated cardboard decreases the amount heading to landfills, ultimately saving space in landfills while simultaneously supplying the paper industry with a valuable feedstock in which to produce recycled content cardboard products. The high volume of corrugated cardboard used around the world make this material a recyclable commodity.

How to recycle?

Corrugated cardboard can be placed in residential, curbside carts but must first be broken down. Corrugated cardboard does hold monetary value, but do to its widespread abundance the material is usually only bought and sold in bulk quantities. Commercial entities who utilize large quantities of corrugated cardboard will employ a bailer in order to effectively store and transport the material.

Benefits of Recycling

- In 2012, the recovery rate for old corrugated containers (OCC) was a record high 91%, up from 54% in 1993. (Corrugated Packaging Alliance)

- 34% of recovered corrugated cardboard is exported (Corrugated Packaging Alliance).

- Some corrugated cardboard is treated with a wax lining in applications where cold or wet items are being transported. This lining does not dissolve in water and therefore the typical recycling process will not work. Alternative recycling options for these special materials are emerging. (Corrugated Packaging Alliance).

What is it?

“Sharps” is often the common term used to describe needles, syringes and lancets that are utilized in a personal manner to treat a variety of ailments. In United States, there are an estimated 9 million people who use needles and syringes to manage their medical conditions at home (U.S. FDA). This results in the use of over 3 billion sharps to be disposed of outside of the health care system each year (U.S. FDA).

Why recycle?

It is important to properly dispose of sharps because they pose a potential health hazard if an individual is penetrated; the health hazard lies in possible transmission of any disease or contaminate present on the used sharp. Improper disposal puts waste management workers, janitors, housekeepers, and household members at an increased likelihood of coming into contact with these sharps. It is crucial that safe sharp disposal is practiced whether an individual is at home, work, school, or traveling.

How to recycle?

Never place loose needles and other sharps in household trash, public trash cans, recycling bins, or down the toilet. Some pharmacies and hospitals have collection programs for needles, lancets, and syringes which can be utilized by their patients. Home needle destruction devices offer a means of rendering sharps harmless by exposing them to high heat, thereafter the resulting components can be safely disposed of in the trash. Mail-back disposal programs allow users to mail used sharps to licensed facilities as a safe disposal option. Sharps can also be disposed of through the local household hazardous waste program.