The Earth is a closed system, this means that no resources are received from the outside. All materials that are essential for everyday life must be recycled, from the air we breathe to the fabric we make our clothes from.
The world is a place of limited resources, so we must recycle everything we can. Recycling is ecologically and economically important, it plays a huge role in preserving the life we lead today.


Recycling procedure - paper

• Paper is taken from the bin and deposited in a large recycling container along with paper from other recycling bins.
• The paper is taken to a recycling plant where it is separated into types and grades.
• The separated paper is then washed with soapy water to remove inks, plastic film, staples and glue. The paper is put into a large holder where it is mixed with water to create ‘slurry’.
• By adding different materials to the slurry, different paper products can be created, such as cardboard, newsprints or office paper.
• The slurry is spread using large rollers into large thin sheets.
• The paper is left to dry, and then it is rolled up ready to be cut and sent back to the shops.

Recycling procedure - glass

• The consumer throws glass into a recycle bin.
• Glass is taken from the bin and taken to a glass treatment plant.
• The glass is sorted by colour and washed to remove any impurities.
• The glass is then crushed and melted, then moulded into new products such as bottles and jars. Or it may be used for alternative purposes such as brick manufacture or decorative uses.
• The glass is then sent back to the shops ready to be used again.
• Glass does not degrade through the recycling process, so it can be recycled again and again.

Recycling procedure - aluminium

• The consumer throws aluminium cans and foil into a recycle bin.
• The aluminium is then collected and taken to a treatment plant.
• In the treatment plant the aluminium is sorted and cleaned ready for reprocessing.
• It then goes through a re-melt process and turns into molten aluminium, this removes the coatings and inks that may be present on the aluminium.
• The aluminium is then made into large blocks called ingots. Each ingot contains about 1.6 million drinks cans.
• The ingots are sent to mills where they are rolled out, this gives the aluminium greater flexibility and strength.
• This is then made into aluminium products such as cans, chocolate wrapping and ready meal packaging.
• In as little as 6 weeks, the recycled aluminium products are then sent back to the shops ready to be used again.

Recycling procedure - plastics
There are about 50 different types of plastic. The main types include:

• HDPE – Opaque bottles.
• PVC – Transparent bottles, with a seam running across the base.
• PET – Transparent bottles, with a hard moulded spot in the centre of the base.
• If your home recycling bin doesn’t take plastic bottles, then deposit them at your local recycling bank.
• Clean bottles before recycling them.
• Buy plastic bottles in bulk whenever possible to reduce packaging waste.
• Carriers can be reused next time you're at the shops, or deposit used ones at collection points provided by some supermarkets.

Some interesting information and statistics about recycling plastic can be found on the British Plastics Federation website here.