![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/12/Recycling-items-stock.jpg)
Always wondered why people recycle and what is the purpose of it? Well, not only does recycling preserve nature but it also reduces waste and air pollution.
Why recycle?
- Saves the natural resources
- It reduces waste from refills
- Creates job opportunities and boosts our economic growth
- Reduces air and land pollution
- Saves energy
- Keeps the environment clean
- They make expensive products cheaper
Steps to recycling
- Separate the recyclable material from non-recycle materials
- Put the recyclable material in a collection, bin or wheelbarrow
- Take the recycled material to the recycle centre.
Metal recycled material
Metal is usually separated into 2 groups: aluminium and steel.
You can test which metal your waste is by using a magnet. Aluminium metal is non-magnetic whereas steel is magnetic.
There may be a symbol, such as an alu mark, on the product to indicate what metal it is made from.
Drink cans are usually made from aluminium and food cans are usually made from steel.
Most home recycling bins, provided by your local council, usually accept metal.
Deposit used cans at your local recycling bank.
Make sure drink and food cans are clean before recycling.
Aerosol containers can be recycled, but only when they are completely empty.
Metallic plastic film, such as chocolate wrappers, cannot be recycled.
Find out if there is a ‘cash for cans’ scheme operating near you.
List of cans you can recycle includes
- beverage cans,
- food cans,
- aerosol can,
- paint cans,
- screw caps etc
Glass recycled material
- Beer bottle
- Wine bottle
- Food jars
- Juice bottles
- Different alcohol beverages
Paper and board recycled materials
- lokta paper
- origami paper
- ink testing paper
- armour paper
- craft paper
- engineering paper
- magazine paper
- telephone book
Plastic recyclable materials
- Plastic bins
- Plastic bags
- Crates
- Trays
DID YOU KNOW?
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