Recycling good for the environment and economy

It is refuse removal day and waiting patiently on street corners with rickety wagons are informal recyclers, eying bins as they are wheeled to the curb.
Some residents view recyclers are a nuisance, suburban intruders scavenging through rubbish, however the informal recycling sector has experienced significant growth over the years, after all waste is not waste if it has value.
Covering significant distances daily to ensure that they reach serviced areas before bins are emptied by municipal trucks, the collectors dig through rubbish to retrieve any waste with of monetary value.

Also read: Humphreys urges residents to recycle waste

Once sold to dedicated off-set points the material is sorted and sent to recycling mills and factories for conversion into usable and commercially viable products.
It is a good idea to find out what your neighbourhood collectors take.”

Items that should be kept out of bins and separate for waste collector:
• Used office paper
• Brown cardboard boxes
• Food packaging such as cereal, toothpaste, pizza and takeaway boxes.

ALSO READ: Eastleigh recyclers are still a concern

Be sure to remove all food residue.
• Paper grocery delivery and take-away bags
• Milk and juice cartons
• Plastic milk bottles
• Various sized PET soft drink bottles
• Fabric softener bottles
• Aluminium soft drink cans
• Non-perishable food tins

Golden rules for recycling
• Keep recyclable paper clean and dry
As a raw material used in new paper products, it should not be contaminated by wet and rotting food, liquids or pet waste.
• Keep recyclables and wet waste separate.
• Get a bin, box or bucket for your recyclables

Recycling containers don’t need to be fancy or expensive.
• Plastic, cans and tins should be rinsed lightly
• Get the family involved and make sure everyone knows what is recyclable.
• Put the recyclables out on your schedules refuse collection day for the collectors.

For other recyclable items, which are not collected by informal recyclers such as glass, bottle tops and e-waste residents are urged to make use of the Benoni Lakes Lions Club’s Recycling Hub at Belvedere School, Farrarmere.
Marked bins are available for these items and are regularly emptied by dedicated collectors.
Plastic bottle tops and bread tags are collected on behalf of Tops and Tags for Wheelchairs.

For more information WhatsApp Beaulieu Mare on 082 971 5472.