What's the Most Recycled Product in the U.S.?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Perhaps the most common manifestation of our urge to be "green" these days is recycling.

After all, it makes intuitive sense to get the most use out of any given object. And when it's applied, recycling generally works as designed, turning waste paper into fresh paper or old aluminum cans into new ones.

But how much of our waste really gets recycled? According to the EPA, roughly one third of our total trash is reused, a percentage that has grown every year since the first Earth Day in 1970--and really took off in the 1990s.

The most recycled product? It's not aluminum cans--only half are recycled. Or even office paper, at more than 70 percent. It's the lead acid batteries from your car. More than 99 percent of such batteries wind up recycled, keeping toxic lead out of landfills and waterways.

That's a good thing as long as the recycling is done properly. Unfortunately, dismantling old lead acid batteries incorrectly is one of the 10 worst pollution problems for the globe, according to the Blacksmith Institute. And that's no way to celebrate Earth Day.

—David Biello

http://www.scientifi...uct-in-10-04-18

[Peikko 1,575]

Water.

[trillium13 84]

I'm still amazed at how behind many places are in terms of recycling. When I lived in NY, you could recycle everything, and they made it easy for you. Just put it in the recycle bin or a clear bag. Simple.

Here in Texas, there is little to no recycling pickup and very little interest in having any. If you do want to recycle, you may be able to drive 50 or more miles to the county dump where they might take it.

It's such a simple thing. To not do it is just lazy in my opinion.

I have noticed there is much more trash here all over the place. And bottles that in other states are returnable. You don't see Coke cans all over the place in places where they have a bottle deposit.

Edited April 20, 2010 by trillium13

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm still amazed at how behind many places are in terms of recycling. When I lived in NY, you could recycle everything, and they made it easy for you. Just put it in the recycle bin or a clear bag. Simple.

Here in Texas, there is little to no recycling pickup and very little interest in having any. If you do want to recycle, you may be able to drive 50 or more miles to the county dump where they might take it.

It's such a simple thing. To not do it is just lazy in my opinion.

I have noticed there is much more trash here all over the place. And bottles that in other states are returnable. You don't see Coke cans all over the place in places where they have a bottle deposit.

Texas doesn't have a CRV?

[natty bumppo 297]

I'm still amazed at how behind many places are in terms of recycling. When I lived in NY, you could recycle everything, and they made it easy for you. Just put it in the recycle bin or a clear bag. Simple.

Here in Texas, there is little to no recycling pickup and very little interest in having any. If you do want to recycle, you may be able to drive 50 or more miles to the county dump where they might take it.

texas does recycle ... illegal aliens

Edited April 20, 2010 by Natty Bumppo

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

texas does recycle ... illegal aliens

Edited April 20, 2010 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[trillium13 84]

Texas doesn't have a CRV?

If you mean the 5 cent bottle deposit, nope.

[natty bumppo 297]

speechless ... or a wimp out?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I'm still amazed at how behind many places are in terms of recycling. When I lived in NY, you could recycle everything, and they made it easy for you. Just put it in the recycle bin or a clear bag. Simple.

Here in Texas, there is little to no recycling pickup and very little interest in having any. If you do want to recycle, you may be able to drive 50 or more miles to the county dump where they might take it.

It's such a simple thing. To not do it is just lazy in my opinion.

I have noticed there is much more trash here all over the place. And bottles that in other states are returnable. You don't see Coke cans all over the place in places where they have a bottle deposit.

Ummm, where do you live? The boonies?

Dallas/Fort Worth and the surrounding metro all have recycling pickup and have had it for the last 20 or so years.....

[trillium13 84]

Ummm, where do you live? The boonies?

Dallas/Fort Worth and the surrounding metro all have recycling pickup and have had it for the last 20 or so years.....

East Texas. Do I need to say more?

I could go into a list of everything here that is at LEAST 10 years behind but I won't bore you with that.

[alienlovechild 75]

It's the lead acid batteries from your car. More than 99 percent of such batteries wind up recycled, keeping toxic lead out of landfills and waterways.

What about other batteries? I've got a lot of used batteries and still can't find a place that will take them. I even found a small car like battery in the woods near a stream next to my house and I need to dispose of it properly.

[Amby 490]

brain cells!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

East Texas. Do I need to say more?

I could go into a list of everything here that is at LEAST 10 years behind but I won't bore you with that.

Yeah, they ever get indoor plumbing yet?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What about other batteries? I've got a lot of used batteries and still can't find a place that will take them. I even found a small car like battery in the woods near a stream next to my house and I need to dispose of it properly.

Don't store used batteries together to dispose of in a group. Even though a battery might not be able to run a toy or game anymore, it might still have a small bit of power left. If several batteries bang together, they can emit a charge which can cause them to ignite. Don't mix old and new batteries together in order to get an electronic item to work. The batteries can ignite, rupture or leak, causing damage to you as well as the electronic item.

Since many types of batteries are considered household waste, you should follow proper guidelines for disposal. Your town or city will most likely have a hazardous waste pick-up or drop-off day. Check with the city's website or newsletter to find what guidelines, if any, should be followed for properly disposing of batteries. Most hazardous waste days are noted in the local newspaper as well.

Many of the regular alkaline batteries are not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of in the normal household trash. For other batteries such as lithium, mercuric, oxide, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride and silver oxide however, it's best to err on the side of caution and follow your town's battery recycling guidelines. The batteries contain elements that can leak into the ground presenting a hazard to the environment. In most cases, batteries can be brought to your local recycling center at any time, or they can be picked up on your town's designated household waste disposal days.

Many automotive stores and other places selling batteries will accept batteries for recycling as well. In addition, there are commercial battery disposal organizations which will recycle your batteries for a small fee. Most of these places can be found using an internet search or by looking in your local business telephone directory. Never take the lazy route and dispose of batteries in a fire. They'll ignite, explode and possibly cause damage to you or the surrounding area.

It's worth it to bring your batteries to your nearest battery recycling location. Not only is it safer for you, but it's safer for the world around you.

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-dispose-of-batteries.htm

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

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