Recycling
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
95% of American's support recycling but only 35% of people actually recycle. Most people find it confusing and don't fully understand what can and cannot be recycled.
Waste - Where Does It All Go?
Landfill
Burying waste in the ground can case groundwater pollution as toxic substances are released. Rotting organic waste also emits methane, which is one of the prime contributor to greenhouse gases.
Incineration
Burning any kind of waste can cause air pollution. Burning plastics and other manufactured substances also produces residual toxic ash that often gets buried in landfills.
Composting
Organic matter such as food waste, agriculture waste, and plant material can be used to make biogas that generates heat and electricity while also acting as a fertilizer when returned to the soil.
Recycling
Glass, metals, paper, and some types of plastics can be recycled into new products. This process takes much less energy than manufacturing the same items from raw materials. It also saves resources.
Recycling Codes
Not everything can be recycled. Only items with recycling codes are eligible. Recycling codes consist of the numbers 1 through 7. Sometimes below the numbers you also find the abbreviations for the plastic type (PETE, HDPE, etc.). The most widely accepted plastics for recycling are numbers 1 and 2.
Typically, Soda bottles and caps should be separated before recycling - usually bottles are #1 and caps are #5 (different types of plastic do not recycle together at the processing facility) but double check your local recycling guidelines.
The products shown below are just examples, so when sorting recyclables always check the recycling number imprinted on the bottom of the plastic item.
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE
plastic bottles cosmetic containers cooking oil bottles
medicine containers
ALWAYS RECYCLABLE
HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE
detergent bottles
grocery bags
milk containers
shampoo bottles
ALWAYS RECYCLABLE
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
plumbing pipes shower curtains
window frames
garden hose
SOMETIMES RECYCLABLE
LOW DENSITY POLYETHLYENE
6 pack rings
wrapping films
sandwich bags
squeezable bottles
SOMETIMES RECYCLABLE
POLYPROPYLENE
yogurt containers
medicine bottles
bottle caps
straws
tupperware
ALWAYS RECYCLABLE
POLYSTYRENE
disposable dishware egg cartons
take-out containers
packing peanuts styrofoam insulation
SOMETIMES RECYCLABLE
OTHER*
They are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic. SOMETIMES RECYCLABLE
Biodegradable plastics, like cups made of corn, are not recyclable.
“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.”— Bill Nye, the science guy
History of Recycling Codes
The recycling symbol code was designed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988. Since recyclers target post-consumer plastics, the recycling symbols are most commonly found on household packaging materials.
The SPI and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for use of the recycling code are the following:
Used on bottles and rigid containers in compliance with laws in 39 states (US).
Identifies resin (type of plastic) content only.
Must be as inconspicuous as possible, so the consumer's purchasing decision is not influenced.
Must not be modified in any way.
No claims of recyclability or the word 'recyclable' near the code symbol.
Molded or imprinted on all 8 ounce to 5 gallon containers that can accept the 1/2" minimum size symbol.
Must appear on the container bottom as close to the center as possible.
Local Recycling Guidelines
Every jurisdiction is different, so it is important to follow local guidelines and requirements.
Brevard County
Recycling Policies for Residential Areas
Recycling Collection runs once a week, items must be properly rinsed and placed into the automated recycling collection cart with the yellow lid that is provided by Waste Management, Inc. Once items have been placed into the recycling cart be sure to keep the lid closed if you have paper items that get wet they are no longer able to be recycled. Plastic lids and caps need to be placed back onto the recyclable items that they belong to, or else they will be too small to be sorted by the equipment at the recycling plant
Guidelines for Recycling
Plastic | Bottles, Jugs, and Tubs (Must be Clean)
Metal | Cooking Spray Cans and Aerosol Cans (Must be Empty)
Glass | Bottles and Jars (Must be Empty and Clean)
Cardboard | Boxes, Tubes, and Drink Cartons (Must be Devoid of Tape)
Paper | Sheets, Folders, Wrapping, Packing Items (Must be Devoid of Staples and Tape)
Orange County
Recycling Policies for Residential Areas
Did you know that recycling is required by code? Per Orange County, FL ordinance 2016-24 Sec. 32-160. – All persons owning or possessing property shall dispose and recycle residential waste materials using either the full service curbside pick-up or designated disposal and recycling sites.
Recycling rolling carts (often with a blue lid) are provided to Orange County citizens at no cost. (Not to be confused with the rolling garbage carts with a green lid). These curbside services are automatically billed to citizens through their property taxes, so make sure to use them. Do not place these recyclable items in plastic garbage bags, place the loose items directly into the rolling cart.
Guidelines for Recycling
Plastic | Bottles, Jugs, and Tubs w/ codes #1-5 (Must be Empty and Clean)
Metal | Tin, Aluminum, and Steel
Glass | Bottles and Jars (Must be Empty and Clean)
Cardboard | Flattened Boxes, Tubes, and Drink Cartons (Must be Devoid of Tape)
Paper | Sheets, Folders, Wrapping, Packing Items, Newspapers, Magazines, Junk Mail, and Books (Must be Devoid of Staples and Tape)
Seminole County
Recycling Policies for Residenital Areas
Seminole County provides its residents with recycling bins and a free curbside collection. When putting items out for curbside pickup do not place your recyclables into plastic bags. If any recyclable items do not fit into your bin, they will picked up on collection day. Pre rinse your items before placing in the bin and remove the lids or caps from the containers as these are made with different plastics. If you are unsure if the item is recyclable throw it away with the landfill waste. Placing items that are not recyclable into the curbside pick up will make your items unable to be gathered for the collection and will most likely result in the bin being left untouched at the curb.
Guidelines for Recycling
Plastic | Bottles, Jugs, and Tubs w/ codes #1-7 (Must be Emtpy and Clean)
Metal | Tin, Aluminum, Steel: Soda & Soup Cans (Must be Empty and Clean)
Glass | Bottles and Jars (Must be Empty and Clean)
Cardboard | Flattened Boxes, Tubes, and Drink Cartons (Must be Devoid of Tape)
Paper | Sheets, Folders, Wrapping, Packing Items, Newspapers, Magazines, Junk Mail, Books , Brown Paper Bags (Must be Devoid of Staples and Tape)
Recycling in Architecture
Reduce
Using non-polluting, durable, and recyclable materials; in the use of prefabrication to reduce construction rubble; and in the use of BIM to minimize errors, waste and improve the design and building processes.
Reuse
Using materials more than once, without being processed, thus requiring no energy. In architecture, ruse can go from reusing materials and construction elements to repurposing structures in adaptive reuse.
Recycle
Is an alternative to discarded materials that do not qualify for reuse and is often cost-effective compared to the use of conventional materials.
Going Beyond Recycling - Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle design framework is inspired by nature: The aim is not only to minimize negative influences but also to leave a positive ecological footprint. As a result, products, processes, buildings and cities will emerge which are safe for humans, healthy for the environment and successful for business.
