Recycling is good.
On one hand, an item that is recycled is something less to go into landfill.
Recycling also helps preserve scarce natural resources.
Finally, it generally takes less energy to create a new product from a recycled one, than it would using completely new resources.
So given these three excellent reasons to recycle, the question about what can you recycle needs to be addressed.
Part of the answer will depend on the facilities available to you locally.
Paper, card, cans and glass bottles are all widely recyclable as are a wide range of plastic bottles and cartons.
For the householder, many of these forms of waste need to be separated either into the specific types or into general recycling and non recycling waste streams.
Businesses need to take special consideration of their corporate responsibilities with regard to waste generation.
Many commercial waste collection companies will provide specific recycling collections, particularly card, or charge less for a mixed recycling collection (including paper, plastics and card) than for a traditional collection with both recyclable and non recyclable materials that will end up as landfill, so instilling a recycling culture amongst staff can have financial as well as ecological advantages.
Other specific legislation will apply to certain items.
In particular electrical and electronic equipment are covered in the UK by the WEEE regulations which means that they need to be properly recycled.
As a guide if an item of electrical equipment falls into one of the following categories, you can and should recycle it: Does it have a plug? Does it use batteries or does it need charging? Does it have the crossed-out wheelie bin logo on it? If the answer to the above questions are yes, then recycle the device! Examples will range from television remote controls through to the televisions themselves.
Kettles, toasters, irons, power tools and hair dryers should all be recycled rather than dumped into landfill and fridges and freezers need to be properly disposed of so that the refrigerant gas can be recovered and disposed of properly and safely before the appliance is itself recycled.
Batteries can now be recycled in the UK as most stores that sell them now have to provide a means to collect and recycle old batteries.
Other items like printer cartridges, glasses, carpets and even books and CDs are all items that can and should be recycled although it may be better to find someone who can reuse them, whether by giving them to charity or a local school to resell and raise some hard cash.