The world is becoming a greener place. The Green Revolution is fast gaining participants and converts. Every day, more and more people, businesses, and schools around the world are greening up their lives and working toward lessening their carbon footprint. In recent years, the influx of clean and green products has made reducing waste easier and more affordable. At Waste Wise, we are helping lead the charge toward saving the planet by helping people recycle their waste.

Recycling is one aspect of the green lifestyle that is quickly picking up speed and gaining traction. Once only found in the larger towns and population centers, recycling facilities are quickly spreading to more rural areas across the western world. Because of this, businesses, private citizens, and schools are looking for ways to promote recycling. These people are turning to Waste Wise for help finding long lasting, strong, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing bins for recycling.

Fiberglass Recycling Bins

Fiberglass bins for recycling have been around for generations, but have only recently caught on as a popular choice for recycling bins. Their popularity can be at least partially attributed to their pleasing looks and their non-bulky construction. Typically, these bins range in size from about 55 gallons to 73 gallons, which makes them a little smaller than many other recycling bins. While some may see smaller size as a drawback, many businesses and schools find the size makes the bins more versatile and much easier to integrate into a business.

Recycled Plastic Bins For Recycling

It seems like a novel idea: recycle your used goods in a recycled recycling bin. That is the beauty of a plastic recycling bin. As a product of what it promotes, plastic bins lead by example. They are also a versatile bin and a fitting container for many different types of refuse. From plastics to glass and paper to lumber, plastic bins are very versatile and can be designed to fit many different styles, shapes, budgets, and uses.

At Waste Wise, we sell recycled plastic recycling bins for use on city streets, inside lunchrooms at schools and offices, and for private use. Please contact us for more information on these versatile and customizable bins for recycling.

Steel Constructed Recycling Bins

Of course, nothing is more synonymous with strength than steel. At Waste Wise, we offer steel constructed recycling bins that can be tailored to almost any space. Steel bins for recycling can be constructed in almost any way, from very large and high capacity to smaller and lower capacity. They can also be made to fit the nooks and crannies of an office, lunchroom, or anywhere in need of recycling.

As opposed to the molding of both plastic and fiberglass, steel construction allows these recycling bins to be more versatile and more attractive to many consumers. The construction also allows these bins to be great for both outdoor and indoor applications. The consumer or businesses making the purchase can many times dictate the bin’s design and number of openings. This makes them the perfect bins for schools, businesses, and activity centers.

Though most of the American population is on board with recycling, recycling rates dramatically increase when the act of recycling is simple and hassle free. The increased number of recycling bins at home, at work, and in public places has resulted in far less recyclable material in landfills.

However, current recycling programs still ask that people sort their recyclables into various containers. Though this may not seem ‘difficult,’ studies have shown that single stream recycling containers increases household recycling significantly.

How Single Stream Recycling Containers and Programs Work

With single stream recycling containers, all recycled materials are collected in a single bin and then sorted at the recycling facility. The city of Boston recently conducted a 4-month study with single stream recycling and the results were surprising. During the study period, single stream recycling bins resulted in 40% less trash in the landfills and increased recycling by 20%.

There are numerous reasons why single stream bins lead to increased recycling volumes among homeowners. Multiple recycling bins consume more space and many people, particularly those in smaller city homes, don’t have the extra space for multiple recycling containers. It may be easier to throw away garbage than to keep 4 recycling containers below the sink. Also, many areas offer recycling of some materials, but not all. One neighborhood may offer glass and paper recycling, but not plastic recycling. With single stream recycling, homeowners have the option to recycle more types of materials.

Less work sorting on the part of homeowners means increased work at the recycling facility. The process isn’t all manual. Recycling depots use a variety of techniques, such as magnets or electronic sorters to compartmentalize the materials. Many recycling facilities already engaged in sorting in order to weed out non-recyclable materials — and have these processes in place already.

Municipal Cost Savings of Single Stream Recycling

The program not only resulted in significant environmental impact, but cost savings as well. The city of Boston estimates an annual $750,000 savings based on the savings incurred during the 4-month trial period. Fewer household recycling bins mean that cities incur fewer materials costs. Fewer trucks to pick up different types of recyclables also drastically reduce the overhead costs of recycling. Fewer recycling depots mean fewer costs as well. The man-hours and processing cost-per-ton are significantly reduced with single stream recycling depots.

However, implementation of any new program always comes with an initial investment. While single stream recycling may be less expensive in the long run, cities may need to make various investments to start the process including larger trucks, automation machines, and training are just a few of those start up costs.

Environmental Impact

Beyond financial costs, there are environmental costs to consider. A 40% decrease in garbage hitting landfills is a significantly reduced impact on the environment, so long as processing those recycled material does not cause more environmental harm than a landfill. Fewer recycling depots mean less energy consumption and a greener footprint. As a provider of recycling bins in Toronto, our ultimate goal is to encourage the most efficient and effective method of recycling so that we may all enjoy a greener planet.