What is recycling?

Recycling is the act of utilizing used products for reuse, or the process of transforming materials into raw materials for manufacturing new products, which may or may not be similar to the original product.

How can recycling help in combating the problem of pollution?

Recycling, simply reduces wastes by diverting the used materials from the trash-cans and bringing them back in use. It helps in the conservation of our resources and slows down the process of their depletion. Recycling also optimizes financial cost of production, for example aluminum cans are cheaper to recycle than to be manufactured from raw materials, steel is 100% recyclable and can be used indefinitely. Benefits of recycling can be categorized into the following:

• Energy savings
• Environmental protection
• Conservation of natural resources
• Economization of production costs
• Creates job opportunities

What are hazardous wastes?

Hazardous wastes are any solid, liquid, or contained gaseous materials which are no longer used and, if not handled or disposed of properly, could damage or pollute the land, air, or water. They can also cause injury or death to exposed individuals. A waste is hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

• IGNITABILITY — Ignitable vapors can create fires under certain conditions. Examples include liquids, such as solvents that readily catch fire, and friction sensitive substances.
• CORROSIVITY — Corrosive wastes include those that are acidic and those that are capable or corroding metal, such as tanks, containers, drums, and barrels.
• REACTIVITY — Reactive wastes are unstable under normal conditions. They can create explosions and/or toxic fumes, gases, and vapors when mixed with water.
• TOXICITY — Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed. When toxic wastes are disposed of on land, contaminated liquid may drain from the waste and pollute ground water.

Is there really a way to utilize our wastes?

Yes, waste can to a large extent be utilized gainfully for reuse, fertilization, and production. Waste utilization does not only help in reduction of waste but also impacts environment, positively. It also helps us conserve our environment and the natural resources. For example composting is a very efficient way to utilize farm and domestic waste for fertilizing our agricultural lands, gardens and lawns. It is cheaper than inorganic waste and has lesser environmental impacts.

How should we dispose hazardous waste?

• Don't discard hazardous waste into household trash
• Keep hazardous products in the original containers
• Never mix chemical wastes
• Never reuse any pesticide or chemical container for any other purposes as the residues remaining in the container can contaminate other materials
• Use non-hazardous alternatives whenever possible.
• Call KODIAWASTE if you are not sure about how to dispose of household hazardous waste.