Global Recycling Day

Today is #GlobalRecyclingDay, a global movement since 2018 that has been encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses across the world to be more cognizant of their recycling habits.?

Through our work at Dillon, our passionate waste management specialists help to find ways to prevent waste from being created, minimize how much waste is thrown out, maximize the value of materials and move towards a circular economy.?

Internally, our corporate sustainability goals related to waste management include purchasing items that contain post-consumer recycled materials (74% of our purchasing spending in 2020 was on ‘green’ products) and our offices having access to three-stream waste collection programs (garbage, recycling, and organics). Dillon conducts waste audits of a few offices every two years. The most recent waste audit was completed in 2018 (the 2020 audit was delayed due to the pandemic) and found that on average, we were recycling over half of the waste we produced (52%) through recycling and composting efforts.?

For #GlobalRecyclingDay, we remind you to be conscientious about what you purchase and choose items that have less or recyclable packaging and are more durable, and to donate or sell items that can be reused where you can.? Here are a few key tips to help you be a better recycler:?

• Avoid ‘wishcycling’, or putting items that are not accepted in recycling bins hoping they will be recycled. Refer to municipal recycling guides and apps to learn how to properly sort your waste and rinse out your containers as contaminated containers can spoil other recyclable materials, such as paper.
• Keep hazardous materials out of your recycling bin. Common hazardous materials include compact fluorescent light bulbs, full aerosol sprays, batteries, and battery-containing items (like toys and electronics). Check for your municipal drop-off center or collection programs.?
• Keep electronics out of your recycling bin. If reusable, try to donate or sell, and if not, check your municipal website for where to drop electronics off. Many stores will take back your electronics too!?
• Clothes and textiles are not recyclable. These can become twisted in recycling facility equipment and make for expensive shut-downs and repairs. Repair, donate, or sell gently used clothing and textiles.
• Hot beverage cups are not recyclable. Although it may seem like paper, most cups have a plastic liner inside, which is considered contamination by most paper mills. The dyes used on cups can also downgrade the value of materials in reprocessing systems.
• Grease can make your pizza box non-recyclable. Tear up your box and recycle the non-greasy side. Check your organics collection program to see if greasy cardboard is accepted.
• Not all paper is recyclable. Paper that has plastic attached should not be recycled, such as cardboard or paper packaging that contains plastic ties or other components.?

For more about Global Recycling Day, please visit: https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/??