The other side of recycling

​Many of us work at making sure empty bottles, cans, and paper get into the recycling bin.   However, putting things into the recycling bin is only the first step in recycling.  The recycled materials need a market.  Many factors are included in the marketing side of recycling, including how pure (meaning uncontaminated by other materials) the reclaimed materials are and how the materials can be used.   However, if no one buys items made from recycled materials, the entire system falls apart.  When you are shopping, compare items to see if some are made from recycled materials.  Post-consumer recycled materials include items put into recycling bins by people like us.  However, materials recycled as part of a manufacturing process are important, too, so that these materials are not wasted at the factory.  Once you start checking labels, you will see that many things can be made from recycled materials, including packaging, paper products, and some kinds of plastic items.  Aluminum in particular is valuable as a reclaimed material and has a ready market.