The following is from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for recycling, The Quest for Less:

"Recycling is a series of activities that includes the collection of used, reused, or unused items that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing the recyclable products into raw materials, and remanufacturing the recycled raw materials into new products.

Consumers provide the last link in recycling by purchasing products made from recycled content. Recycling also can include composting of food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic materials."

Source: The Quest for Less, Chapter 2, Section 2, Environmental Protection Agency

Glass, plastics, paper, aluminum, steel, and some electronics are considered recyclable products. Even recycling cell phones helps the environment. It saves energy and keeps usable materials out of landfills. Cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are made of precious metals, copper, and plastics, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Recycling conserves these materials so they can be turned into new products. Recycling has a number of benefits that help both the environment and the economy.

Visit the EPA website for more information on the benefits of recycling.

Recyclable materials can be collected in a variety of ways. There is curbside collection in neighborhoods, business collections, drop-off centers, etc. Check with your local community to determine what recycling facilities are available and what products can be recycled at those facilities.

In your notes, answer the following questions:

1. What types of items are considered to be recyclable?
   
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   Check Your Answer

   Glass, plastics, paper, aluminum, steel, and some electronics such as cell phones are considered recyclable.
2. What are the two major benefits to recycling?
   
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   Recycling saves energy and keeps materials out of landfills.
3. What are some ways that recyclable materials can be collected?
   
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   Check Your Answer

   Curbside collection, business collections, and drop-off centers are some of the ways that recyclable materials can be collected.

Recycling in action: