In order to reduce the impact of climate change and ensure the proper use of raw materials, recycling is essential. This is one of the most accessible tools that all citizens should use to reduce their environmental impact and, moreover, to better manage natural resources and raw materials. However, questions often arise about how to recycle correctly and where to dispose of each type of waste. Fortunately, there are different types of waste containers where you can deposit the waste we generate daily in our homes.
In this article, we will tell you about the different types of garbage containers that exist, what waste is deposited in each one and how to differentiate them so that you can recycle more effectively.
Recycle at Home
Recycling at home is the first step towards contributing individually to environmental protection. Recycling is a process that aims to convert waste into new products or materials, thus avoiding the waste of materials that can be reused. This process helps to reduce the consumption of new raw materials, decrease energy expenditure and, as a result, reduces air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
To understand the importance of recycling, it is necessary to know a series of relevant data:
- Recycling one tonne of paper can prevent the felling of up to 16 medium-sized trees.
- For every glass bottle recycled, enough energy is saved to power a television for 3 hours.
- Recycling plastic contributes significantly to the reduction of solid waste that takes hundreds of years to decompose.
Recycling is becoming increasingly important, not only because it can contribute to environmental conservation, but also because there are many recyclable materials. These range from paper and cardboard to glass, plastics, metals and certain electronic waste.
Many cities organize environmental education campaigns about waste and recycling, promoted by organizations such as Ecoembes and Ecovidrio. These campaigns aim to raise public awareness about the importance of reducing the amount of waste we generate.
Types of Garbage Containers
In our streets and cities we can see different types of garbage containers. These containers allow waste to be separated according to its type of material, making recycling possible. Below, we show you the main types of recycling containers and what should be deposited in each of them.
Yellow Container
The yellow bin is one of the most well-known. Plastic containers, cans, and cartons should be placed in this bin . It is estimated that each person uses more than 2.500 containers per year, with more than half of them made of plastic. Cardboard and paper packaging, although it may seem suitable for this bin, should go in the blue bin, which we will discuss later.
What waste should be deposited in the yellow container?
- Plastic bottles and containers such as those for water, juices, soft drinks and cleaning products.
- Aluminum and steel containers, such as cans of preserves and beverages.
- Cartons of milk, juices or broths.
- Plastic packaging for dairy products.
What should not be thrown in the yellow container?
- Paper and paperboard.
- Glass.
- Plastic buckets, toys or hangers.
- Household appliances or batteries.
An important recommendation is to clean and flatten the containers before depositing them; this reduces their volume and facilitates the recycling process.
Blue Container
The blue container is for all paper and cardboard waste . It's important to remember that paper and cardboard items should be folded to take up as little space as possible inside the container.
What can we throw in the blue container?
- Cardboard boxes for products such as cereal, shoes or electronic products.
- Newspapers, magazines, brochures or notebooks.
- Paper and cardboard packaging that does not contain other attached materials.
What should not be thrown in the blue container?
- Briks, although they contain cardboard, should be yellow since they are a mixture of materials.
- Dirty or used paper, such as napkins, greasy papers, or similar.
- Diapers, which should go in the organic or grey waste container.
Recycling just one tonne of paper can save up to 16 medium-sized trees, highlighting the importance of making good use of this type of container.
Green Container
The green container is exclusively for glass . Please note that glass bottles, jars, and bottles are 100% recyclable and never lose their quality during the recycling process.
What waste should we put in the green container?
- Glass bottles, such as those for alcoholic beverages, water or soft drinks.
- Glass jars and bottles, for example, for preserves or cosmetic products.
Remember to remove the caps and lids before throwing glass into this container, as these items must be placed in the yellow container.
What should you not throw in the green bin?
- Mirrors or window panes.
- Light bulbs or fluorescent lamps that contain materials other than glass.
- Ceramic or porcelain objects, such as broken plates or cups.
Brown Container
The brown bin is relatively new in many cities and is responsible for collecting organic waste , that is, waste that comes from food scraps and can be transformed into compost.
What can we throw in the brown container?
- Leftover fruits and vegetables.
- Eggshells, nuts or shellfish.
- Leftover cooked food (without excess oil).
- Infusion bags and coffee grounds.
What should not be thrown in the brown container?
- Paper or cardboard with traces of grease.
- Non-biodegradable waste, such as plastics or metals.
- Remains of cleaning products or plastic containers, which should go in the yellow bin.
Grey Container
The gray bin, also called the non-recyclable waste bin, is where we should put all waste that cannot be recycled or that doesn't fit in the other types of bins. It's important not to mix hazardous waste, such as electronic devices or chemicals, with this bin; these must be taken to a designated recycling center.
What can be thrown in the grey container?
- Diapers, pads and other personal hygiene products.
- Damaged textile material, for example, old clothes or torn rags.
- Rubber balls, broken toys or kitchen utensils that cannot be recycled.
It is essential to verify that we are not throwing recyclable waste into this container, since it will go directly to the landfill.
Special waste
In addition to the containers mentioned, there are special containers for certain types of waste that require specific handling. Examples of this waste include:
- Battery containers.
- Containers for expired medicines, available in pharmacies.
- Used clothing containers, often managed by NGOs for reuse or recycling.
- Used oil containers, which allow cooking oil to be recycled without contaminating the water.
These containers are not as common as domestic ones, so it is important to locate them in the clean points of each municipality.
Ultimately, knowing and using the different types of waste containers correctly is essential to improve waste management and move towards a more sustainable future. With small changes in our daily habits, we can make a big difference in preserving the planet.