Not all the containers we consume are recyclable, even those that may seem so, that is why sometimes the local recycling center does not accept all the waste we carry. For example, while plastic bottles are the most widely recycled plastic products, not all bottles are made from the same plastic and their acceptance varies depending on the capabilities of each local recycling center.

In addition, the recycling services can reject your waste for recycling because it is dirty or contaminated since this means that it can no longer be recycled. Another reason facilities may reject materials is because of their shape, since some objects can damage the machinery, such as hooks. Other items that you cannot deposit in the recycling centers are:

• Syringes
• Bowling balls
• Aerosol cans that are not empty
• Plastic bags
• Batteries
• Diapers
• Electronics
• Ceramics

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle, however, for this to happen, it must be treated correctly from the beginning of the recycling chain, that is, from the consumer. The most important thing when it comes to recycling paper is that it does not contain polluting agents, since any type of food, oil, or some other residue makes it unrecyclable and can contaminate the entire batch.

Paper that is not recycled ends up in landfills and although it degrades rapidly compared to other materials since it is not reused, it increases the exploitation of forests and trees in the manufacture of the new paper.

As for cardboard boxes or cardboard in general, which is made up of several layers of paper, it is best to give it a second use whenever possible. On the other hand, failing that, keep them clean and break them so that they can be properly treated in the local recycling centers.

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is all parts of electronic devices or broken devices, such as household appliances, televisions, electric stoves, air conditioners, microwaves, radios, computers, mobile phones, batteries, hard drives, motherboards, circuits, monitors, etc., that we discard.

Most e-waste contains a series of highly polluting materials, including heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, lead, chromium, arsenic or antimony, which not only harm the environment, but are also highly dangerous for human health.

The best way to dispose of electronic waste is by recycling. Electronic waste contains precious metals including gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium, as well as significant amounts of iron, aluminum, and plastics, which can be recycled. Giving away electronic devices that are no longer needed is always the best option, but if it is a product that cannot be repaired, it is important to deposit it at a local recycling center that accepts electronic waste. Recycling centers reclaim many of the materials from which these products are made, including plastics, glass, metal, and aluminum that can be recovered and reused in new electronics.

In the United States, there are 633 material recycling centers. In these local recycling centers, the waste we generate is stored, and that has the capacity to be recycled so that other people or companies can take advantage of it. Waste that is not recycled takes many years to decompose, which pollutes and harms the health of humans and the earth.

In this sense, recycling centers are very important in the fight against environmental pollution, since they can clean, classify and pack a total of 100,000 tons of waste per day. However, the recycling centers cannot do all the work, the waste must have a correct treatment from the consumer, who must separate and clean the waste so that it can be classified correctly in the center and later sent to factories for transformation or processors.

Sanitary landfills are designated sites for the disposal of garbage or other types of solid waste. Large holes are built at these sites into which garbage is buried. Until a few years ago, landfills were a major source of pollution due to the contact of toxic waste with the environment, but today they are designed to prevent waste from reaching and contaminating groundwater.

Sanitary landfills are built with a layering system that isolates debris from air and water, which is vital to preventing pollution. The garbage is compacted in cells to make the most of the available space, for which heavy machinery such as excavators and compaction equipment is used. Some of the polluting byproducts of garbage generation, such as methane, are captured and used to generate electricity. However, landfills continue to represent an important source of pollution, since when they reach their maximum capacity, the land on which they are built will take thousand of years to recover.