Environmental awareness plays a huge role in today's world. Waste sorting has become a daily habit. Faced with the growing challenges of pollution and over-consumption, waste sorting represents a crucial step towards a more sustainable future.
Among the various colorful garbage cans that adorn our streets, the yellow sorting garbage can stands out as the one responsible for conserving recyclable materials. As such, it offers an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.
Find out everything you need to know about the yellow sorting garbage can, including what belongs in it, the benefits of this environmentally-friendly gesture and common mistakes to avoid.
The benefits of selective sorting in reducing waste
Selective sorting, the cornerstone of eco-responsible waste management, has established itself as one of the most effective means of combating ever-increasing environmental pollution. To this end, the yellow sorting garbage can stands as a tangible symbol of a lasting commitment to safeguarding the environment.
Indeed, the selective sortingis to collect and separate different types of waste according to their constituent materials. This strategic separation aims to channel recyclable materials into specific processing chains, where they can be transformed into new resources rather than relegated to landfill. Selective sorting, by extension, functions as a key process in the circular economy cycle, encouraging reuse and recycling to minimize the demand for new raw materials.
With this in mind, sorting packaging via the yellow sorting garbage can has been introduced. The yellow sorting garbage can now plays a key role in this process. Plastic, metal and cardboard packaging account for most of the waste. that have to be disposed of. The latter constitute a significant proportion of waste generated in the majority of communities, especially in individual households.
Consequently, rigorous selective sorting of different types of waste would undeniably help to reduce the environmental impact of these materials and preserve our limited resources.
The difference between general-purpose and sorting garbage cans
The garbage can, whether all-purpose or for sorting, embodies an essential interface between our consumption habits and our commitment to the environment. These everyday receptacles are much more than mere containers; they reflect our attitude to waste management and our responsibility to the planet.
The general-purpose garbage canoften familiar under his gray suitis a final destination for waste that is not specifically destined for recycling. It collects a variety of items, from leftovers to plastic products that are not recyclable.
On the other hand, sorting garbage cans, such as the yellow sorting garbage can, are reserved specifically for recycling waste. Often brightly colored, it represents an opportunity to give a second life to the materials we use every day. The plastic, metal and cardboard packaging that finds its way into the sorting garbage can is a link in the chain of the circular economy. Rather than being lost in landfill, they are collected, sorted and transformed into new resources, reducing the impact on nature.
The sorting garbage can also highlights the importance of the individual and collective responsibility. By correctly sorting materials, avoiding sorting errors and eliminating contaminants, everyone plays an active part in preserving the environment. Every plastic wrapping or aluminium can placed in the sorting garbage can is a step towards reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. What's more, whether it's the all-purpose garbage can or the sorting bin, each has a lasting impact.
Authorized waste in the yellow sorting garbage can
The yellow sorting garbage can, with its distinctive badge, is a springboard to a more sustainable future. It houses a wide variety of items that have the potential to benefit from new lives through recycling. Here's a brief description of all the categories of items commonly accepted in the yellow sorting garbage can, and an overview of how each material can be transformed into valuable resources.
Plastic waste
Plastic is an extremely versatile material, present in almost every aspect of everyday life. Indeed, it is found in a multitude of everyday objects. Despite its ubiquity, plastic is one of the most problematic materials when it comes to waste management. That's why it's so important to sort plastic packaging properly.
What's more, their recycling enables them to be transformed into new products, thereby reducing dependence on virgin raw materials. In general, plastic waste can be transformed into textile fibers, fleece fabrics or even new packaging, thus closing the loop in the plastic life cycle. However, not all plastics are created with the same basic chemical materials. As a result, only plastic packaging bearing resin codes such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is allowed in the yellow sorting garbage can.
For example, when it comes to plastic bottles only bottles of water, juice, soda and other plastic drinks can be disposed of in the yellow sorting garbage can. Just be sure to remove the caps and dispose of them separately. However, some recycling centers also accept plastic caps. As far as food packaging is concerned, yoghurt pots, plastic trays and packaging for food products such as cheese are allowed in the yellow sorting garbage can.
However, it is advisable to clean these containers beforehand to avoid possible contamination. In the category of beauty product bottles, the yellow sorting bin can only accept: the following bottles of shampoo, shower gel and lotion, and other recyclable plastic personal care products. We recommend that you empty and clean these bottles before disposing of them.
As for the plastic bag and plastic filmThe presence of these items in the yellow sorting garbage can is also approved, but this depends on the region. Make sure you put them in a single bag to prevent them from getting tangled up in the sorting machines.
Metal packaging
Metal packaging, such as aluminum cans or steel tins, is highly desirable in the yellow garbage can. Proper sorting of metal packaging helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and extend the useful life of these materials. Visit metal packaging are highly recyclable and can be transformed into new products without losing their essential properties. Rightly so, they are ranked among the most important materials to recycle, since they can be melted down and then transformed into new products without any significant loss of quality.
Among the metal packaging to be disposed of in the yellow sorting garbage can are aluminum cans, for example. Visit aluminum recycling requires considerably less energy than production from raw materials. The steel cans generally used for canned foods, such as vegetables and soups, are also approved for disposal in the yellow recycling garbage can. However, it is important to rinse them to remove any food residues before disposal.
Cardboard packaging
The cardboard packagingCardboard, commonly used for food and beverage products, can also find its way into the yellow sorting garbage can. Cardboard recycling processes are well established, and sorting these materials saves resources and minimizes the amount of waste ending up in landfill.
However, it is important to note that not all types of cardboard are accepted. Cartons soiled with food residues or other contaminants can disrupt the recycling process and should be avoided.
However, cardboard, often used to package foodstuffs, drinks and other products, is allowed in the yellow sorting garbage can because it is easy to recycle and transform into a new resource. The cardboard packaging that is generally accepted in the yellow sorting garbage can is primarily the cardboard boxes used for cereals, pasta, electronics and many other products. They should be folded flat to save space in the sorting garbage can.
Cartons used for dairy products, juices and other drinks are also accepted. However, it is essential to follow any specific instructions for recycling plastic caps on each carton. Finally, it's the cardboard packaging used for juices, milk and other beverages that can often be recycled. Make sure they are emptied before throwing them in the recycling garbage can.
Common mistakes to avoid when sorting in the yellow garbage can
Although sorting may seem straightforward, common mistakes can compromise the efficiency of the recycling process and lead to contamination of recyclable materials. Understanding these errors is essential to ensure proper selective sorting, while enabling the yellow sorting garbage can to fulfill its role in waste reduction. Here's a non-exhaustive list of products banned from the yellow garbage can
Non-recyclable products
One of the most common mistakes is to dispose of non-recyclable products in the yellow sorting garbage can. These are :
- Non-recyclable plastics
- Glass products
- Organic waste
- Batteries
In fact, certain types of plastic, such as chemical packaging, plastic toys and disposable utensils, are not accepted in the yellow sorting garbage can. To avoid these errors, it is advisable to check the resin codes on packaging to determine its recyclability. Glass should never be thrown into the yellow garbage can. Instead, it should be deposited in specific glass collection bins. The same applies to food waste, garden scraps and other organic matter. The latter are forbidden in the yellow sorting garbage can, as they can contaminate recyclable materials. Batteries are known to contain substances that are harmful to the environment. For this reason, they must be disposed of at appropriate collection points for safe recycling.
Contaminants
In addition to non-recyclable products, contaminants are a major source of problems in selective sorting. When inappropriate items are thrown into the yellow sorting garbage can, they contaminate recyclable materials and make the recycling process more difficult. Here are a few examples of contaminants to avoid:
Soiled products
Packaging soiled with food residues, grease or other substances can contaminate other recyclable materials. They are not absolutely suitable for the yellow sorting garbage can. For this reason, we recommend rinsing packaging before disposal.
Labels and stickers not removed
Plastic labels and stickers can interfere with sorting machines. Remove them from packaging before placing it in the yellow sorting garbage can.
Threads and strings
Metal wires, strings and ties can wrap around sorting equipment and cause problems that delay or prevent effective recycling of waste. It is essential to remove these items from packaging before disposal.
Unemptied liquid containers
Un-emptied liquid containers can leak and contaminate other recyclable materials. Empty them before disposing of them in the yellow sorting garbage can.
The consequences of contamination
Contamination of recyclable materials has a significant impact on the recycling process. Processing facilities have to devote more time and resources to sorting contaminated materials, which can lead to a reduction in the quality of recycled materials and an increase in costs. What's more, contaminated materials may end up being rejected from the recycling process and sent to landfill, thus negating the overall waste reduction efforts of the selective sorting process. It is therefore vital to avoid common sorting errors in order to maximize recycling efficiency and preserve the value of recyclable materials. To do this, you need to adopt good sorting practicesto help reduce waste and protect the environment. It is absolutely essential that
