Erin McNerney, Oscar Merino & Jessica Nguyen
Recycling has become an important activity in fighting pollution. However, it is essential to understand the differences in the recycling system. Egg cartons are an illustrative example. A survey by Earth911.com (a website devoted to recycling) found that most recycling centers (75%) accept number 1 and 2 labeled products. However, only 25% accept 3 through 7. Egg Cartons can be confusing for recycling purposes because they are classified as number 6. Some are made of polystyrene (PS), which is also part of hot beverage cups, plates, protective packaging for furniture and electronics, etc. Others are made of 100% recycled paper.
Polystyrene is an artificial product more commonly known as styrofoam, and was invented by a chemical engineer working for Dow Chemical Co. in the 1940’s. When recycled through the available programs polystyrene egg cartons might be reused again to hold eggs or be made into insulation, light switch plates, take-out boxes, or explosives. More importantly, if not recycled styrofoam will take hundreds of years to biodegrade on its own even when exposed to sunlight and should it be immersed in water, known carcinogens and suspected carcinogens leach out. Furthermore, it is a choking hazard to wild animals and is linked to skin irritation and nervous system disorders in humans.
Egg cartons can be difficult to recycle, especially since most recycling centers do not accept them because of how inefficient they are to recycle. Since egg cartons are not biodegradable in landfills (they require adequate amounts of oxygen and microorganisms), they will quickly build up. Thus, it is important to recycle egg cartons. Publix Supermarkets have egg carton recycling bins by entrances where consumers can drop off used egg cartons. If everyone in the community does this simple action, the number of egg cartons entering landfills can be greatly reduced.
This is very interesting, I recently have started to recycling more and being more self concessions about what I dispose of in the trash. I was not aware of the different codes for particular items. Egg cartons are some of the items that I was not aware of that was difficult to recycle, now that I know that it is not biodegradable, I will be concessions of how I recycle it. Knowing that I can take it to a local Publix Supermarket is also very important information, it is nice to know that local establishments are helping make an impact in the world that we all live in.
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ReplyDeleteI have been recycling for quite some time now, so I know how difficult it can be to understand what can be recycled or to find recycling centers that accept certain recyclables. I always felt bad buying eggs because of the styrofoam containers as I did not know that they were recyclable, but I did know that they did not degrade well. I found out about the recycling bins for plastic bags and styrofoam at Publix Supermarkets from a friend who also recycled and it was such a pleasant surprise. I go to Publix all the time to shop for groceries and there are so many locations, which makes it easy to recycle plastic and styrofoam and, thus, help keep more items out of landfills.
ReplyDeleteEgg cartons are one of the items that I knew that it was key to recycle because of its composition. I am glad that Publix has the outlet for people to recycle them. Issues like this are what aids landfill growth and you are right, if only people could make that extra step, landfill sizes could dwindle down.
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