Western Disposal

Fun Facts About Recycling!

In our modern world, recycling has a huge environmental impact. Here are 5 facts about recycling you may not have known.

A Glass Bottle Takes a Million Years to Biodegrade
That’s right. Glass bottles are some of the least biodegradable man-made objects, taking one million years to do so, according to Cash for Your Trash by Carl Zimrig. The good news is that glass is easily recyclable. Other products that take a significant amount of time to biodegrade are Styrofoam (5,000 years), plastic diapers and sanitary pads (500 to 800 years).

One Aluminum Can Saves Enough Energy To Power a TV for Three Hours
Recycling aluminum cans conserves a lot of energy, enough to power everyday appliances for hours. According to Zimrig, this energy is equal to the amount a TV uses in three hours or a hundred-watt light bulb uses in 20 hours. Unfortunately, Americans throw away enough aluminum each month to rebuild the nation’s entire commercial air fleet.

Plastic Bags Require Less Energy to Recycle Than Paper Bags
Although plastic bags can’t be recycled from your home’s recycle bin, they are actually easier and require less energy to recycle at a facility than their paper counterparts. Recycling one pound of plastic requires 91% less energy than recycling a pound of paper, according to ReuseIt.com.

Americans Are More Likely to Recycle than Vote
In 2004, about 122 million people went to the polls to vote for president, but 136 million people said they regularly recycle, according to the Washington Post. Still, over the past three decades the amount of trash Americans generate has risen by 87%.

Western Disposal Services is a waste management company with an environmental focus. We offer commercial and residential trash, recycling, and compost services. Call us today at (303) 586-1100 for more information. 

If you've enjoyed our recent blog topics from Western Disposal then check out these other great resources below:

Recycling is easier if you know how and where to do it. Check out these links and recycling tips to reduce waste and live a greener lifestyle.

• The best way to slash the amount of trash you produce every week is to not produce it in the first place. Check out these tips and facts from the EPA on reducing and reusing around your house.
• There is a way to recycle all those plastic bags you come home with from the grocery store. The recycling center CHaRM will recycle plastic bags and electronics.
• If you’re confused about when pizza boxes can and cannot be recycled, take a second to get the facts straight. Earth911.com has solved the pizza box recycling mystery.
• Don’t take the risk of ruining a whole batch of recyclables by putting something in the bin that doesn’t belong. Check out these 10 surprising things you can’t recycle.
• If you’re dreading dealing with all the trash left in the wake of your kid’s next birthday party, consider hosting a greener party. PBS has these tips on hosting parties with recyclable products.

Western Disposal is proud to offer green programs for residences and businesses. Let us help you manage your waste in an eco-friendly way. Call us at (303) 586-1100 for more information. 

Living with Mobility Issues but Want to Recycle? Western Disposal Services Can Help.

A great disposal team will do whatever it can to make recycling as easy as possible for its customers. With drive-in, carry-out, and other helpful recycling services, you’ll be able to recycle even if a mobility issue makes it more difficult for you to take your recycling bin out to the curb. Other services like large item pickups can be set up with just one phone call.

Drive-In Service
You can arrange for your recycling pickup closer to your house if you need to shorten the distance between your front door and the location where your recycling is collected. This service is also useful for residents with extra-long driveways or for those trying to avoid exposure to cold mornings on winter pickup days.

Carry-Out Service
A carry-out service is also available to help you if you have limited mobility or other special considerations. Arrange for a waste management service member to collect your recyclables from the most convenient point for you. This could mean collections from your backyard, front yard, or even side door.

Large Item Pickup
If you need to have a large item removed from your property, just let your disposal service know. Pickups for large items like sofas, old TVs, HVAC units, and filing cabinets are easy to schedule.

Extra Pickups
Sometimes having friends over for a birthday or other special occasion can leave you with lots of empty boxes, bottles, and other things you can recycle after a party. If you find yourself in need of an extra pickup before your next scheduled pickup, one can be arranged for you within 24 hours in most cases.

Western Disposal offers all these services and more. We’re invested in the Boulder County community and regularly hold community recycling events. We also donate to local charities as a way to thank our customers. Look to our friendly team members to handle your recycling, composting, trash, and waste management services. Call us at (303) 586-1100 for more information.

Need Help Organizing Your Recyclable Items? Check Out This Smartphone APP!

Has not knowing where to take certain recyclables ever prevented you from recycling? Now, your Android phone can help you out.

With the My Recycle List app you’ll get the directions, contact information, and other data about your local recycling with the touch of a button. This app allows you to create personalized list as well, making recycling easier than ever. You’ll learn exactly what’s recyclable in your area and where to take certain recyclable items that require special processing.

If you’re looking for a waste management service which wants to make recycling a clear and simple process, contact Western Disposal. Call us at (303) 586-1100 today. 

5 Things to Keep Out of Your Recycle Bin

You might be surprised to find out that even some generally recyclable products may not be recyclable depending on how they’ve been used. Other products can be dangerous to the recycling plant itself if they are picked up by a recycling service and enter certain recycling processes undetected. Here’s what you shouldn’t toss in your recycling bin:

Greasy Pizza Boxes
Although they’re made of cardboard, pizza boxes can’t be recycled. Because of the pizza grease they’ve soaked up, they don’t fare well in the paper recycling process. Recycled cardboard is created in a water mixture, and as everyone knows, oil and water don’t mix. However, you can break off and recycle parts of the box untouched by grease.

Paper Napkins and Towels with Food Debris
After you wipe down your grease-coated stove, don’t throw your paper towel in the recycling. If your paper napkins or towels came in contact with food of any sort—for the same reasons as a pizza box—they’re no longer recyclable.

Juice Boxes with Plastic Coating
You can recycle some juice boxes—just check the label—but if it has the plastic coating common to cardboard drink boxes, you’ll have to throw it away.

Plastic Bags
You may think that you’re helping by sorting your recyclables in plastic bags, but the bags themselves are not recyclable. A better option is to drop off your plastic bags at one of the many supermarkets and stores that now reuse them.

Styrofoam
Styrofoam can be dangerous to a recycling center because it’s highly flammable, so don’t ever toss it in your recycling bin.

Western Disposal is a locally-owned waste management and recycling service working in Boulder County for 41 years. Our attention to detail and community focus make us the best choice for your trash, recycling, and composting needs. Call us today at (303) 586-1100 for more information.