About Torrance, CA

Recycling is now an established and growing part of the waste industry. Recycling Services has many benefits, including saving money and contributing to the environment. The more we recycle, the less waste there will be to dispose of in landfills and incinerators. This will help our planet and ensure that resources are conserved. Recycling also allows for new products to be created that would not have been possible without the raw materials used in the manufacturing process.

Many communities have mandatory recycling laws and provide curbside collection, center operation, or both. These services are important to our planet and the economy because they save both money and energy by not having to transport raw materials to new locations. In addition, recycled materials are less likely to be contaminated than virgin materials. The cleaner the materials are, the higher the value they have in the market.

In the past, most waste was dumped in oceans or in landfills. However, in the 1880’s, NYC Commissioner George Waring instituted a plan that eliminated ocean dumping and required recycling. Today, DSNY’s waste management strategy is designed to reduce the amount of trash sent to incinerators and landfills by maximizing the amount of recyclable material collected. The program’s goals include reducing incinerator emissions, landfill capacity, and the number of waste trucks on the road.

Each city has different rules and regulations for what can and cannot be recycled. To find out more about the guidelines in your area, visit a local recycling website or call the waste removal service you use to ask for more information. Plastic bags, wraps and films, for example, can often be recycled if they are clean and not torn or stained. Styrofoam, on the other hand, is only recycled in some areas if it is clean and not covered with grease.

Other common items that can be recycled are paper and cardboard. This includes white and colored paper, junk mail, newspapers (glossy inserts are OK), magazines, manila folders and legal pads, index and greeting cards, pamphlets, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, Post-It notes and corrugated cardboard. Most municipalities have drop-off sites for consumer electronics, such as computers, printers and TVs.

Another great option for waste management is food scraps and plant matter, which can be turned into soil fertilizer by composting. This can be done with a Smart Composting Bin or at a food scrap drop-off site.

If you have latex or oil-based paint that is no longer usable, it can be dropped off at a paint recycling center. The centers are open to residents only and require no fee for use. The centers are scheduled periodically at various locations throughout Middlesex County, so check the website for specific dates and times.

There are some things that cannot be recycled, such as batteries and light bulbs, but technology is developing that can process these materials, too. In addition, some companies are working on recycling wood, which is another renewable resource.