4 Surprising Things You Can Recycle in Canada

In a world where climate change and carbon fuel emissions are in continuous rotation in the news, as well as the enormous problem of pollution in our oceans, the environment needs all the help we can give it. One of the best ways that everyday people can do their part to make the world a healthier place is to recycle.

The Importance of Doing More

We all understand that recycling can help create a healthier environment because it helps reduce waste and prevents the need for increased manufacturing. That said, acknowledging the issue and doing the minimum required by the status quo does not appear to be enough. 

Despite an enormous infrastructure, only 9 percent of the 3.3 million tons of plastic disposed of each year in Canada are recycled. That’s why consumers must go the extra length to ensure their recyclable goods are disposed of correctly. It also points to the importance of becoming mindful of other less commonly discussed recyclables.

Electronics

While landfills worldwide have been facing a growing electronics waste problem, many companies exist today that specialize in repurposing electronics or recycling their components. 

Not only do electronic wastes contribute to larger landfills, but their components can be toxic and dangerous to the environment. The next time you need to dispose of your electronic equipment, find an electronic waste solutions company that can dispose of the material safely.  

Dental Restorations

You may not consider your teeth as containing material that can harm the environment, but if you’ve ever had restoration work done in the past, the chances are that your mouth contains precious metals that can be recycled. The reason for this is that dental work requires noble metals to ensure that they won’t rust while in your mouth. 

While your mouth probably doesn’t contain enough of these materials to be worth the effort in trying to recycle them, you can give your dentist permission to keep any such materials leftover from replacing your dental work. Due to this fact, dentists can collect dental scrap in Canada to be refined by a company specializing in preparing such material for resale to earn money to support their practices. 

Christmas Lights

While Christmas lights might seem unlikely to be recyclable due to their complex design, more companies realize the value of creating less waste for the earth. Since such lights usually contain copper, glass and plastic, there are mail-in programs that will take your lights to be disposed of in a way that’s helpful to the environment. 

Eyeglasses 

Any time you donate an item, you’re participating in the easiest kind of recycling possible while also helping out another person. In the ethics department, you get to have a double whammy. If you’re looking to recycle your old eyewear, you should check the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre to find a drop-off location in your area.

If you want to contribute to creating a better environment, one of the best approaches you can take is to learn about new ways to recycle. Try out a few of the ones listed here; or, if you’re a dentist, contact a company that offers dental scrap recycling services to learn how you can earn extra money.