Recycling is an essential part of keeping our communities clean and sustainable. In the Five Forks area, local recycling centers, like ours, work hard to process materials like cardboard, plastics, and e-waste. But how do our centers sort through everything, and where do the materials go after they’re collected? Here’s a look at the recycling process.

Sorting the Materials

Our recycling centers use a combination of machinery and manual labor to sort materials. When mixed recyclables are collected, they are first separated by large machines that remove contaminants. Then, various types of recyclables—like paper, plastics, glass, and metals—are sorted through specialized equipment. Here’s how this works for some common recyclables:

• Cardboard and Paper: Cardboard and paper are easy to recycle. At the center, air blowers help separate lighter materials from heavier ones. The cardboard is then compacted and baled for shipment to paper mills, where it’s turned into new products like boxes, tissues, or paper towels.

• Plastics: Plastics are sorted using optical sorters or infrared scanners, which detect the chemical makeup of each plastic type. After sorting, plastics are cleaned and shredded into smaller pieces. These pieces are melted down and made into new products like containers, plastic lumber, or even clothing.

• Glass: Glass is 100% recyclable and can be reused endlessly. It’s sorted by color—clear, green, and brown—before being crushed into small pieces called cullet. The cullet is sent to glass manufacturers to be made into new bottles or jars.

• E-Waste (Electronic Waste): E-waste includes items like computers, phones, and televisions. This type of waste requires special handling because of hazardous materials like lead and mercury. E-waste is taken to specialized centers where valuable metals like copper and gold are extracted, and harmful substances are disposed of safely.
  
  

Where Do the Recyclables Go?

After sorting, the recyclables are sent to their respective processing plants where they are transformed into new products. Cardboard and paper are sent to paper mills to be made into new paper items, while plastics are melted down and repurposed into fresh plastic products. Glass is recycled into new containers or used in fiberglass insulation, and e-waste is processed to recover valuable metals and safely dispose of hazardous materials.

Why Recycling Matters for Five Forks

Proper sorting and recycling help reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower pollution. In the Five Forks area, participating in recycling programs ensures that materials are reused rather than sent to landfills. By recycling right, residents can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable community.

If you’re unsure about what can be recycled in your area, give us a call and we can provide helpful guidelines. By recycling correctly, you’re doing your part to protect the environment and help make the Five Forks area greener for future generations.