Tackling Recycling Food Plastic Waste

Today, just about every product produced uses recycled or natural materials. Innovative entrepreneurs are re-engineering plastic waste into fantastic solutions, from bricks that are stronger than concrete to eco-friendly clothes and accessories made from recycled plastic. So how does recycling food plastic waste produce cheaper recycled plastic?

Entrepreneurs focus on upcycling plastic waste, diverting it from landfills, and keeping it out of the environment.

How do Companies Aid in Recycling Food Plastic Waste?

Large corporations’ products create enormous waste that impacts our planet. They have realized this, but unfortunately, this should have happened decades ago. 

Corporate Recycling Initiatives: Composting Food Waste Programs

Corporations have recently created Corporate Recycling Initiatives to appease people, mainly to silence the negative publicity caused by the pollution they have helped create. The internet & smartphones have made it easy for worldwide news to be accessed in seconds. This has forced them to realize how their waste is managed and disposed of.

Corporate Recycling Initiatives now focus on reducing waste through composting food waste programs. Global brands such as Nestlé and Coca-Cola, realizing the importance of reducing waste, have started producing bottles and packaging made from 100% recyclable materials. 

With large corporations now getting behind the fight against pollution and waste, newer ways of producing and creating materials are being developed.

New Innovations:

Graphene, a material stronger than steel, can also be produced from plastic waste at cheaper rates than it takes to landfill it. Graphene can be used in any industry, from transport to medicine to electronics.

Finding ways to improve our recycling of food plastic waste also helps large companies lower the cost of raw materials they require.

How can household waste management improve recycling?

As a consumer, the buyer, and the user of different products, you are the primary waste producer. When you recycle effectively, you help lower the cleaning and separating costs of other materials at recycling facilities.

The cleaner and contamination-free waste households provide to their local (MRF) materials recycling facility, the easier it is to produce cheaper raw materials used to produce commodities. 

Recycling food plastic waste: Behavior and Attitude

Rinse out containers, removing any food from them. It can make a huge difference. Changing our behavior helps us separate better and improves the circular economy cycle. Our present mindset is that recycling facilities are responsible for separating recyclables from the food waste we dispose of at home. We pay taxes for it. Why should I pay extra water bills to wash and clean it? And why should household waste management be my problem?

Recycling food plastic waste.: Overcoming Barriers

This cannot continue; we need to shift our thinking if we are trying to help the environment, reduce pollution, and fight climate change. Only when we work together as one system will we see the recycling rate improvements we want to discuss.

Recycling food plastic waste.: Working Together

Many small local companies around you repurpose waste materials and transform them into new products. Your waste could tile your floor and become a chair in your home or backyard. Or a beacon of entrepreneurship and innovative thinking as he carries a backpack made from your recycled trash.

They separate cardboard and plastics- toys, bottles & electronics, etc. It saves these startups cleaning time & cost. They can also pick out only the materials they work with that are best for their system and product. You can be a part of helping multiple startups succeed.

Place hanging bag adhere.

Improve Home Recycling food plastic waste.

We talk about how you who produce the scrap can reduce waste at home. You will learn about the steps we can take. What’s the good, the bad & the ugly side, the difficulty and strain of going green can be.

I consider myself an inventor and will offer my solution to make your recycling food plastic waste easier than you have done before. You may already have most of the Items or find them at a $ dollar store, supermarket, or online.

Here are the regularly mentioned options we know about and how a mixture of behaviors executes change while learning,

How to manage waste at home Without any hassle & mess-free.

RecyclingFood Plastic Waste: Create Jobs- 

Recycling companies’ wages begin at approximately $20 per hour and offer healthcare benefits.

Purchase minimally packaged products

Can buying minimally packaged food help the environment?

It’s as simple as it sounds. Get your food directly from local farmer’s markets. As the expression goes straight off the cart, this prevents plastic wraps or non-required coverings that protect it during long transport. So there’s nothing to throw out except plate and table scraps. It’s an excellent way to reduce recycling food plastic waste simultaneously.

Health Benefits

You gain health-wise, too, as your food is fresh and unfrozen, as it’s often done on its journey to your table. That’s why big-box stores charge a premium for local organic produce.

Reduced Cost

A great, often unmentioned way is to buy in bulk. Combine your purchases for friends and family, and even help out a neighbor or additional nearby households. It’s an excellent cost-saver, too.

But it’s not accessible to all. City or large town dwellers may have a few stores available. In crowded cities, the traveling time, even over short distances, to obtain unwrapped food and produce often doesn’t make it worthwhile. After all, time and convenience are huge factors. They are also not as cheap as the big box stores with products shipped to them.

Repurpose materials

There are many ways to repurpose materials. Turn something old into something new. An example is turning old, worn-out T-shirts into shopping bags. You can do good & give old or unused items and products to charity. You can also separate different types of trash for businesses to collect and repurpose into new recycled products. The possibilities are endless, and Facebook groups are where you will find great ways and suggestions.

Reuse Your containers

Using reusable containers is an easy way to prevent unwanted packaging from getting into the environment. Reusing long-lasting items for their possible lifespan makes them sustainable. Steel, ceramic, and glass are often considered sustainable because they are durable, strong, or tough.

How to use reusable kitchen counter products to prevent waste.

The hiccup with this plan is its straightforward solution because almost every household has done this for generations. Still, the real problem here is that it makes no difference in the broad picture because these containers that sit on our kitchen counters and spice racks are of a small size. When we buy small packets of condiments to fill them, those packets go in the trash unless cleaned to be appropriately recycled. Buying at bulk stores is a package-free shop where you take your containers to refill, which is a great option. But it’s not for everyone, as time and convenience have always been an issue on the journey towards improving recycling food plastic waste. 

Reusable items Vs their plastic counterparts

The debate on plastic vs reusable water bottles goes on. How often have you needed multiple bottles at events or a party? Both have their uses. They work for short solo trips and activities like running, jogging, or going for a drive. But imagine standing in line at a festival to fill up your water container. It all depends on the situation. It’s the same story for plastic vs reusable options for produce, grocery, and shopping bags. These are a few products we have already incorporated into our lives. 

Reusable diapers and straws, bamboo toothbrushes, and other natural products are changes that make a significant difference. But often, it’s not for everyone, and we have to respect and value all views and voices, even though they differ. After all, that’s what a free society does. 

PPE USE

During the pandemic, PPE has taken over our lives. Having a reusable face mask is another way to help prevent additional pollution. 

Stop buying 

It’s hard; everywhere you look, from your screens to on the road, everyone is selling something that experts tailor to induce parting with your funds. Often, these items serve some emotional or physical need within us. It’s you who makes the call.

Meal planning

Planning your meals is the best way of recycling food plastic waste. Eat and buy according to your needs. Sounds good, but often, we walk around picking items, like bites, snacks, and quick fillers for those hunger pangs and filling up the shopping cart to avoid repeated time-consuming trips to the store. But stores are designed to make you buy. Think about it; you do it for your business or place of work. The circular economy cycle is how we get money to buy more stuff. In 2020, more people will wear a chef’s hat at home, craving to duplicate their favorite dishes. This has led to more food waste in curbside green, garbage & recycling bins. So, planning helps reduce wasted food and costs. It’s an excellent way to minimize recycling food plastic waste simultaneously. In Canada and the United States of America, food waste tossed in the garbage and recycling bins contaminates materials and fills up landfills. Meal planning does help lower the amount of food waste disposed of improperly.

Declutter your fridge-

When your fridge is packed full, you will end up with food going wrong because it’s being hidden. Buying only what you need prevents this. Place fresh produce behind the older groceries, fruits, and vegetables. It’s natural to pick out the first item in a fridge to eat or prepare. A note reminding you about leftovers & meal-prepped foods makes what gets eaten & planning easier. Thursday, leftover lasagna night, and plan accordingly. 

Using Toronto’s curbside food waste audit as a broad example-

To put that into perspective from a single-family

So, as you see, there’s room for improvement. Plan your purchases well, share excess food before it goes wrong, or have extra off. Share the love.

Start composting

The volume of food ending up in landfills rather than being composted or used to generate power is unbelievable. Fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, and fish scraps are valuable natural resources that must be diverted.

Backyard Composter

Backyard composting is a great DIY option. If you have the room, start a compost pit or get a small composter. Today, composting machines are compact and easily fit in building apartments, backyards, and terraces. They allow you to turn your waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer comfortably at home. Some take work, and some are easy to use, but there’s a price attached—no Affiliate Link.

City Composting Food Waste Programs- Green Bin

City-provided Curbside composting programs dominate the landscape. Collection happens through the large trash cans with lids and wheels provided and the garbage trucks that pick up your trash. You pay for the service with your property taxes.

Private Food Waste Collection Programs

Small local contractors provide food waste to compost collection services where there is none but a reoccurring price. It’s an excellent way to reduce recycling food plastic waste simultaneously.

How recycling food plastic waste waste helps recycle more plastic

As stated by stats, curbside food waste has ample room for improvement.

To keep it simple, I have lowered the actual numbers available  According to a 2018 EPA report. 

1. About 55 % of all food collected was landfilled.
2. Biochemical processing, digestion, donation, and other methods were at about 28%
3. Combustion of food waste and non-organic waste was at about 10%. 
4. The composting rate was about only 4 %. 

The more food kept out of recycling and trash bins, the lower the contamination. This makes cleaning excessive organic matter from recyclable items easier, saves costs, and produces raw materials that comply with the above-limited standards.

Why is there food waste in garbage & recycling bins?

Making managing food waste easy for households is vital to improving diversion rates to improve diversion rates. To avoid cleaning a nasty-smelling green bin or lack thereof, food waste that could have been composted fills up landfills that will quickly bust at the seams. Gover. Ents made changes to divert more organics—an improved curbside waste collection system can prevent food from going to landfills and redirect it toward other detour methods. 

Recycling food plastic waste: Rules Change To Improve Rates

-In Toronto green bins, scraps CAN BE bagged in plastic bags; no particular plastic or compostable bag is required. The bags and organic waste are separated during processing at facilities. 

-In 2019, Ottawa started allowing plastic bags in your green bin.

If 500 homes save just 1 pound of food waste weekly from landfills-

Recycling food plastic waste working solutions you are not aware of

In 2024, most blue boxes or recycling bins will accept every type of recyclable item. Keeping food waste out of the blue trunk is vital. Contamination rates are about 25 %, and gross and smelly food waste is mostly to blame. Today, you will learn how recycling food plastic waste easily does not have to be a messy affair.

How to eliminate nasty-smelling trash cans quickly.

Does your bin stink every time you open the lid?

Do your bins stink up your garage?

Garbage odor control products with granules absorb and eliminate the bad smell. These deodorizing products come in packs, sachet bags, sticks, clip-on features, and various scents. Hang a few near or cling on to your trash can lid. They are easy to use. 

check out available options on Amazon

How to keep files, pests & maggots away

Natural eco-friendly products that you sprinkle or spray over the bin or scraps keep flies and pests away without harming or adding chemicals. 

Diatomaceous Earth

This is a fantastic option. Sprinkle a little over the food waste or bags in your green bin to avoid odor buildup, flies, and maggots.

Peppermint oils, liquids, or sprays:

You can always find excellent natural, eco-friendly products online.

Ultrasonic repellants:

Larger scavengers attracted to the scent of rotting food may need different safe deterrents. Ultrasonic repellants are a secure option, but they may annoy your pet and raccoons, bears, and birds.

Raccoon, bear, and bird spikes:

Commonly used as deterrents. You can set them out according to your needs. But if you have pets or kids, remember you are using them. 

Trash can enclosure:

Many designs are available to hide your bins while locking them safely away from pests. Still, this solution predominantly serves homes with more yard space and is not an option for everyone.

It’s an excellent way to help recycling food plastic without pests causing a nuisance. 

Does anyone like cleaning trash cans?

A person who says they love it- even profession. Cleaners take it as a consideration, and there are germs, too.

Why you should clean your trash cans?

Bacteria, including Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria, flourish in garbage bins, where they are caused by waste from eggs, poultry scraps, or meat.

How to clean your outdoor trash can?

1: You do it yourself

Get out your safety gear: face masks, gloves, a hose, and cleaning detergents. You can use a garden hose or pressure washer, a scrubber with a long handle, etc- Trash can clean YouTube.

2: Pay Someone to do it- 

There are trash can cleaning services near you. They charge a fee for regular and one-time cleaning, using hot water jets to clean your bins.

I recommend using solution 3 or 4 after cleaning your bin to maintain it without paying extra.

3: Use large oversized bags

Most cities provide large trash cans and green bins in 50-96 gallons. They have wheels and lids, lock-in, and prevent messy waste from touching your bin walls. However, they are hard to afford and rarely used to capacity.

Imagine disposing of 2 small 4 lb bags of waste per week & needing a large 50-96 gallon bag to do it  Only to prevent your trash can from getting dirty and have it cleaned. That’s a waste. A more efficient solution that eliminates the pain of washing a trash can while helping recycle food plastic waste would be

4: BagEZ Trash Bag Holder 

With BagEZ, you get the benefits of large, oversized bags. No dirty waste touches your trash cans. Every day, hang trash bags securely in your bin. Use your container as you do, and get a clean can every time without getting off the couch. Keep a clean wheelie bin.

Here are a few videos of BagEZ in action.

Food waste Diversion

Any food waste diverted helps improve landfill lifespans, lower greenhouse gases, and provide cleaner, cheaper, recyclable raw materials ready to be upcycled into new products. We believe our way shows you how curbside recycling food plastic waste can be so easy that anyone can help make a difference without inconvenience.

These simple steps can make life easier for homeowners, recyclers, and the environment.

We appreciate your views and comments on recycling food plastic waste.