RECYCLING
What is Recycling?
It means the conversion of components (such as paper, glass, plastic etc.) inside the solid waste into other products or energy by physical, chemical or biochemical methods by separating them according to their characteristics.
Recycling is converting reusable wastes into secondary raw materials through various physical and / or chemical processes and including them in the production process again. In other words, it can be defined as including recyclable waste materials, which are used in any way, and out of use, into the manufacturing processes again as raw materials through various recycling methods.
The Importance of Recycling?
Waste prevention, recycling and better waste management are definitely essential to minimize input to and output from the economy. However, closing the substance cycle is not enough to prevent effects on the environment, human health and welfare.
Circular economy approaches should go beyond waste management and facilitate the transition to the green economy. We have to reconsider the way we produce, consume and dispose of products.
What is Zero Waste?
“Zero Waste” is a goal defined as waste management philosophy that involves preventing the wastage, using the resources more efficient, reviewing the reasons for waste formation, preventing or minimizing waste formation, and collecting and recovering waste at source separately.
Recycling
RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION
One of the most important principles of the waste management strategy of our country is the waste recycling. Reuse of wastes, recycling them as material and energy are addressed as priority management principles in all legal arrangements, especially in the Law on Environment, constituting the environmental legislation, recycling activities are encouraged and the criteria are developed in order to increase the technical and administrative qualifications of recycling facilities, and the facilities meeting these criteria are licensed to contribute to the economy and the environment.
Pursuant to our national legislation, where waste production is unavoidable; reuse, recycling, and recovery with other processes intended to obtain secondary raw materials, use as an energy source or disposal of wastes are essential and it’s also essential to encourage the use of recycled products to reduce the use of natural resources and energy.
What is Recycling?
PURPOSE OF RECYCLING
It means the conversion of components (such as paper, glass, plastic etc.) inside the solid waste into other products or energy by physical, chemical or biochemical methods by separating them according to their characteristics.
Recycling is converting reusable wastes into secondary raw materials through various physical and / or chemical processes and including them in the production process again. In other words, it can be defined as including recyclable waste materials, which are used in any way, and out of use, into the manufacturing processes again as raw materials through various recycling methods.
Note that natural resources are not infinite, and if they are not used cautiously, these natural resources will be exhausted one day. Countries and producers realized this matter have sought and developed various methods to recycle and reuse wastes in order to prevent waste of resources and to overcome energy crises that may arise.
As an example, the use of recyclable aluminum saves up to 35% energy compared to producing aluminum from scratch.
In order for developing countries, which are trying to develop and have economic difficulties, to benefit from their natural resources in the long term and in the maximum manner, they have to stop wastage of wastes, to use recycling and reuse methods for materials with economic value.
The purpose of recycling should be considered to prevent the unnecessary use of resources and to reduce the amount of waste garbage by providing waste separation at the source. Recycling and reuse of materials such as iron, steel, copper, lead, paper, plastic, rubber, glass, electronic waste will prevent natural resources from being exhausted. This will also reduce the amount of foreign currency paid for imported scrap material to meet the needs of countries and will also provide a great savings on the amount of energy used. For example, the reuse of used paper in the paper manufacturing reduces air pollution by 74-94%, water pollution by 35%, water use by 45% and adding 1 ton of waste paper to the pulp prevents cutting 8 trees.
On the other hand, as mentioned above, one of the purposes of recycling will be to prevent environmental pollution to be significantly prevented by reducing the amount of solid waste to be disposed of. Especially for countries that do not have enough space to dispose of solid waste regularly, it is a great advantage to reduce the amount and volume of solid waste. The first step of a healthy recycling system is to collect these materials by separating them at source.
When these recyclable wastes are mixed with normal garbage, secondary materials obtained from these materials have much lower quality and there may be problems in cleaning processes. Therefore, the most important step of the recycling process consists of separation at source and separate collection.
Resource shortages arising from wars caused the beginning of the need for recycling. Major states launched nationwide recycling campaigns during the Second World War. Citizens were particularly encouraged to collect metal and fiber materials. The recycling process in the USA took a very important place in the patriotism concept. As a matter of fact, resource protection programs created during the war continued in some countries with limited natural resources (such as Japan) after the war.
The Importance of Recycling?
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
- It provides conservation of our natural resources.
- It helps us save energy.
- It provides convenience in garbage processes by reducing the amount of waste.
- Recycling helps us to invest in the future and the economy.
Waste prevention, recycling and better waste management are definitely essential to minimize input to and output from the economy. However, closing the substance cycle is not enough to prevent effects on the environment, human health and welfare. Circular economy approaches should go beyond waste management and facilitate the transition to the green economy. We have to reconsider the way we produce, consume and dispose of products.
Recyclable Substances
- Iron
- Steel
- Copper
- Aluminium
- Lead
- Batteries
- Paper
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Glass
- Engine oils
- Waste oils
- Accumulators
- Vehicle tires
- Concrete
- X-ray films
- Electronic wastes
- Organic wastes
Legal Legislation in Recycling
Recycling in our country is regulated by the Law on Environmental and the regulations issued based on this law.
How to Recycle?
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Every individual buys many different products everyday to meet their needs. These products are generally packaged to be stored healthier and more secure. We can re-recycle package wastes by storing them separately from other wastes. By collecting the packaging of the products in a separate bag we buy in our homes, we take the first step.
We start recycling by throwing the packaging wastes we collect in a packaging waste container nearest to our home. If there is no packaging waste container within the boundaries of your municipality, you should apply to your municipality in this issue.
How and from where can we get recycling bins?
They can be obtained by requesting from the Portable Battery Manufacturers Association regarding waste battery collection. Vegetable Waste Oil Collection Containers can be obtained from collectors authorized to collect Vegetable Waste Oil. On the other hand, equipment related to the recycling of packaging wastes can be obtained by contacting the relevant Municipality within the scope of the management plans prepared by the Municipalities.
Recycling Share
According to the Law on Environment and the Law Related to Making Amendments on Certain Laws that came into force after published in the Official Gazette dated 10.12.2018 and numbered 30621, mechanisms such as reducing the use of plastic bags, plastic packaging, deposit application, and receiving security to prevent pollution will be used for environmental protection, prevention and elimination of environmental pollution. The provision of “For the products included in the list numbered (1) attached to this Law, which are placed on the market in the country, a recycling share in the amount specified in this list is collected from the sales points for bags and from the releasers / importers for the other products…” is included in the additional article 11 titled recycling share, added to the Law on Environment. Within this framework, the necessary regulation for the collection of the recycling share will be made within the scope of the regulation to be issued by the Ministry pursuant to the article 18 of the mentioned Law.
In this context, the implementation regarding the recycling share fee from other items except for the plastic bag included in the Attached List (1) of the Law on Environmental will start with the enforcement of this regulation.