So how do we differentiate types of waste?
General waste - Wastes that are unrecyclable and are hazardous to humans. These include used batteries, broken electronics, styrofoam containers and cups, paper towels, etc. It is recommended to dispose of them properly in ordinary garbage cans instead of recycling bins.
Organic waste - Also known as biodegradable wastes, these are wastes that originate from plants or animals. Examples of organic wastes are fruit peels, faecal matter, leftover bones and inedible vegetable parts. Please do not throw them away: if you have plants at home, these wastes can be composted and used as natural fertilizers/manure for plants.
Solid waste - Wastes produced from human activities that are considered unwanted and useless. Solid wastes can range from toxic industrial wastes to harmless kitchen garbage, so depending on the waste's origins there can be a multitude of methods to better manage it. Generally this type of waste is considered to be very harmful so therefore cannot be recycled in any way, but rather discarded.
Liquid waste - Wastes that exist in liquid form. This can be sewage, household wastewater (e.g. soap water), grease, petroleum from motor leakages or toxic chemical wastes like ammonia. Normally these are processed by liquid waste management facilities, to make the wastewater safe to return to water sources like rivers without polluting it. A filtration and sterilization process is used to ensure that the liquid is rid of any pollutants and bacteria and is safe for consumption.
What can be recycled?
There are a wide range of materials that can be recycled through your curbside recycling program. These consist of obvious materials, including paper and glass, as well as less obvious materials, including most forms of metal, and even food. Here are some examples:
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Paper including newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
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Cardboard
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Glass bottles and jars
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Rigid plastic products Metal containers, including tin, aluminium, and steel cans
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Food waste, if your city has an organics collection program
What can't be recycled?
Here is an overview of what can’t be recycled curbside:
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Greasy paper, such as oil-soaked paper plates and pizza boxes
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Used paper towels, tissues, and diapers
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Broken ceramics, light bulbs, and mirrors
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Film plastics, such as plastic bags, shrink wrap, and bubble wrap
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Styrofoam, otherwise known as expanded polystyrene
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Electronic waste
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Construction and demolition debris, such as concrete and drywall
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Carrier stock; the paper packaging around packs of drink cans In Malaysia, we frequently come across four different coloured rubbish cans.
Which colour of recycle bins?
We frequently come across four different coloured rubbish cans:
Blue – Paper
Brown – Glass
Orange – Plastic and aluminium
Green – Generic waste
However, the colour codes may vary so you will have to check the labels of the rubbish bin before you chuck your recyclable waste.