Environmentalists have been signaling for years that the planet cannot keep up with the amount of trash humans generate. Unfortunately, many have turned a blind eye and now humanity faces an increasingly dire situation — one that urgently requires solutions. Images of plastic waste littering beaches, filling city streets, and contaminating natural environments are all over the news and social media reminding you every day where the waste ends up. Recycling is one such solution.

You probably already know the importance of recycling in keeping trash out of landfills. Did you also know that recycling cuts down on energy use, too? That's right; it takes less energy to rework old material than it does to mine or produce virgin glass, plastic or metal. Combined, those make recycling an attractive solution to the growing problem of excess waste materials. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your recycling efforts this year. 

Learn What Can — and Cannot — Be Recycled

There are many factors that determine what can and cannot be recycled. This makes the process more efficient and reduces waste. After all, just because you throw something out does not mean it ultimately gets recycled. Because they can vary between regions, what you recycle in one place may not be the same in another. That variability leads to a lot of confusion. Let's look at what happens to your recyclables to understand why. 

After your recyclables are picked up curbside, they are brought to a materials recovery facility. Once there, the materials are picked through to remove cardboard, paper and non-recyclables, then they are stored into appropriate categories to be sent to manufacturers that will transform them into new, useable material. 

It can be helpful to remember that items that cannot go in your curbside bin may still be recyclable with a little more effort. Look into metal, battery and other specialty recycling facilities. Some even offer small cash payouts for materials brought in, helping to offset some of the cost for the extra trip. 

Sort and Prep all Recyclables

Because sorting is a major part of the recycling process, the process becomes more efficient when homeowners take initiative and only place true recyclable material in the bin. In some cases, highly contaminated loads will be discarded entirely, negating the efforts of multiple households and businesses. 

Before you place items in the recycle bin, take the time to sort and prep them. This can look very different depending on where you live. For example, you may simply need to rinse plastic, metal and glass containers. In other places, recyclables may need to be sorted by type before being placed in individual bags. or loose papers may need to be bundled. Knowing what is required by your trash company will make this process easier. 

Explore Alternative Solutions

When items cannot be recycled, they often end up in the trash. However, that isn't the only solution. Homeowners have several ways they can reduce household waste from these excess items. 

One example is composting. There are several ways to get started, from putting food scraps into a simple pile in the backyard to vermicomposting to the somewhat more involved process of indoor anaerobic composting. Each one will cut back on food waste, although the latter two are capable of handling a wider range of food materials. 

Another way to reduce trash is to purchase fewer single-use items. This also includes items with lots of disposable or unrecyclable packaging materials. Look for refillable bottles for cleaning products, laundry products that have less waste, and purchase whole foods that are not boxed or wrapped in plastic. You'll generate less trash overall, making it much easier to cut back on household waste.

Recycling is an excellent solution to the growing problem of excess waste. it turns trash into new material that can then be reused. In doing so, it also saves energy. It is helpful to learn what materials can be recycled in your area and the best ways to prep them to maximize your recycling efforts.