When we talk about recycling, we refer to an act by which an object that has already been used is taken to a renewal process instead of being discarded. Recycling is of the utmost importance for society, since unless elements can be reused, more garbage would be formed and this would continuously damage the planet.
According to experts, almost all the elements that are consumed can be recycled or reused in different situations, although there are exceptions since they can be toxic and therefore have to be discarded.
What are the advantages of recycling?
Find out how you should classify waste according to the color of the container:
It is common to see containers of different colors in most of the places we visit, so it is important to know how to identify them to correctly separate the waste. Below, we explain what type of products should go in each of them.
Now that you know the classification of the containers for the separation of waste, it is important to become aware and responsible with the environment and start to generate a habit in the correct separation of waste and thus give a second life and generate value to the objects that can be recycled.
The inclusive circular economy is a new way of thinking about our relationship with nature. It is a more responsible and respectful way to live with it and, at the same time, continue with our production and consumption processes. Surely this sounds familiar to you, but have you ever wondered what this model that is gradually establishing itself in the world includes? Stay reading to learn with us.
How does the circular economy work?
The circular economy is not only an environmentally responsible practice, but it is an economic model that goes through the entire production process on which countries depend to sustain themselves. Unlike the linear model that has dominated for decades, and which does not set limits on the exploitation of natural resources, this is based on 4 fundamental pillars:
All this is summed up in one concept: take advantage. The circular economy model seeks to ensure that the materials produced circulate for as long as possible in the hands of the consumer, that is, they are used to the maximum in order to reduce the need to go to nature for our productive activities. Therefore, this model also includes other pillars such as the reuse of products, the repair and extension of the useful life of materials and the use of parts of an obsolete product to manufacture another.
At Origin, our business is based on the same concept of taking advantage. We manufacture recycled plastic bottles from discarded PET bottles, which are our raw material and are used to provide the consumer with a new resource. With this, we contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the well-being of our planet.
What does the word inclusive refer to?
If the circular economy seeks to minimize the exploitation of natural resources, the inclusive circular economy produces one more impact: the generation of employment. The circular economy implies a new form of production that is innovative, competitive and creates spaces where people can participate, produce and live from it.
One example is grassroots recyclers, who decisively promote this model, since they are responsible for managing and recovering discarded material in homes to transport it to the spaces where it is transformed. At Origin, we work with more than 5,600 recyclers who provide us with this material daily with the guarantee of a competitive payment for its management.
As you can see, the inclusive circular economy is not built from a single space. All citizens are a fundamental piece for the cycle of this model to be fulfilled. It is everyone’s responsibility to be consistent with what nature offers us, therefore, we invite you to join the Origin movement and be part of the change. Together we have the power to transform the world!
Fighting the pollution of nature from your home is possible. You don’t have to be an expert in waste management or environmental issues, you just have to follow three easy steps: identify your waste, separate it and share as much as you can with others. That’s being a change agent!
However, if you don’t know where to start, keep reading and learn how you can contribute from your home to reduce the presence of plastics in seas, mountains and rivers more and more:
Get informed and raise awareness of the problem
The overproduction and low percentage of plastic reuse is an issue that should concern everyone. According to the UN, 8 million tons of this material ends up in the oceans each year, dangerously affecting our marine ecosystem. Also, a plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose.
However, recycling not only helps the environment to be free of this material, but also contributes to reducing the consumption of raw materials, natural and energy resources that are used to produce plastics and that are also largely responsible for the pollution of our home.
This information is enough for the need to recycle to become a priority, and for this practice to become a habit in the daily life of Ecuadorian families.
Start small and build a habit
If you have never recycled, it will surely cost you a bit to start with this commitment. However, when you realize how easy it is, there is no excuse anymore! Start by stopping the use of unrecyclable materials, such as plates or foam cups. Then, start to identify those that you can give a second life to, which, fortunately, are in almost all the products we consume on a daily basis:
– HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): It is the most recycled plastic in the world. We can find it in drink bottles and food containers
– PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): It is characterized by being very hard. It is usually found in bottles of cleaning products, cosmetics, milk, juices and more resistant bags.
– LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): It is also one of the most common and resistant. It is found in common plastic bags and lids.
– PP (Polypropylene): It can be found in various materials, such as trays, record cases and disposable cutlery.
After identifying what you can recycle, it’s time to separate it from organic and other waste. To do this, allocate a bin or a box to deposit only these completely clean materials, since these plastics will become raw material to produce others. You can even label this bin with instructions so your family and friends know what to do.
The task does not end here. Remember that if the plastic does not reach a suitable place to transform it, it will end up mixed with common garbage and exposed to the environment. Identify the grassroots recyclers in your neighborhood, who function as a safe transport to the new life of plastic, establish contact with them and create an agreement so that they can always come to your home to collect this material.
Share what you know and motivate others
Caring for the environment is everyone’s task. Motivate your family and friends to acquire this habit, remind them of the great contribution they will make just by separating their waste and explain to them how they should do it. As more people join this task, the figures presented at the beginning will be reduced more and more.
At Origin, our motivation is the commitment we have with society and nature. We are the first Ecuadorian brand that encompasses the entire circular economy process, working hand in hand with grassroots recyclers to transform thousands of waste into thousands of new bottles every day.
Surely you have ever heard of the term PET, in the following blog we explain its meaning, properties, and applications. Let’s start by understanding the meaning of its acronyms; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic polymer that is made from the polymerization process of terephthalic acid and monoethylene glycol. This material is manufactured in different formats and can be transformed through different expulsion, injection and even thermoforming processes.
What are its properties?
Where can we find this material?
There are several objects made from PET. Here we mention some of these:
PET containers can be continuously recycled through different collection and selection processes. There are different methods for cleaning and expelling recycled contaminants, which allows them to be reincorporated into the production chain, reducing their environmental impact.