For many, the respect and protection of the environment is simply trowing rubbish in the recycling bins. The simple step of throwing something into a large bin marked with a recycling symbol is enough for some of us to feel that we have done our bit.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple…

Here are a few tips and facts to help you be more informed the next time you throw something away.

From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, plastic has become an essential part for families and communities around the world. Given its importance and the fact that scientists estimate it takes between 450 and 1,000 years to decompose (some say it never will), it is crucial that we better understand this material.

Something you might not know is that plastic has been linked to hormone growth disorders and carcinogens, in addition to its environmental damage. While the use of plastic has also been linked to public hygiene and the prevention of bacterial contamination, consumers should still be careful not to put chemicals in food or drink.

There are 2 types of plastics:

An important finding: plastics with food residues can NOT be recycled. For plastics to be turned into recycled goods, they must be in good condition and thoroughly washed out. So next time you have to throw away a plastic product, try to wash it first and then recycle it! 

Also, don't recycle anything smaller than a credit card. This includes straws, bottle caps, coffee caps, plastic cutlery, paper clips and a million other tiny things that accumulate in our everyday lives. These items are too small to be sorted and can block recycling equipment.

Recycling only works when similar materials are together. Unfortunately, items such as plastic-coated coffee mugs, laminated paper and envelopes with bubble wrap from the post office can never be separated and therefore are going to produce waste.

You should avoid buying non-recyclable materials that cannot be separated and prefer other options. 

Unlike plastic, glass and metal, including aluminium, can be recycled an infinite number of times without the product losing quality or purity.

Recycling one glass bottle, for example, saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours. Recycling a single aluminium can, on the other hand, saves enough energy to run a TV or computer for three hours.

Have you learned something really interesting?