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​​​​How Does Recycling Work?​​​

For years, we have been taught that recycling is an easy and straightforward way to help the environment. However, we seldom talk about what happens behind the scenes after the material is taken from our laboratories and offices. The answer to this question depends on what you recycle and where.

​ Each of the NIH campuses are unique and may have recycling programs that are specific to that area, such as the Styrofoam Take-Back Program in Bethesda or the Tyvek Recycling Initiative in Frederick. For detailed specifics on your campus’ recycling dos and don’ts, visit the NEMS Recycling By Campus Page​. While unique recyclable materials may vary depending on location and market values, this article will look at general materials recycled at NIH, to include paper, plastic, metal and glass.

After the recyclable materials are collected, they may be sent to one facility where they are sorted and compiled, like is the case for the Bayview campus, or they may be sorted first and sent to different facilities for compilation and remanufacturing, as is the case with the Bethesda campus.^1,2 After they are sorted and compiled, the next step is transportation to a milling facility or a manufacturing facility.³ 

At milling facilities, such as a glass beneficiation plant or a plastic reclaimer, the material is processed into a mill-ready form by being shredded into flakes (plastic) or crushed into cullet (glass), then melted down and reformed. Glass may sometimes be reformed into its final product immediately, while plastic is often reformed into pellets for later usage.^4,5 A similar process happens with metal, but it is usually baled first.⁶

Certain materials, namely paper and cardboard, may skip the milling facility and go straight to a manufacturing facility. Examples of these include paper mills, recycling plants, or bottle manufacturing facilities. Here, the material is prepared as necessary and remade into a final product to be used once again.³ Some of these products include egg cartons, carpeting, nails, car bumpers, park benches and insulation, just to name a few.⁷ For the NIH Bethesda campus, pipette tip racks are turned into flowerpots and cardboard can be turned into new fiberboard for pizza, candy and other boxed items.^2​

Recycling is helpful not only because it prevents material from being landfilled, but also because it conserves timber, mined metals and other natural resources. Additionally, on average it takes less energy to turn recycled materials into products than to turn raw materials into products. The associated greenhouse gas emissions from these processes are prevented.⁸ Recycling also supports the economy, as recycling facilities account for over 680,000 domestic jobs and $37 billion in wages.⁷

It is important to stay informed on what can and cannot be recycled in the areas where you both live and work to ensure maximum efficiency in this process. For instance, certain regions and institutions are no longer recycling glass due to mechanical and logistical difficulties. These decisions reflect fluctuations within the recycling market, which can change from year to year.^9​ Stay up to date on your campus’ recycling rules to reduce your impact on the environment.

​Spotlight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Waste Management with Commander Matt Deptola ​USPHS Commander Matt Deptola is responsible for managing the waste contracts at both the NIH Bethesda Cam​pus and satellite locations within the nearby area. He and his team are responsible for ensuring that the NIH meets its compliance obligations for managing wastes while encouraging the NIH to consider best management practices for waste reduction and recycling.​ ​ LEA​RN MORE​​​​

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America Recycles Day ​ ​America Recycles Day is quickly approaching on Wednesday, November 15! Recycling represents a conscious effort to lessen your environmental impact​ through waste reduction and resource conservation. Read the full article for a few ideas on how to contribute to this year's event! ​​LEARN MORE​​​​

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​All recyclables should be clean and empty to avoid contamination issues that could result in entire loads being disposed as trash. Take a moment to dump food contents in the trash before recycling food and drink containers. To learn more about recycling​​​​​​​, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.