PUBLIC EDUCATION
How Are the Materials That are Collected in Our Province Recycled?
PlasticPET and HDPE and all other plastics are sent to the Novapet recycling plant in Amherst, Nova Scotia. There, the plastic is ground into chips and then sold to various manufacturers that use the chips to make packaging and new plastic containers.
Possible Uses for Recycled Plastic: New plastic containers and packaging, insulation for jackets and sleeping bags, fibre for carpets, fabric for hats, sweaters, jackets and t-shirts
GlassGlass is sent to the RAYAN recycling plant in Moncton, New Brunswick. There, the glass is crushed into small pieces called cullet and then sold to markets throughout North America for production of new bottles.
Possible Uses for Recycled Glass: New glass bottles, fiberglass insulation, reflective asphalt paint.
Tetra and GableTetra and gable top containers (like juice boxes) are sent to the Great Northern Recycling plant in Hantsport, Nova Scotia. There, the material is mixed with water to create a pulp mixture so the different layers of material can be separated. Through the pulping process, the paper fibre is separated from the plastic layers and coatings. The paper fibre, which makes up the majority of the material, is manufactured into boxboard for products like cereal boxes.
Possible Uses for Recycled Tetra and Gable: Boxboard, paper towel, tissue and corrugated cardboard
Aluminum CansAluminum cans are sent to the Evermore Recycling facility in Oswego, New York. There, the aluminum is shredded, melted and rolled into sheets to be cut into new aluminum cans.
Possible Uses for Recycled Aluminum: Aluminum cans, aluminum foil, pie plates, small appliances, siding.
Steel CansSteel is sent to Newco Metal in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. There, the steel is loaded onto trucks with other reclaimed steel and sent to markets throughout North America for production of new steel products.
Possible Uses for Recycled Steel: Steel cans, appliances, automobiles, construction materials.