Recycle after summer holidays

Summer vacation is a time of relaxation for most.

However, they can also lead to a significant increase in the amount of waste generated.

From disposable plastic packaging to souvenirs and gifts, it’s easy to accumulate a lot of waste.

As we prepare to get back into the routine after the summer holidays, it is essential to maintain and reinforce our recycling habits at home.

Here we offer you some tips to do it effectively.

Purposes to recycle after the holidays

1. Waste Classification:

The first step to effective recycling is the proper classification of waste.

Make sure you have separate containers for paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and organic waste.

This will facilitate the recycling process and ensure that recyclable materials are not mixed with non-recyclable waste.

2. Plastic Reduction:

During the holidays, it is common to use plastic containers for fast foods and drinks.

After the holidays, try to reduce your plastic consumption.

Opt for reusable containers instead of disposable bottles and containers.

Not only will this reduce the amount of waste you generate, but it will also help combat plastic pollution.

3. Creative Reuse:

Before getting rid of items you no longer need, consider whether they can have a second life.

Glass bottles, for example, can become beautiful decorative lamps.

Plastic containers can be used to store food or as pots for plants.

Creative reuse can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Composting:

If you have organic waste, such as food scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings, consider starting composting at home.

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills while creating a natural fertilizer for your plants and garden.

5. Family Education:

Involve the whole family in the recycling process. Teach them the importance of properly sorting waste and reducing plastic consumption.

You can turn it into a family game or challenge to make it more fun and motivating.

6. Electronic Recycling:

If you purchased new electronic devices or threw away old ones during the holidays, be sure to recycle them properly.

Electronics contain valuable components and harmful substances that must be managed properly.

Check electronics recycling locations in your area.

7. Selective Collection Program:

Find out about the selective collection program in your community.

Cities often offer collection services for recyclables, such as paper, cardboard, glass and plastic.

Make sure you actively participate in these programs.

8. Responsible Purchase:

The key to reducing waste is making responsible purchases.

Before purchasing a product, consider its durability and whether it is recyclable or not.

Opt for products with less packaging and look for sustainable alternatives.

9. Donations:

If you have items that you no longer need but are in good condition, consider donating them instead of throwing them away.

This not only reduces the amount of waste, but can also help those in need.

10. Maintain Consistency:

Recycling shouldn’t just be a post-vacation habit.

You must maintain it throughout the year.

Set reminders and remain consistent in your efforts to care for the environment.

After the summer holidays, it is important to reflect on our consumer habits and their impact on the planet.

By following these tips and maintaining a constant commitment to recycling, each of us can contribute significantly to the conservation of the environment and the creation of a cleaner, more sustainable world for future generations.

Do you know what biodegradable plastic is?

Biodegradable plastic has become an increasingly popular option in fighting pollution and promoting a sustainable future.

Unlike conventional plastic, this material has the ability to decompose naturally and without leaving toxic residues in the environment.

In today’s article, we tell you what biodegradable plastic is, its uses and the benefits it offers.

What is biodegradable plastic?

It is a material that breaks down through biological processes into natural elements, such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

It is made using renewable sources, such as corn starch, and is often blended with natural polymers to increase its strength and durability.

Although its decomposition time can vary, it generally disintegrates in a shorter period than traditional plastic, thus reducing its environmental impact.

Uses of biodegradable plastic

Biodegradable plastic can be used in a wide range of applications.

In this way, it replaces conventional plastic in numerous products.

Some of the more common uses include:

Packaging:

It is used in the manufacture of food containers, shopping bags and bottles.

These products are becoming more and more popular in supermarkets and shops.

This is because they help reduce the accumulation of plastic waste and its impact on ecosystems.

Agriculture:

In agriculture, biodegradable plastic is used in the production of films and sheets to cover crops.

These materials protect plants from weeds and pests, while breaking down naturally without leaving harmful residues in the soil.

Packaging of cosmetic products:

Many cosmetic companies are turning to biodegradable packaging for their products, thus reducing their environmental footprint and offering more sustainable options to consumers.

Benefits

The use of biodegradable plastic carries several significant benefits for the environment and sustainability:

Pollution reduction:

By breaking down naturally, biodegradable plastic prevents the accumulation of plastic waste in oceans, rivers and landfills.

This reduces pollution and protects marine and terrestrial life.

Resource savings:

Unlike conventional plastic, which is derived from petroleum, biodegradable plastic is made from renewable sources, such as plants and biomass.

This decreases dependence on fossil fuels and helps conserve natural resources.

Promotion of the circular economy:

Biodegradable plastic can be part of a sustainable life cycle.

It can be recycled or composted, allowing its reuse in new products or its return to nature as an organic fertilizer.

In summary, biodegradable plastic represents a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional plastic.

Its ability to break down naturally, along with its various uses and environmental benefits, make it an attractive option for reducing plastic pollution and promoting a cleaner future.

By choosing products made from biodegradable plastic, we can contribute to a positive change in the environment and advocate for a more sustainable lifestyle.

If you are interested in recycling, visit our website.

Summer crafts with recycled material

Summer has arrived and with it, the school holidays. Crafts are usually an activity that children love and also quite entertaining.

In today’s post we show you some typical summer crafts that are made with recycled material.

Take notes and have fun.

Piñatas with recycled material

There is nothing that children like more than a piñata.

The thrill of being able to open it and collect everything that is inside is something very fun for the little ones.

Also, making a piñata at home is very easy, we will only need:

  • A cardboard box.
  • Paper or fabrics that we have at home. If we don’t have we can buy tissue paper.
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • The sweets or toys that we want to put inside.

How to make our piñata from recycled material?:

  • We choose the shape we want for the piñata: ice cream shape, watermelon slice, beach ball…
  • We cut recycled cardboard.
  • We glue the strips of fabric or paper all over the cardboard.
  • We introduce surprises. We must remember to leave an open space in the box to put the surprises, then we close it.

Fuente: https://www.pinterest.es/pin/140806229600366/

We already have our piñata made of recycled material, now we just have to have fun.

little fish with plastic bottles

This craft is very simple and we need very few materials:

  • Empty plastic bottles.
  • Permanent markers.
  • Gomaeva

To make our fish with recycled material we just have to cut the bottom of the bottle to shape the mouth of the fish.

Then we cut the flaps with foam, although we can also make the flaps with plastic from another empty bottle.

We paint and decorate our fish with the colors that we like the most.

Fuente: https://es.pinterest.com/pin/366480488411823947/

With plastic bottles we can also make a very nice octopus and complete our marine fauna.

https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/7e/15/97/7e15970ee24b49d1b64d9e8c6d9b27c4.jpg

Fuente: https://www.pinterest.es/pin/AS0kHMtKDu8xvRSxo4dtjXqTV2mDCJDuiLnKCf0CmN2RkHVfG8yUPbk/

Mermaids with spoons of recycled material

Summer is the time for barbecues and gatherings with family and friends.

Many of us use disposable utensils to save ourselves from washing up afterwards.

Before the vast majority were made of plastic, now there are other materials that luckily we can reuse again.

But we can also give them another use once used.

With spoons, for example, we can create fun little mermaids.

Fuente: www.pinterest.es

We just need:

  • disposable spoons
  • Cardboard, fabric or any element that we have at home that we can use to make the hair and tail of the mermaids.
  • Felt pens.
  • glitter (optional)
  • Glue

The wide part of the spoon is the mermaid’s head and all we have to do is glue the different elements to make her hair and tail.

We can decorate it with glitter.

Boats with tetrabrik containers

Another thing that is always at home is some food or drink in tetrabrik.

Well, this material can be very useful for us to create beautiful boats with which our children will have a blast.

Need:

  • Tetrabriks
  • Markers or watercolor paints
  • A long toothpick, (like the one used for skewers)
  • Cardstock or fabric to make the candle
  • Glue

Making the boat is very simple:

We put the container horizontally and cut out a part to create the interior of the boat.

On the side we cut out two circles to make the windows.

Then we paint and decorate it as we like.

We make a candle with the toothpick and with the cardboard or the fabric that we have chosen and we stick it on the tetrabrik.

We already have our boat.

There are many crafts that we can do with recycled material and objects that we have at home, so be imaginative and have fun 😉

If you know any summer crafts with recycled material, share it with us!

 

dangerous residues What are they and how are they managed?

If we talk about recycling, we can talk about many types of waste that we can recycle.

But there are some in particular that need special treatment due to their nature. They are called hazardous waste.

In today’s post we tell you what they are and how to manage them.

What are hazardous waste?

We can classify as hazardous waste those materials or products that can release toxic substances into the environment.

They are residues whose own manipulation or carrying out an incorrect discharge can be very dangerous for any living organism, whether they are people, flora and fauna.

That is why it is so important to manage them correctly and following the protocols established in each case to prevent them from posing a risk to health or the environment.

Characteristics of hazardous waste

According to Ecoembes, depending on local regulations, the classification of hazardous waste will follow a specific protocol, but there are a series of standard guidelines that are common:

  • Corrosive residues: these are residues that can corrode the surfaces with which they come into contact. They are generally residues composed of acids. An example is sulfuric acid.
  • Hazardous waste due to chemical reactivity: this type of waste can also corrode surfaces and can even be explosive. Their main characteristic, however, is that they are not dangerous by themselves, but rather react when they come into contact with chemical elements. They usually come from the chemical industry. Some examples are mercury, lead or cadmium.
  • Explosive waste: this is waste that, if not treated properly, can cause explosions. The best known are dynamite or gunpowder.
  • Flammable waste: this waste is especially sensitive to heat and burns easily.
  • Toxic waste: these wastes, which can be organic or inorganic, are those that can be poisonous. They can come from different industries such as metal factories or construction, among others.
  • Radioactive waste: this category includes all those wastes that emit radiation. They can come from the chemical industry or power plants, among others.

Poor management of hazardous waste is the real risk of this waste, so it is essential to first identify it correctly and treat it accordingly.

How to manage hazardous waste?

The management of this waste has the following basic phases:

  1. Storage
  2. Labelled
  3. Transport
  4. Treatment, disposal or recovery operations

There are different factors that must be taken into account when managing hazardous waste. That the people who are going to carry out all the processes have adequate training for the work they are going to carry out is essential, since they must comply with mandatory safety standards.

The appropriate tools must be available to carry out the management, such as the uniforms or the necessary equipment to protect the workers.

We must bear in mind that each waste of a hazardous nature has a specific protocol when it comes to being managed. Workers must be fully aware of the guidelines for action that they must follow at all times.

The conclusion is that hazardous waste is to a greater extent when it is not managed correctly, rather than by its very nature.

Like the materials that we recycle daily at home, this type of waste must be properly treated so that it does not pose a threat to health and the environment.

 

Christmas crafts with mason jars

In a few days we have to get to the Christmas decorations. As recycling lovers that we are, we are going to propose some Christmas crafts with glass jars.

So go saving all those mason jars and take note;)

The best way to recycle mason jars

During the Christmas season we generate more waste. This is because we eat more meals and dinners with family and friends and therefore consume more food and drink.

From Baidal you know that we always encourage you to recycle everything possible and deposit the garbage in the corresponding containers.

If we buy foods that are packaged in glass jars, we can reserve a few to decorate them and make them part of our Christmas atmosphere.

In addition, after the holidays, we can deposit them in the glass container.

Jar with snow

Source: Pinterest

To make the decoration of this jar we need:

– One or more empty and clean glass jars.

-Common salt or epson salt that is a little larger and will give us a more “snowflake” appearance.

-Rope.

-Glue, which is usually used for crafts.

-Candles or Led lights.

-Pineapples, green leaves, berries …

Making these beautiful jars that will look great in our Christmas decorations is very easy:

-Once empty, wash and dry the glass jar well.

-We put the glue all over the outside of the jar with the help of a brush.

-Next, sprinkle the salt all over the jar, being careful not to touch the glue.

-We let it dry for about 20 minutes.

-We tie with the rope two pineapples, berries, leaves or any other element that we like and we think it looks good.

-We put the rope around the neck of the jar.

-To finish, we put a candle or Led lights, whatever we prefer, inside the jar.

Jars with candles as protagonists

Fuente: Hogarmanía

Jars and candles are the perfect combination for Christmas decorations.

We can simply put red or white candles inside the jar and that’s it or we can add something else.

Need:

-A clean glass jar.

-A candle.

-Salt.

-Decoration berries.

-A piece of ribbon, either made of fabric or red wool.

Elaboration:

-We put salt in the jar until a little less than half.

-We place the candle in the center.

-Around the candle we put the decoration berries.

-We make a bow on the neck of the jar with the ribbon.

A Christmas landscape in a jar

Source: Pinterest

If the jar is a good size, we can create our own Christmas passage inside.

It is very easy and we can use ornaments that we have at home, even our children’s dolls, they will love it.

Necessary elements:

-A clean glass jar.

-Cotton

-Some Christmas figure, such as a snowman, a tree or any figure that we like and that fits inside the jar.

-A few tree twigs.

-A piece of cloth.

-Rope or wool.

Elaboration:

-We put cotton in the jar until the entire bottom is covered.

-We place the figure or figures that we have chosen.

-We put the branches to look like a tree.

-We close the jar and place the piece of cloth covering the lid.

-We tie the fabric with rope, thread or wool, making a loop.

Recycling is fun, as you can see and all it brings us are advantages.

These are just a few examples, but imagination to power!

With a glass jar and a few elements you can create a Christmas decoration to your liking and totally personalized.

Share your designs with us😉

 

 

6 false myths about plastic

Hundreds of news related to plastic are written every day, so we receive a lot of information that is not always completely true.

Especially regarding its recycling there is still a lot of confusion.

In today’s article we talk about 6 completely false myths about plastic.

1. Recycled plastic is not valid for food products

Not all recycled plastics can be used for food packaging.

But there are some from plants authorized by the European Union and that comply with all food safety measures.

Therefore, they are completely safe to use for this purpose.

2. Plastic bags cannot be recycled

This is one of the most widespread myths and it is totally false.

In fact, the bags are very easy to recycle and we must always deposit them in the yellow container.

3. In Spain it is not recycled

Nothing is further from reality.

In Spain we are very aware of recycling, in fact in 2018, our country was the second European country that recycled the most plastic.

4. Only rigid plastic containers can be thrown into the yellow container.

In the yellow container we can deposit many objects that we use at the end of the day, from bottles, through bags, cartons of milk and juice, cans, metal containers, films or caps.

5. Plastic can be toxic

Plastic is not toxic by ingestion, in fact it is used to package food products as we indicated before.

Cosmetic products, toys, medicines … that is, they are biocompatible.

Its composition is subject to the sanitary controls stipulated by law to guarantee that it can be used without any problem.

6. Recycling is not going to change things

This is perhaps the most false of myths.

The small gestures that we carry out every day and that cost us nothing.

Separating our waste and throwing it into the corresponding container is a great step for all of us to help take care of the environment.

If we also incorporate simple actions such as reusing products, using a sustainable means of transport or consuming in a more responsible way into our daily routine, we will directly contribute to taking care of our planet.

Join the change and do your bit to take care of and protect the environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plastic recycling process step by step

By now, we all know how important plastic recycling is. With such a simple action, how to separate our plastic waste and throw it into the corresponding container, we help these waste to have a second useful life, in addition to doing our bit to take care of the environment.

But what we do not know is that the plastic recycling process must go through several steps to achieve the desired result.

In today’s article on our blog we tell you about the plastic recycling process step by step.

Reception and selection of plastic

Once the plastic has been deposited in the corresponding container, it is transferred to the recycling plants where, at first, it is received and prepared for separation and selection according to its characteristics.

In the first place, those plastics that contain other materials such as metals or remains of dirt or dirt are separated.

They are also usually separated by color, thus saving on the consumption of colorants and it is easier to recycle them.

crushed

The plastic is crushed into very small pieces that are called pellets and that are usually shaped like small balls. In this way, the material is homogeneous and the rest of the process is easier.

washed

Next, the plastic goes to the sinks where it is washed with water and removed so that all the impurities that may have stuck to the plastic are deposited at the bottom.

Drying and spinning

In addition to drying the material, the centrifugation serves to finish getting rid of any foreign material or impurity that may still remain.

Extruded and filtered

The next step is necessary to achieve the final texture with which to work the plastic. It is first melted by heat to create a mass, at this point the color is added.

Once the desired texture is achieved, the material is subjected to a filtering process to finish removing any remainder or impurity that may remain.

Granced

In this step, small balls called pellets are obtained. Subsequently, it is analyzed that they comply with all the established quality requirements, they are packaged and stored.

The recycled plastic would already be ready to be bought and used for the manufacture of other objects.

From home, we must continue to do our part in the plastic recycling process. Remember, it costs nothing, you just have to separate the plastic waste and throw it in the yellow container.

If you have any questions about it, contact us.

 

 

Do you know what invisible waste is?

We live in a world, fortunately, increasingly aware of the problem of climate change and more committed to the actions that must be taken to stop it.

But even if we do our part at home and recycle plastic, cardboard, glass … there is a series of waste that we generate without even realizing it and that is a great detriment to our planet.

They are the so-called invisible waste and in today’s post we tell you what they consist of.

What is invisible waste?

Invisible waste is all the garbage that is generated to make an object.

A mobile phone, for example, generates about 86 kilos of waste during its production process, not counting the pollution derived from its continuous use.

Some jeans generate about 25 kilos of waste, it is pollution that we cannot control a priori, but we can do something so that the impact is not so strong.

Extending the useful life of an object will make those invisible residues of which we speak are less.

We can live perfectly without buying a mobile phone every year or without renewing all the clothes in our wardrobe.

How to combat invisible waste?

At a particular level we can reduce consumption, as we mentioned.

On many occasions we buy new objects and discard the old ones when we could still continue using them without problem, only because of fashions or impulses.

If extending the useful life of the object is not possible, we can always recycle it. Either reconverting its use, (with jeans we can create cushions or aprons for example), or depositing them in the corresponding containers for proper recycling.

We know that this is complicated in a society that constantly encourages us to consume, but we must try.

We add more R to our life

In addition to the already known reduce, reuse and recycle, there are 3 Rs that we can put into practice in our day to day.

Fix

We have become accustomed to throwing away objects when they are damaged, but we can take them to a specialized store and repair them to continue using them.

Recover

Surely if we look around our house, we will find a lot of things that we do not use. If we are no longer going to use them, we can give them away or exchange them with someone who is going to use them.

Renovate

That piece of furniture that is in perfect condition but has become a bit outdated can become a new piece of furniture if you give it a coat of paint in a more current color or if you change the handles, for example.

The important thing is to reduce our ecological footprint to the maximum.

Vegetable leather from pineapple

Vegetable leather is a must. Currently, the demand for animal skins is high and between 2008 and 2017 the European Union imported more than 10 million skins or leather products such as bags and belts, according to figures compiled by Pro Wildlife.

One of the most consumed products by the automotive industry is leather.

Thus, it is essential to look for alternatives to animal skins with vegetable leather.

There are cheaper and equally aesthetic options such as pineapple vegetable skin or pineapple vegetable leather.

Vegetable leather made from pineapple

This product that has similar properties and characteristics to animal skins.

It also contributes to the conservation of the environment while taking care of the cost.

In the future, it could be considered to create a network between fruit traders and vegetable skins producers, thus also contributing to being a socially responsible project.

Many plants and fruits are recognized for their resistance, either to weather conditions or for the composition of their fibers.

For some years now, brands such as Ananas Anam, have refused the idea of ​​making garments with animal skins and have opted for other circular economy alternatives.

The use of a textile is sought that can be made from the union of the fibers without having to be sewn, with a finish identical to that of animal leather.

Phases of the process

Make a prototype of vegetable skin based on pineapple stem leaves for various

applications takes a process, which is detailed below:

Obtaining raw material

First of all, the raw material must be obtained.

To obtain pineapple leaves, it is necessary to have a supplier of this waste raw material, for this, negotiations are carried out with markets that allow obtaining these waste.

Leafless

Secondly, we proceed with the leaf removal and degumming.

As part of the process, the leaf stalk must be removed from the pineapple leaves, which is removed from the top of it.

For this process it is necessary to carve the pineapple leaf with a metal spoon, along with this with a sandpaper of 3000 water, the cellulose protections of the leaf must be broken until reaching the fibers (thin filaments similar to a thread light brown).

After doing this, the vegetable fiber threads are thoroughly washed until the chlorophyll is completely removed from these leaves.

Dehydration

Then dehydration is carried out, which consists of using vacuum bags with which the dehumidification will be carried out in an oven, a process which will be carried out at 160 degrees Celsius, checking it every 15 minutes so that it does not harden and split.

Tissue

Next, the fibers are woven. In this stage, the pineapple fibers are interlaced one by one to obtain excellent quality.

After obtaining the cellulose from the pineapple, an industrial comber will be used to separate fiber by fiber.

In this process, a little oil will be placed as a humectant, in order not to tangle and thus obtain the pineapple thread with which the fabric will be created.

Laboratory tests

Finally, in order to check the resistance, durability, coloration and ergonomics, tests are carried out in laboratories, in which chemicals and colorants such as glycerin, coconut oil and starch are added to achieve the desired properties.

What is compost? 5 tips to do it at home

Compost or compost is a product obtained from different materials of organic origin, which are subjected to a controlled biological oxidation process called composting.

It has an earthy appearance, free of odors and pathogens, it is used as a base fertilizer and as a partial or total substitute for chemical fertilizers.

For anyone who is new to composting, or for those who simply want to improve their compost, we have put together a summary so that you can get it.

In today’s blog, we bring you 5 tips to do it at home. We will tell you about it in the following lines!

Fundamental keys to compost

The 5 fundamental keys are:

Buy a proper compost bin

If you are going to buy a compost bin, we recommend that it be not very large, as it will be perfect for a small garden or patio.

Choose the perfect place to leave it

It’s best placed in a well-drained, level spot, which will prevent excess water and help worms get in and get on with the job of breaking down the contents.

Let the worms do the hard work

Nature has provided us with the perfect waste disposal solution: worms. They can live their whole lives in the dark, and they also love the humid atmosphere.

On the other hand, they will eat the waste material you put in and turn it into compost.

The tiger worm is the most efficient worm we know of, and it loves to eat organic waste.

Put the correct elements

Things that make for good compost include vegetable peels, fruit waste, tea bags, plant pruning, and grass cutting. These decompose quickly and provide significant amounts of nitrogen and moisture.

It’s also good to include things like egg cartons, crumpled paper, and fallen leaves. These rot more slowly, but provide vital fiber and carbon; They also allow significant pockets of air to form in the mix. Crushed eggshells can be included to add helpful minerals.

Let the air in

Adding crumpled pieces of cardboard is an easy way to create pockets of air that will help keep compost healthy.

Air can also be added by mixing the contents.

Today’s blog ends here.

We hope you liked it a lot!