How to dispose of old photos
To enjoy the benefits of recycling – energy savings, less exploitation of natural resources, less pollution, etc. – it is important to separate waste correctly. We explain the types of recycling garbage cans and what to put (and what not to put) in each one.
Recycling is the process through which waste is converted into new products or material resources with which to manufacture other products. Thus, waste undergoes an eco-environmental transformation process that allows it to be reused in another manufacturing process. Thus, recycling helps to reduce the consumption of raw materials and to eliminate waste. That said, there are different types of recycling containers because separating waste in the recycling process is much more costly.
In order to carry out proper recycling, it is necessary to know what should be deposited in each of the containers. Each color represents a type of material and it is essential not to make a mistake when depositing the waste so that it can be properly processed. Below, we explain the different types of recycling containers and what you should put in each one of them.
What to do with printed photos
Until relatively recently, slides were known as positive photographs. If for any reason you no longer want or need those slides that were lying around the house, we tell you what to do with them.
Indeed, old slides, like photo negatives, are recyclable. Although they are mostly made of plastic, the yellow garbage can is not where they should go. This container is only for packaging. Let’s get it out of the way!
Both photo negatives and slides should go to the clean point. But before you dispose of them, you can try other alternatives. Maybe those slides are useful or valuable to other people… a thrift store might appreciate them if this is the case. On the other hand, you can digitize them! There are many stores where you can transfer those slides you want to keep, to digital format.
The plastics will be reused to make all kinds of things, that’s the most interesting thing about recycling! From fleece liners, to pipes, to office supplies, to new packaging. We never know what our items will become after they are recycled, so let’s keep them that way, let’s keep recycling. Now more than ever, our planet needs us. Taking care of it can be very easy, let’s do it together!
What to do with the photos we don’t want
We have told you a thousand and one times in this blog, but we will never get tired of doing it: one of the main challenges we face today to take care of the environment is the reduction of the waste we produce. And we will continue to insist!
The situation is really worrying if we take into account the data provided by Scientific Report on the Pacific garbage island or great Pacific garbage patch, located between Hawaii and California. Its surface area is already 1.8 trillion plastic materials, 8% of which are microplastics.
Consumers play an essential role, in addition to deciding to buy more responsibly or choose eco-friendly products, they can follow the recommendations of the Aquae Foundation to take care of the sea. Incorporate them into your daily life!
It also provided crucial information: microplastics, particles with a diameter of less than five millimeters, are used in many of our basic everyday products, such as gels and cosmetics, and could be entering the human food chain.
How to throw away old photos
On the Internet we can find many ways to reuse them -we will be seeing them- although in this post we are going to refer to only one: turn the negatives into recycled lamps! The characteristics of photographic negatives offer a very aesthetic aspect if they are well placed. They are great for making decorative and original lamps.
In case you no longer find more use for them than you have already given them and the time has come to recycle your negatives, keep in mind that the Puntos Limpios are the places to do it and where they will be given the most appropriate treatment. Although they look like plastic, they are not packaging and should never be deposited in the yellow container.