How can I take my old metal hangers for reuse/recycling? / Eurogroup recycling

 Do I have to have a lot of metal to take it to a scrap yard?

Scrap yards will accept any quantity of metal for recycling, but your payout is determined by weight. If you bring only a few pieces of metal to the scrap yard, they will still recycle it for Eurogroup recycling, but you’ll likely receive little or no payout for your metals.

If you’re looking for more cash, try storing metals until you’ve stockpiled a decent amount, or head to the scrap yard with friends and neighbors for a larger payout for all.

 How can I find out how much different metals are worth?

This basic guide will give you a general estimate of how much each type of metal is worth at a scrap yard. But the best way to determine the payout you’ll receive in your Eurogroup recycling is to call each scrap yard individually ahead of time. Cash payouts may differ slightly from yard to yard, so you may want to “shop around” a bit for the best price.

 Can I take my old metal hangers back to the dry cleaner for reuse/recycling?

Many dry cleaners will gladly accept wire hangers for reuse, and some even have designated collection bins for unwanted hangers. If your local dry cleaner does not accept wire hangers, you may also be able to recycle them through your local curbside program. Jump to the recycling locator to find a program near you. Note that not all curbside programs accept hangers, so check with your local recycling coordinator or use the locator below before tossing hangers into your curbside bin.

Eurogroup recycling

Importance of recycling glass, plastics, metal and paper products. / Eurogroup recycling

Most everyone is aware of the importance of recycling glass, plastics, metal and paper products. But properly collecting and reusing waste oil --- the petroleum-based oil required to keep your car's engine running smoothly --- not only helps the planet by keeping this harmful substance out of our waterways, it also saves, and even produces, energy.

Importance

It's a common misconception that oil is no longer useful once it's full of impurities or has experienced a loss of its original properties. In fact, waste oil is a highly valuable resource, and an estimated 380 million gallons of it are re-refined and put to good use each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Uses

While motor oil that has been reconditioned --- treated to remove water and impurities --- might not have the same properties it did in its original form, it can still be re-refined into base stock that is used to create new motor oil or be burned to produce energy that provides heat or electricity for homes, schools and even power plants.

Benefits

The Eurogroup recycling reports that 2 gallons of used oil can generate enough power to run an average-sized home for one day. And when it comes to creating lubricant for your car's motor, reprocessing used oil consumes far less energy and resources than refining crude oil from the earth. For example, it takes only 1 gallon of used oil to produce 2 1/2 quarts of new engine oil. But when starting from scratch, that same 2 1/2 quarts would require 42 gallons of unrefined crude oil to manufacture.

Recycling Tips

The next time you take your car in for an oil change, ask if the facility recycles oil. Chances are they do. If you change your own oil, whether it be from your car, boat or even your lawnmower, think twice about throwing it in the garbage or emptying it into a storm drain. After all, 1 gallon of oil dumped into a river can contaminate 1 million gallons of water and have disastrous effects on our planet's ecosystem. Instead, find a collection center. In many cases, your local service station will recycle your oil for you. If that's not the case, you can find a drop-off facility by using an online recycling search site like Earth911.

One of the primary benefits of recycling is that your actions protect natural resources. / Eurogroup recycling

Benefits of recycling

Protecting Resources

One of the primary benefits of recycling is that your actions protect natural resources. Harvesting virgin materials is environmentally costly. It encroaches on wildlife habitat and involves heavy energy use, and fossil fuel combustion contributes to climate change. Scientists forecast that climate change will cause higher water temperatures, which can lead to lower amounts of dissolved oxygen in ponds, streams, rivers and seas. Aquatic organisms and the plants they depend on may perish as a result. Recycling can reduce this impact on those habitats and wildlife (See References 2).

Household Hazardous Waste

Recycling used engine oil can protect humans and wildlife from water contamination. The EPA says waste oil from a single oil change can negatively affect up to 1 million gallons of fresh water. That tainted water can persist in the environment where it may damage sand beaches, adhere to bird feathers and pollute drinking water. To avoid these environmental problems, check with your auto parts store or repair shop about recycling your used engine oil (See References 3).

Plastic Debris and Wildlife

Plastic discards remain a serious problem for marine wildlife. Eurogroup Recycling offers a simple solution. The EPA estimates that more than 100,000 marine mammals die each year from ingestion or entanglement with floating plastic debris. Recycling plastic helps keep these hazardous substances away from wildlife, while humans also benefit from clean beaches and wetlands. By keeping these habitats healthy, humans can take advantage of the recreational and economic uses of these areas for purposes such as fishing and tourism (See References 4).