Where To Recycle Plastic Bags?

Plastic bags are one of the biggest problems in many countries. They can be found on trees, poles, and everywhere around the city, and recycling them is important for various reasons.

It is a common item that is often found as waste. Research suggests that worldwide it's estimated that more than 500 billion plastic bags are used per year – most of which come from developing countries – and the number continues to increase.

Plastic waste overall is a big problem because of its non-biodegradable nature. In fact, recycling plastic isn't easy because it is usually not homogeneous, and different types need to be dealt with in different ways. On top of that, recycling is expensive (more than most synthetic materials) because it requires manpower, energy, and specific machinery.

Why should you recycle plastic bags?

Although recycling plastic bags is not an easy process, it has several advantages. The main one is that it reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or on streets. If disposed of improperly, plastic bags can end up littering cities and harming wildlife (and people).

Further, plastic waste clogs the drain and pollutes rivers and oceans. Plastic might be harmful to animals that mistake them for food or get tangled in them. Sometimes they will even eat the plastic bag, thinking that there's food inside just to be poisoned by its chemicals.

Also plastic has entered the food chain in many places. Animals that we eat in some way ingest microplastics, and it enters the food chain, which means we will soon be affected by it as well.

Where to recycle plastic bags?

It is important that you don't just throw away your plastic bags. Instead, consider sending them to a recycling center, and there are many ways in which you can do so. There are some places where you can drop off those plastic grocery bags so they can be recycled into something else that might be useful:

Local recycling organizations: Sometimes, local recycling organization will also accept plastic bags. It's best to check if they do, but bear in mind that many factories prefer hard plastics because it is easier to turn into something else.

Local Stores: Many stores have drop boxes for people who want to recycle plastic bags. Usually, there are at least two or three available, so be sure to check if you can leave them there instead of throwing them away.

Some local recycling stores include Tin Wan Recycling Store , Sai Ying Pun Recycling Store , Yuen Long Hui Recycling Store , and Tai Kok Tsui Recycling Store.

Community waste collection center: You can deposit your plastic waste in various centers operated by  government authorized NGOs around Hong Kong. They have a community recycling logo displayed at their collection point, and you can also ask them other information and materials they accept.

However, manually managing plastic waste isn't easy, and it often gets mixed in the trash. As such, you'll need to segregate your plastic bags in order for them to be recycled properly. For instance, you should place all the plastic bags inside one container and put them aside until they can be picked up or transported.

Similarly, categorizing plastic, compressing it, and monitoring the bin level can be a daunting task. To solve these problems, Guardforce has come up with AI-powered Auto-sort bin known as a smart bin. It uses technology to sort waste, optimise waste management operations, and deliver real-time data about bin levels.

Auto-sort bin - The Next Generation Waste Management Solution

Auto-sort bin is an IoT device made to help industries, businesses, and governments manage waste. The device uses sensors and AI to sort and compress the trash, and also continuously monitor bin levels so that they can be emptied before getting full.

Moreover, Auto-sort bin sends real-time alerts and can be monitored remotely by the administrative staff for its levels and whether if a section needs attention. All you need is to replace your traditional bin with the Auto-sort bin, and it will automatically categorize, and monitor the waste for you. It comes with an easy setup process so that you can get started right away!

Smart bin will save companies time and money while at the same time reducing operational costs. Moreover, it's suitable for different applications and has already been installed in various facilities across different cities.

Conclusion

The problem of plastic waste is continuously growing, and this has become a global concern. There are many reasons for this, such as an increase in population, but there are also possible solutions to address them, including recycling.

Ultimately, unrecycled plastic bags are not just a problem for the environment but also for businesses and governments who need to manage their waste properly. That's where smart bin can help them manage their operations more efficiently so they can maintain a healthy and productive environment at all times.