You probably use rubber bands all the time – to keep your hair out of your face, to hold together a stack of papers, or to keep your child’s toy from getting lost. But what happens to rubber bands when you’re done with them? Can they be recycled? The answer may surprise you!
Specialized Facilities Recycle Rubber Products
It turns out that rubber bands are actually recyclable! However, they can’t be recycled in the same way as other materials like paper or plastic. Instead of going in your curbside recycling bin, rubber bands should be collected and sent to a specialized facility where they can be turned into new products.
One of the most common uses for recycled rubber bands is in the agricultural industry. They are often used to tie up plants or secure fencing. They are also used in the construction industry, as they are an inexpensive and effective way to hold together bricks or mortar.
In addition to being recycled, rubber bands can also be reused around the house. If you have a bunch of old rubber bands lying around, put them to good use by using them to organize cords or wrapping them around hangers so they don’t fall off. You can even use them to make DIY bracelets or hair ties!
Getting Started
The first step in recycling rubber bands is to collect them. You can do this by keeping a small bin or box in your office or home to store the rubber bands as you use them. Once the bin or box is full, you can then take the rubber bands to a local recycling center.
At the recycling center, the rubber bands will be sorted by type and color. They will then be cleaned and chopped into small pieces. These small pieces are known as “rubber crumb” or “crumb rubber”.
What is Crumb Rubber?
Crumb rubber is made from recycled car tires and other rubber products. Recycled tires are put through a process that breaks them down into small particles called “crumbs.” These crumbs can then be used in a variety of applications including playgrounds, walking trails, running tracks, and even athletic surfaces. The crumbs are a great way to reduce waste by reusing tire materials instead of sending them to landfills or incinerators. It can even be used to make brand new tires to go back out on the road!
So next time you go to throw away a rubber band, think twice! Rubber bands can actually be recycled and used in a variety of ways. Do your part to help the environment by collecting your old rubber bands and sending them off to be recycled. Who knows – maybe one day your old rubber band will come back to you in the form of a new bracelet or plant tie!
