Where does your junk go? The top 3 items junk recyclers haul away

Junk is a bit of a mystery. We don’t really know why we hang onto it, and half the time we can’t remember how we even got it in the first place. But the biggest mystery of all is this: what happens to your junk after you get rid of it? To get a better idea of where everything ends up, let’s take a look at all the stops our trucks make to drop off all the junk we collect.

We make a huge effort to divert pieces from landfills wherever possible, but since some items can’t be recycled, some of the junk does go straight to the landfill. The truck also makes a stop at the transfer station. Here, it gets sorted and is then sent on to other facilities, being reused, repurposed, or recycled as much as possible.

We also head to the recycling depot, where things like plastics, metals, batteries, building materials, propane tanks, and more are separated and recycled. Some items that can’t be recycled are converted into energy. Using a variety of methods (typically involving applying high temperatures) the waste is converted to energy that can be used for heat, electricity, and fuel.

Items that still have some life left in them are donated to charities so they can be enjoyed by others. Finally, items that aren’t in working order, but can be broken down into usable parts are taken to the salvage yard. Here, they are taken apart and the pieces are then resold or recycled.

3 common items that can be recycled

Now that we have an idea of the journey your junk goes on when you’re done with it, let’s take a closer look at how some of the most common junk items are actually broken down and reused.

1. TVs & computer monitors

While we used to hang onto TVs for years and years, these days they are replaced a bit more often. With old CRT units, they must be carefully broken down to remove any lead, which can be quite dangerous if not done correctly. Even newer flat screen units contain mercury and other toxic materials that have to be carefully removed before the other components can be recycled. Once broken down, the plastic, wood and copper coil found on the back of the CRT can be sold and turned into new products. Also, the circuit boards contain gold, platinum, and other precious metals that can be resold and reused.

2. Fridges & freezers

When your fridge or freezer has bitten the dust and just isn’t working anymore, it’s time to send it to a better place. (That place being a recycling facility.) First, all the coolant chemicals are carefully removed, leaving the body intact. If the item is still in decent shape, it’s often refurbished and resold domestically or overseas. If it can’t be fixed up, it is taken apart and separated into materials to be recycled individually.

3. Mattresses

Even though that old mattress might not be suitable for sleeping on, it can live on thanks to the recycling process. First, it’s deconstructed so each different material can be individually recycled. The metal springs (often made of steel) are either shredded or crushed into cubes, and these are sold for new uses. Quilting and foam can be transformed into carpet underlay, while the wood is recycled, and the fabric can be recycled into new felt and insulation.

Now that you know a little more about what happens to your junk, you can rest easy knowing that everything has been properly taken care of. The environment will thank you!