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Green Tip: the Enclosed Möbius Loop

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Written by Administrator   
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 19:00
 In honour of this month's 'symbols' theme, each weekly green tip in May will concentrate on an environmental symbol.  This week, we will take a closer look at the universal recycling symbol, the enclosed Möbius loop.

The internationally-recognized symbol is used to designate recyclable materials.  It is composed of three chasing arrows that form a Möbius strip or unending loop.  In Canada, the Möbius loop within a dark circle, or "with recycled content" as it is also referred to, guarantees that the product is made from recycled materials.  The percentage of recycled fibers used is at times indicated in the centre of the logo.  If seen on packaging, this symbol means that the packaging contains recycled content.

So what is recycling?  At its simplest, recycling is a term that describes the process of converting "waste" into resources that can be made into new products (http://www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/62/any_questions_e.cfm).  For a recycling program to be successful there must be both a supply of recyclable materials and a demand for recycled products.  By buying recycled, you are not only reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills but it is also a way to save energy and non-renewable resources...and saving energy is essential in tackling climate change!!!  

Take the aluminum can, for example.  Aluminum is the most valuable recyclable material.  When re-melted, aluminum cans could be used in any product made from aluminum.  Making aluminum cans from recycled materials uses 95% less energy than producing them from scratch (http://cans.planetark.org/) and more than 50% (http://www.oberlin.edu/recycle/facts.html) of a new aluminum can is made from recycled aluminum.

Don't forget to buy items made from recycled materials to ensure that companies continue to use recycled material in their products...and recycle of course!  Look for the Möbius loop and buy recycled!!!

Posted by Myschka

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Last Updated on Thursday, 07 May 2009 06:54
 

Administrator is a (Cult)ure Magazine contributor since Saturday, 27 December 2008.

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