Bulk wire hangers have the drawback that is inexplicably easy and cheap, and it is easy to ignore the fact that their disposition at the end of their useful life has a responsibility. Placing them in a regular recycling bin or, worse, trash, may present recycling facilities with a serious challenge and lead to wasted landfills. Since you are a business that employs these workhorses, knowing how to dispose of them properly is an important aspect of your operation and environmental ethics.
The process of becoming a responsible hanger disposer can be difficult to navigate, yet it is by no means impossible. Even with limited knowledge and effort, you can make sure that your consumption of bulk wire hangers is not at an environmental cost. This guide will give you a simple step-by-step method on how to dispose of your hanger waste properly, maintain and protect the equipment, and help your community recycle.
Knowing the Problems of Wire Hangers
The Jam Recycling Machinery
Their shape is the major problem. The hooked ends of wire hangers are easily caught up with other materials and also with themselves. This can cause jamming and damage to the complex conveyor belts, shredders and sorting machines at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) through expensive shutdowns and repair.
Not Curbside Recyclable
Container, paper, and cardboard recycling programs are what most municipal curbside recycling programs are set up to achieve. They specifically mention hangers or tanglers as forbidden items due to the damage to machinery that they inflict. Putting bulk wire hangers in your bin pollutes the whole load.
The Mixed Material Complication
Others have paper clips or plastic clips on their wire hangers. This mixture of materials means they are hard to recycle using the usual method of single-stream, where different materials such as metal, paper, and plastic are separated.
The Landfill Problem
Bulk wire hangers will occupy space when discarded in a landfill and will be a waste of precious metal that can be reused. One of the most recyclable materials on earth is steel, and a priority area of sustainability is to avoid landfills with it.
Implementation of Responsible Disposal and Recycling
Go Back to Your Dry Cleaner
The simplest answer is just to send them back. The bulk wire hangers used by most dry cleaners will be happy to repair clean and undamaged ones and re-use them. This would be the best long-term solution because the product would not need any new energy to be remanufactured.
Find a Recycler of Scrap Metals
Wire hangers have a high value to scrap metal recycling centers because they are composed of steel. Gather as many as you can, usually in the hundreds and sell them off to a scrapyard in the neighborhood. You may even get a little of the metal.
Donate for Reuse
Bulk wire hangers are frequently used in schools, community theaters, art programs, and shelters in costumes, in art projects, and in sorting clothing donations. Phone ahead to ask whether they may use your over-supply.
Check in with Local Waste Management
In certain municipalities there are designated drop-off points or special collection events of unwanted materials, such as wire hangers. Your local waste management authority has policies and may offer a program that you would want to know about, so contact them.
Conclusion
Disposing of bulk wire hangers is a responsibility that is easy to handle, and you will impress your business with its dedication to sustainability. You can actually prevent damage to machinery, lessen landfill waste, and help the circular economy by deciding to recycle your old hangers by returning, scrap, donating, or disposing of them in a proper manner. One of the easiest and effective ways to make a great positive environmental contribution is to turn this underrated task into a routine.