What Do Containers Turn Into?

The Process From Beginning To End

The journey of a beverage container starts long before you twist off the cap and take that first refreshing sip. It begins at a manufacturing plant, where either new or recycled materials are molded into the containers that will soon hold your favourite drinks. These containers are filled, capped, labeled, and packed, ready to embark on their first journey to a distributor or retailer, but the story doesn’t end there… it’s just getting started!

In Calgary, after these containers have been shipped, stocked, and sold, they find themselves in your hands, often with a small deposit fee attached to remind you that this is not just another piece of trash. This is where the real adventure begins, one where you, the lovely consumer, play a starring role. After you’ve enjoyed your drink, you’re left with an empty container and an important choice: dispose of it or recycle it.

Okay, you can start the recycling process by taking that empty container to an Alberta Depot, like ours! This is where your contribution to the environment and the economy becomes tangible. By returning your container, you reclaim your deposit, and we at the Depot take on the responsibility of ensuring that your container is more than just a discarded relic.

Now, what happens next? Once we’ve received your container, it’s transported to a processing facility. Here, the container is sorted, cleaned, and prepared for its next chapter. It might be shredded into small flakes, melted down into pellets, or even pressed into bales. These raw materials are then sold to recycling and commodity markets, where they are transformed once again.

The transformation is nothing short of magical. These recycled materials are used to create new beverage containers, reducing the need for raw resources. The materials from your recycled container can be repurposed into a variety of products, from fleece jackets to park benches, even playground equipment, and, of course, new cans and bottles. Each item made from recycled materials helps to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve precious resources.

Recycling isn’t just about environmental responsibility, it also has a significant economic impact. By returning your containers to Sage Hill Bottle Depot, you’re not only reclaiming your deposit but also supporting local businesses and fueling a sustainability cycle that benefits the entire community. Your recycled containers are transformed into new products, reducing the need for raw resources and helping to create a greener, more vibrant Calgary. This powerful choice contributes to both a cleaner city and a thriving local economy, showing that recycling is a crucial step in shaping a sustainable future for everyone.

So, the next time you finish a delicious drink, remember that your small action has a profound impact. Together, we can turn waste into something extraordinary, ensuring that Calgary remains clean, vibrant, and innovative. Let’s transform recycling into a habit that shapes a brighter future for us, one container at a time. Every step towards sustainability strengthens our community and paves the way for a greener tomorrow.