Are Staples Bad For The Environment

You may be thinking that staples are too small to cause any harm. However, have you thought about the number of staples we produce daily all over the world? It is not an entirely perfect thing for the staples you use to end up in landfills. These sharp metal pieces cling to many objects, making it hard for you to dispose of those objects properly. But, have you honestly asked yourself, are staples recyclable.

Staples are not entirely dangerous, but if you use them in the wrong way, they may cause much damage. Here are some potential harms that staples may cause to you and the environment.

1. Pollution

You tend to use lots of staples in a year, and because they are small, it is tough to track the amount you use. If these staples end up in landfills, they can mix with other materials.

Then, when they rust or melt, they may wash off into oceans. Also, since they don’t easily break down, they can litter the environment.

2. Global Warming

As expected, you use staples with staplers. The manufacturing process of staplers leads to the emission of large amounts of carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide is a primary reason for global warming, staples in their little way contribute to global warming.

3. Personal Injury

If you are not careful when using staples, you may harm yourself. This harm may become worse if you allow children to play with these objects. While this is not a harm to the environment, it is one way that staples may affect your health and well-being.

So, the next time you have waste staples, do not just toss them around. Keep them properly and ensure you recycle.

Can You Recycle Staples with Paper?

Since it is possible to recycle staples, it is also essential to know if recycling can occur with your staple in paper material. Almost everyone holds paper with staples, so this question is not out of place.

Generally, you can recycle staples with paper. You may also prefer to take out the staples from the paper.

However, if you leave staples in a paper, they will be separated when recyclers take your paper for recycling. Recyclers then separate staples from the paper and process both objects independently.

Also, if you decide to remove your staple, ensure you do so correctly. This way, your staples do not fall off and end up in waste bins. You can then drop off your staple pins at metal recycling facilities or collection points.

Can You Recycle Cardboard with Staples?

You can treat cardboards almost the same way you treat paper. If you wish to recycle your staples while in cardboards, you may leave them.

During sorting, recyclers will separate all the metal materials in your cardboard, including staples. That way, they can recycle the staples differently from your cardboards.

However, if you recycle your cardboard with staples in it, be sure to remove any tape. You may also decide to remove the staple pins yourself. If you do, carefully gather the staples to avoid misplacing them.