Recycling is good for the environment, but it can be dangerous for employees. Certain materials that are recycled, such as scrap metal, electronics, batteries, used oil and other chemicals, have components that directly pose hazards to workers.
In addition, recycling operations generate a large amount of dust that can have serious health consequences. This dust can contain micro-particles of plastic, glass, biohazards, toxic substances and other respiratory irritants. Even organic waste can become airborne in the form of “bioaerosols”.
Another reason why it’s very important to properly collect dust in recycling centers and Material Recycling Facilities (MRF) is that most of these dusts are highly combustible, especially the dust generated from paper, cardboard and textile.