Five Steps To Recycling
June 4, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
Recycling is not always so cut and dry. I’ve lived in many states and the recycling processes in each area have differed. Here’s how you can figure out the perfect recycling plan for your own area.
1. Find out what is recyclable everywhere. For example, even though we didn’t have curbside pickup for plastics in my area of New Mexico, we all know plastics are still recyclable. Make a list. If you’re not sure what’s recyclable and what’s trash, read Commonly Recycled Materials.
2. Perform a trash audit at your house. If you’re tossing recyclables, a well done (and easy) trash audit will let you know. One audit only takes about a week of your time, and in the long run will save you money on your garbage bill and help the planet. How to do your own green trash and recycling audit.
3. Set up a good recycling center in your home. I suggest placing your center in a high traffic area, but the garage or porch is good too. Ideally, you’ll want bins for each type of recycling, and if you have little ones, you’ll want to mark each bin clearly with a picture.
4. Contact your local recycling center about curbside. Your goal is to find out what they pick up and what they won’t. Many curbside programs pick up stuff that might surprise you. If you have curbside, make a note of days and times for pick-ups, and stick it to your fridge.
5. Locate a recycling center for all the stuff curbside won’t pick up. It’s highly unlikely that curbside recycling will pick up everything you need to recycle. For example, old CDs, batteries, drink boxes, wood, electronics and motor oil are good examples of things you can recycle, but not usually curbside. To locate a recycling center for almost anything, check out the resources below before you toss that item in the trash:
- Earth 911 – allows you to enter your zip and an item and a list of centers will pop up.
- Where Can I Recycle My…
- How Can I Recycle This? – AWESOME site that looks at new uses for old items. Highly reader interactive, so head over and participate.
Now you have no reason not to recycle; right!?
[image via stock.xchng]
