You should not see the following in your trash:

• Leftover food items, like old bread, eggshells, and so on
• Cans
• Aluminum products
• Glass (broken or whole)
• Paper anything
• Steel
• Tin
• Plastics that can be recycled (not all plastics are easily recyclable)
• Batteries
• Cardboard tubes and other cardboard
• Non-messy foil
• Household items like books, not so broken toys, cell phones, clothing, and so on.
• Hazardous household waste

All of the above can be recycled, composted, ground up in the garbage disposal, or given to thrift stores. Really with the options for recycling nowadays your trash can be reduced to almost nothing. Especially if you smartly consider purchases before you buy for the recycling qualities.

Benefits to you:

• A smaller trash can that takes up less space – way more attractive!
• A less expensive trash bill.
• A healthier world for you, your friends, your family….

For recycling resources check out Earth 911.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Playing in your trash is healthy

Image: sxc.hu

Recently I was reading about Amy Orr, a mixed media artist, who uses many types of materials most people would consider junk – twist ties, credit cards, metal x-ray markers, glass beads of various types, paper automobile air fresheners, plastic hair clips, sequins, plastic plant fragments, window glass fragments and….chicken bones.

Study some of her work utilizing “trash” or “found objects” to see an amazing blend of color and designs.  You may get ideas for utilizing trash around your home for your mixed media art quilts.

(Incidentally, there is an interesting interview with Amy in the May/June 2008 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.)

Post from: Blisstree

“Trash” Quilts

When shopping, look for the following materials which can be recycled in most areas…

• Paper and cardboard.
• Aluminum and steel, both in can form and other products.
• Most plastic bottles IF you remove the lids.
• Glass of any type so long as it’s clean.
• Batteries.
• Computers and other appliances. Sometimes you can’t recycle whole appliances, but you can usually find a recycling center that will take care of the entire appliance for you (they’ll save the usable and recyclable parts).
• Clothing and shoes (that aren’t beyond repair). Give used items to non-profits or thrift stores. If clothing is beyond repair or too dingy for words, cut up those shirts and use them to clean with. Score two for you because you get to ditch paper towels.
• CDs, DVDs, and computer discs.
• Paint.
• Your whole darn car – seriously.
• Some juice boxes (look for the recycle symbol before you buy).
• Sometimes you can even recycle aerosol products.
• Hangers – of the wire variety.
• Cell phones.
• Eye glasses.
• Prescription bottles

What you often CANNOT recycle:

• Dirty, greasy paper and cardboard (pizza boxes).
• Many aerosol cans.
• Squeezable plastics like ketchup bottles have not been deemed totally recyclable, so buy glass if you have a choice.
• Paper or cardboard with lots of glue or adhesive stuck on.
• Styrofoam – it’s rare to find a recycling center that takes Styrofoam or foam, but that doesn’t mean you can recycle it – use it for mailing packages – but don’t buy it unless absolutely necessary.

Not sure how to get started? If you’ve got products and packaging to recycle, first learn about the local recycling center in your area. Figure out what they take, and how they like it (for example, some centers hate dirty boxes while others don’t care.) After navigating your local recycling center, find places to recycle those harder to recycle items. You can check Earth 911 for a center that takes specific items.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

What you can and can’t recycle

“He’s really learning about ‘going green’ from school,” the mom remarked.  “They’ve got a big program about saving the environment.”

Many schools are emphasizing the “green” theme, including those where I do substitute teaching.  Youngsters are informing their parents and looking for ways to be green at home.

This is great, as long as it isn’t carried to extremes.  Parents have to take into account cost, time savings, and their lifestyle, as well as environment practices.  Sometimes you also can’t change all at once.  These practices have to be adapted gradually.

What’s going on in your household regarding “going green?” Have your children’s schools joined the “green team” in a sensible manner or to the extreme?

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Parenting for the “Green” Family