One step at a time we can make a difference. Recycling is one of the easiest
ways to do that so take a little time and think about how you can do it too.
Re-using these items can also save you money.
ways to do that so take a little time and think about how you can do it too.
Re-using these items can also save you money.
PAPER
Paper is one of the easiest items to recycle as almost every school and
many businesses have specific dumpsters for paper and cardboard. Many
areas have special containers that get put out with the regular trash pickup.
And if you have a garden you can shred or tear up your paper items to put
in the compost pile.
Think about how much paper you throw away, receipts, cereal boxes,
newspaper, note paper, junk mail, boxes, phone books and packaging of all
kinds.
newspaper, note paper, junk mail, boxes, phone books and packaging of all
kinds.
GLASS
Glass jars that food or drink comes in can be recycled, but usually needs to
be separated by color. But can you use that jar for something yourself and
reduce the amount of containers you need to buy? You can store buttons,
beads, screws, herbs, pasta, beans and more in them.
be separated by color. But can you use that jar for something yourself and
reduce the amount of containers you need to buy? You can store buttons,
beads, screws, herbs, pasta, beans and more in them.
PLASTIC
This one is a little harder unless your trash company or a recycler in your
area will take the plastic. Many places will take all numbers while others will
only take a couple of kinds. However most plastics we use are numbers
1 & 2 like soda bottles and food containers and they are the most easily
recycled. Look on the bottom of the container for the number in the
triangle. Lots of plastic items can be re-purposed. Milk jugs can have the
bottom cut off to make a cloche for the garden, other bottles can be made
into scoops for animal food, gardening, etc. Plastic grocery bags can be
cut and braided to make a fairly strong rope or knitted or crocheted into
things. Of course reducing the amount of plastic you have is always a
good idea and the easiest is to carry re-usable totes when shopping,
perhaps one you made from old plastic bags.
only take a couple of kinds. However most plastics we use are numbers
1 & 2 like soda bottles and food containers and they are the most easily
recycled. Look on the bottom of the container for the number in the
triangle. Lots of plastic items can be re-purposed. Milk jugs can have the
bottom cut off to make a cloche for the garden, other bottles can be made
into scoops for animal food, gardening, etc. Plastic grocery bags can be
cut and braided to make a fairly strong rope or knitted or crocheted into
things. Of course reducing the amount of plastic you have is always a
good idea and the easiest is to carry re-usable totes when shopping,
perhaps one you made from old plastic bags.
ALUMINUM
With aluminum you can actually make some money while recycling. If
your state does not give refunds on cans then take them to a metal
recycler. I rinse out and crush the cans to save space and when I have
several bags I take them to my local recycler who pays me by weight.
You could even start collecting the ones already crushed in the parking
lot or if you are up for it, search out the trash cans at convenience
stores and such.
your state does not give refunds on cans then take them to a metal
recycler. I rinse out and crush the cans to save space and when I have
several bags I take them to my local recycler who pays me by weight.
You could even start collecting the ones already crushed in the parking
lot or if you are up for it, search out the trash cans at convenience
stores and such.
STEEL
Steel cans are what we call tin cans that food comes in. I rinse them, the
label can go in the paper recycling bag although the metal recycler
doesn't have to have it removed, and again I save them till I have a couple
of bags full. I take them along with the aluminum cans to the recycler and
make some extra money.
OTHER METAL
Most metal recyclers will take any metal you no longer need or want
including brass and copper. Copper is being monitored greatly as there
are some out there who will steal it to get the money at the recycler. Be
warned they take this seriously. The only thing my recycler won't take
is used ammo casings, probably because of the danger of gunpowder
residue being left in it. Metal recycling may not make you rich, but it
might buy you a nice lunch or some gas for the car.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Things like computers, peripherals, TVs, radios, cell phones, ipods,
gaming equipment, basically any electronic item that you may have.
Some recyclers will pay you for the items as they can make money off the
materials when separated. The main reason to recycle these items is
the lead and mercury contamination that can occur when dumped in
a landfill. Do we really want that in our water source?
BATTERIES
This may be a little harder to recycle. If you are talking about car, boat,
ATV or golf cart batteries, I would suggest offering them on freecycle
or craigslist as some folks use them to store wind or solar energy and
they work fine even if they will no longer power your favorite vehicle.
This is by no means a complete list, but the most common items we
can keep out of the landfill. And you can always list items on freecycle
as someone may need spare parts from your old PC, or need those
baby food jars to store nails in.
One last thought on this subject is to think about what you are going
to do with the packaging once you use the product - before you make
your purchase. Sometimes there are alternative brands that offer a
better option on reusing or recycling the leftovers. Check online or
your phone book to see what recycling options are in your area.
Steel cans are what we call tin cans that food comes in. I rinse them, the
label can go in the paper recycling bag although the metal recycler
doesn't have to have it removed, and again I save them till I have a couple
of bags full. I take them along with the aluminum cans to the recycler and
make some extra money.
OTHER METAL
Most metal recyclers will take any metal you no longer need or want
including brass and copper. Copper is being monitored greatly as there
are some out there who will steal it to get the money at the recycler. Be
warned they take this seriously. The only thing my recycler won't take
is used ammo casings, probably because of the danger of gunpowder
residue being left in it. Metal recycling may not make you rich, but it
might buy you a nice lunch or some gas for the car.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Things like computers, peripherals, TVs, radios, cell phones, ipods,
gaming equipment, basically any electronic item that you may have.
Some recyclers will pay you for the items as they can make money off the
materials when separated. The main reason to recycle these items is
the lead and mercury contamination that can occur when dumped in
a landfill. Do we really want that in our water source?
BATTERIES
This may be a little harder to recycle. If you are talking about car, boat,
ATV or golf cart batteries, I would suggest offering them on freecycle
or craigslist as some folks use them to store wind or solar energy and
they work fine even if they will no longer power your favorite vehicle.
This is by no means a complete list, but the most common items we
can keep out of the landfill. And you can always list items on freecycle
as someone may need spare parts from your old PC, or need those
baby food jars to store nails in.
One last thought on this subject is to think about what you are going
to do with the packaging once you use the product - before you make
your purchase. Sometimes there are alternative brands that offer a
better option on reusing or recycling the leftovers. Check online or
your phone book to see what recycling options are in your area.
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