R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, find out what it means to me!
Reduce your impact on the environment by re-thinking how you recycle in your home. Many items that end up in our landfills are actually reusable or recyclable. Know before you throw!
R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, take care of PETE (Polyethylene Terephtalate plastic).
Every town differs in what they collect from your curbside recycling bins. Knowing your basic information is a good place to start. Typically, most pick-up programs will collect things like newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, and plastic containers. In general (again, check your own town’s rules) most recycling centers only collect #1 PETE or #2 HDPE plastics. This number will appear inside the little recycling symbol somewhere on the plastic container.
Some cities and towns don’t collect for you, but they have drop-off centers where you can bring your own recycling. In other towns, you can bring recyclable items like cardboard, aluminum cans and some plastic bottles to large grocery stores. In some cases, they have do-it-yourself style, where you can even receive a cash refund for the stuff you bring back.
Plastic bags are usually #4 LDPE plastic. Many grocery stores will collect this type of plastic bag for recycling. If you forget to bring your own reusable bags when shopping, be sure to return plastic bags to any grocery store that will take them back. Typically, the drop-off station should be right inside the doors, but if you aren’t sure, ask at the customer service desk, or talk to a manager. Keep in mind that shopping bags aren’t the only bags you are using. Clean zip-lock bags, bread bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags and cereal box liners are all recyclable. Check here for a complete list of recyclable and non-recyclable bags, and to find drop-off locations closest to you.
Now that you’ve got the basics down, what else around your home is recyclable?
If you’ve got an automobile, don’t add to its environmental impact. Motor oil is a large pollutant and can cause a lot of damage to the environment if not disposed of properly. Used motor oil can be re-refined: just two gallons of recycled oil can generate enough energy to supply an average home with 24 hours of electricity. In most cases, recycling the motor oil is free for you. Many service stations or quick lubes will accept used oil and filters, but if you can’t find one, enter your zip code to get a list of centers near you.
Car batteries, tires and the metal on cars themselves are also recyclable.
Large appliances can be recycled if you go through the right hauler service. Refrigerators and air conditioners (home and car) contain chlorinated fluorocarbon (CFC), AKA Freon. Each molecule of this chemical can destroy hundreds of thousands of molecules of the earth’s ozone. Make sure CFC’s are drained and recycled properly before you think about throwing it away. When you call a hauling service, ask if they have a disposal system for CFC’s and only contract those who do.
Batteries, cell phones and computers can all be recycled as well. Many providers will take old phones or computers back. Office Depot, Staples and Sprint all take back rechargeable batteries and cell phones. If you are going to the office supply stores, bring your used printer cartridges along for recycling as well. If you can’t find a good location, check here for cell phone recycling locations. For computers, HP will pick up your old computer and computer equipment like printers and recycle them for you.
Also consider donation as a ‘recycling’ option. Computers or appliances that still work would be greatly appreciated to those who can’t afford to buy them new. Organizations like the National Cristina Foundation will take donated, working computers and distribute them to charities, schools or public agencies around the nation.
Take a look around your home. There are so many things you can recycle that often end up in landfills because people don’t know how or where to recycle them. Take a little time and find out where you can put your old stuff besides the garbage.
Check here for a more comprehensive list of recyclable items.
Source: BecauseAction.com
