Confused about your local recycling program? Learn how to recycle, reduce, and reuse your way to a greener life with these simple tips.
#1: JOIN YOUR LOCAL RECYCLING PROGRAM
Every American city and town has a recycling program with curbside pickup, but every facility has different recycling capabilities.
If you're not yet involved, contact your local public works department to participate, get a designated bin, and follow their local guide to determine which items are and aren't eligible to recycle.
#2: PLACE YOUR BINS IN CONVENIENT SPOTS
If your garbage bin is in the kitchen, but your recycling bin is down a floor and in your closed-up garage, you're more likely to throw out recyclables than take the time to run your items out every time.
Keep your big recycling bin wherever you need it, but place a small recycling bin right beside your garbage, emptying it into your big bin a few times each week. Make recycling easy, and you'll be amazed at how much more items you'll save from the landfill.
We also suggest leaving a small bin in your car if you tend to eat and drink on the go.
#3: DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD ELECTRONICS PROPERLY
E-waste refers to any used whole or partial electronics, including old TVs, smartphones, computers, tablets, batteries, light bulbs, copiers, and more.
Certain components of some electronics contain hazardous materials, like battery acid and cathode-ray tubes, that make them unsuitable for the dump or regular recycling programs.
Instead, you should take your old electronics to local drop-off recycling centers that specifically accept e-waste.
#4: USE RECYCLING CENTERS
Speaking of recycling drop-off centers, you can still recycle items if if they aren’t accepted by your local curbside pickup.
Look into the products accepted at drop-off centers in your area and save up local "non-recyclables" until you have a pile ready to drop off at a center that takes them.
If you're short on extra space to hold recyclables, try a paper shredder or can crushers for recycling for more compact storage. Stuff like can crushers for recycling can really make a difference in the amount of space your recyclables are taking up.
#5: START A WORK RECYCLING PROGRAM
If your business doesn't currently have a recycling program, ask management to start one.
Most offices consume paper and other recyclables that can easily be diverted from the landfill with a curbside recycling program. If they're hesitant, offer to take the lead and keep a small box under your desk to start collecting items to recycle.
Follow our tips and start recycling your way and reducing your impact on your local and global environment!