Our trash bin is rarely full but our recycle bin is busting at the seams nearly every week. I’m always asking my neighbor if I can put our overflow of recyclables in his bin. Most people don’t realize that lots of stuff that we toss in the garbage can be recycled. They just throw things away because they either assume it cannot be recycled or they just don’t bother. In fact, more than 75 % of waste is recyclable, but only about 30 % of it actually gets recycled!
Glass jars, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, cans, some of this stuff is obvious but people still neglect to fill their recycle bins each week. Someone once told me that they don’t recycle because there is no room for a bin under their kitchen sink. Seriously?!! Make room. The mud room, the laundry room, the bathroom, garage anywhere! Recycling is probably the easiest thing that a person can do to live a greener existence.
Even that clear, hard plastic packaging used for toys and other goods can be recycled as can shipping boxes, department store bags, tissue paper and some types of wrapping paper. Milk cartons and those liquid cartons that contain juice, egg nog and broth can be recycled as well. Those containers have a high grade fiber so they work well in paper mills.
My kids and I went on a tour of our local landfill. Not exactly a trip to Legoland but it was interesting, the boys had fun and we learned a lot. Our guide told us, when in doubt, recycle. She said if you’re not sure whether or not an item is recyclable throw it in the recycle bin because they sort through everything anyway. Not every municipality is run the same but you can call yours with questions. Certain items like tires, electronics, carpeting, appliances, paint, etc. are not always easy to recycle because you usually have to find a drop off center but it can be done, just go online for information on your area. Just do what you can, every little bit helps.
“We can help educate our families and communities about the importance of recycling for our environment, and how each of us can make a difference for a better world by recycling”
-Robert Alan Silverstein
It’s so true. I always try to make sure that I recycle an item, if I don’t have a use for it around the house.
Heidi’s Wanderings
That’s great, I wish everyone would!
~Kelly
Great reminder for everyone to recycle! My family has gotten MUCH better with this. We are also making more of an effort to upcycle and re-purpose things. I have been doing this a lot with stuff for my daughter. Like sensory activities with old bottles, etc.
Upcycling is such a great thing to do. I’ve been doing more of that too 🙂
~Kelly
We have a couple bins for our recyclables. We don’t have pick up service but our bins our big enough that we make runs about every other week.
Can’t believe you don’t have a pick up service! Awareness is so high regarding this issue, every municipality should offer it. Very responsible of you to make runs every week!
~Kelly
It’s really great that you make runs, not every one would be that responsible if they didn’t have a service.
~Kelly
Seriously! We just moved from NYC to India and here, EVERYTHING gets reused. Forget recycling… we eke a new life out of everything. Plastic bags get washed ans used infinitely, as do any containers that once held food. Sheets with holes? No matter, they can be turned into hankerchiefs or table napkins…
xo Naomi │ Be Ready Bravely
It would drive me crazy if they refused a lot of things! I’m very impressed with your upcycling & reusing of items ~ very green 🙂
~Kelly
Great post! I’m the same way I recycle almost everything and only have to take out my garbage once a week tops (unless there’s food or other circumstances). It is ridiculous that people complain about not having room for recycling bins in their homes! I live in a 540 sq ft apartment, it is literally microscopic and I keep my recycling bin in my linen closet so I can recycle and not have to look at everything! You can always find room somewhere!
My wife and I “reinvented” the trash can to make an eco-friendly trash/recycling alternative. We also had our kids in mind when we made it. Our project is live on Kickstarter at http://kck.st/YUTM0H. If you want an easier way to recycle for your family, please check it out. Happy recycling!
That’s great, I will check it out!
~Kelly
I try to recycle as much as possible. The idea of items collecting in dumb sites really bothers me. I even have dreams at night of bodies of water filled with trash and items that will never break down. I guess it is just my wild curiosity about how we produce so much trash yet you rarely see where it goes. It disappoints me how few people recycle when it is such an easy, easy thing to do.
I completely agree, it rally is the easiest way to be green.
~Kelly
Thank you, I like that you like it!
~Kelly