Recycling 101

Today recycling is a basic requirement just about  anywhere you live. It can be annoying, but it is important and in some places there are actually penalties for not complying!

​Depending upon where you live the rules are different. Where I live we need to separate our recyclables and put them out on different days.  In other locations they have what is called "single stream recycling" where everything gets recycled together and separated elsewhere. This is in my opinion the best way and if you are lucky enough to live in a 'single stream' town then good for you!  

​Whether you live in a single stream town or an area that needs to be separated like me,  read the series below to learn how to make the process as painless as possible.  And remember, you are helping the Earth and future generations!

• Read Recycling Part I - At Home Basics to learn more about recycling aluminum and tin cans, plastics #1 and #2, glass jars and bottles, and paper and corrugated cardboard.
• Read Recycling Part II - Oddball Stuff to learn more about other products that are recyclable in other ways and where and how to get rid of it, and learn about household hazardous waste - stuff that never should end up in the garbage!

A Note About Recycling:
One thing that drives me crazy is when people reuse recyclable plastic items in ways that make them into non-recyclable items. For example, cutting up plastic bottles and being creative with them is fun, but this removes them from the recycle 'cycle' which in turns creates a need for more new plastic that will itself need to be recycled. Get it? Try to remember to recycle any and all plastic that can be recycled so that we can decrease the need to create more from scratch! Better yet, try to use less, or NO, plastic at all!

Items to Recycle at specific locations:

• Computers - Apple Re-use/Recycling Program
• Sneakers - NIKE REUSE-A-SHOE grinds down worn out athletic shoes and turns them into new places to play.
• Denim Jeans - Recycle through BLUE JEANS GO GREEN

5 cent Deposits:
Don't throw away those nickels!  Recycle the 5 cent deposit bottles.  How do can you make this easy for yourself?  Wash them out immediately and keep a tote/bin in the back of your car.  Line the tote with paper towels so they will dry.  Put them in there at the same time that you take out the garbage or in the morning when you go for a walk. This way when you go grocery shopping, they are first on your agenda and you can't forget them at home!!

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Check out our Pinterest boards:

• Recycling (different ideas on what, how, and where to recycle)
• Selling & Donating (find ideas and places to sell and donate all kinds of items!)
• Repurposing (a plethora of unique and creative ideas...)
• Reusable Items (includes many products you may not have heard of before!)

Thank you for visiting!
​Sincerely,