R


ecycling saves energy and money, conserves natural resources such as water, trees


and minerals, reduces pollutants and reduces the piles of garbage and trash in landfills. For example, manufacturing a can made from recycled aluminum uses only 5% of the energy required to produce a brand new one. Recycling is a win-win proposition. And it is something everyone of us can do, even in rural areas where recycling centers are more difficult to access than in urban centers.


REDUCE


Actually, the first step in the cycle is to REDUCE. Here are some ways to do that:


w Buy products with little or no packaging and buy the largest size you can use (this reduces trash and saves money!).


w Reduce your junk mail. Go to www. catalogchoice.org and you can opt out of a lot of junk mail.


w Reduce your use of disposables:


w Take your own mug to the coffee shop (recent studies show Styrofoam leaches chemicals into hot liquids).


w Pack the kids’ lunches in reusable lunch boxes.


w Take reusable bags to all stores where you shop, not just grocery stores.


w Use cloth instead of paper napkins and paper towels.


w Use cloth diapers rather than disposable ones (before you reject this, give it a try!). There are biodegradable disposable diapers on the market today as well.


w Buy and refill your own water bottle rather than buying bottled water (a big trash and money saver!).


w Reduce your consumption by buying only what you really need. We all purchase too much stuff that we can do without.


REUSE The second step is to REUSE


w Glass jars and plastic containers can be used for pantry storage and leftovers.


w Turn old clothes, tablecloths, etc. into rags.


The House & Home Magazine 81


w Buy at garage sales and consignment shops.


w Hold a garage sale.


w Repair what you can rather than tossing an item and buying a new one.


w Use junk mail as scratch paper


w Buy reusable rather than disposable products such as cameras, razors, dishes, cups, utensils, pens, and lighters.


RECYCLE


After you have reduced and reused, you still are faced with trash. The idea is to have as little of it as possible end up in landfills. Recycled trash becomes the raw materials for new items, saving energy, water, the environment, and money. And it supports and protects U.S. manufacturing jobs.


Household items which you can recycle are:


w All paper items (junk mail, boxes, magazines, envelopes, food boxes, newspapers, phone books)


w Bottles and cans (aluminum, glass, metal, and plastic)


w Plastic storage bags


w Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery stores.


w Electronic equipment (cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, toner cartridges). Regardless of where you take this stuff, you need to know where it will ultimately be recycled. When you recycle, ask if the end recycler is a certified “E-Steward.” Information can be found at www. e-stewards.org.


w Batteries, both chargeable and non- rechargeable, and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)


w Automotive oil and filters, antifreeze and car batteries can be recycled at many service stations.


HOW TO RECYCLE


Okay, that’s what you can recycle. Here are some tips on how to recycle and make it a part of your family’s routine.


w Find a convenient place to collect recyclable items. Since most recyclables come from the kitchen, that might be a good spot.


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