Recycling – The How-To’s And The Why-Not’s

Believe it or not there are still people out there who aren’t recycling. I know, I know – some places make it easier than others. But did you know that 75% of our trash and waste is recyclable? It’s true. But this means all the people who aren’t following the “reduce, recycle, reuse” mantra are sending recyclable, and sometimes hazardous materials to our land fills! Let’s start with the basics:

 What needs to be recycled?

– Aluminum

– Glass

– Paper

– Plastic

– Steel

– Anything with a “Caution” or “Warning” label

Tip- If you’re unsure if it’s recyclable, check on the bottom of the container and you’ll see a raised triangle symbol with a number in the middle. If the number is a 2 or a 1, recycle it.

How do I start recycling?

All states are different so be sure to research how your own community recycles. Some states have you buy certain containers for your recyclables, be it a certain trash bag or a large plastic box. Some places provide you with the containers but you need to ask for them. Some communities have drop spots where you’ll need to bring your recyclables rather than using curbside recycling.

Most places offer curbside recycling but if your community does not recycle, you should request to start a recycling program. Nine time out of ten, you will be successful.

Why should I start if I’ve never done it before?

Because you should care about the world you live in. By not recycling you are wasting tons of material that can be used to make other products, saving energy, money and materials.

Your un-recycled trash is taking up space in our landfills. Not only that but many recyclable products contain hazardous substances that, once in the landfill, can leach into the ground and contaminate the drinking water.