Recycle

teamtotalwellness · Site Admin Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 27

Recycle

Hi there, I know it has been awhile since I did a Toxin Free Homes newsletter. I came across a couple of cool things on recycling though and had to share.

First is a cute cartoon, about Sam Suds he is on the case of PVC The Poison Plastic. Check it out here: http://www.pvcfree.org/video.htm

Topic two; have you ever wondered what the products you recycle become? Well here is a small list for you. Aluminum cans may get a new life as cookware, bicycles, car parts and even home appliances. Plastic containers can become goggles, benches, fleece or polyfill jackets and even carpets. Paper products may become your next grocery bag, newspaper or magazine and the lower grades egg cartons, fruit trays and even home insulation. Glass is cool because is can be recycled over and over again but can also be a part of marbles, surf boards, roads, sidewalks and even tiles!

Then again trying to know what you can recycle and how to do it can be a place many folks stop, before they even start. So taken from Body + Soul magazine July/August 2007 is a great recycling 101-tip page. Of course, it is always best to check with your local providers.

Recycling 101
While recycling programs vary from city to city, a few rules hold true for most curbside collection programs. To find out about your local regulations or learn how to start a recycling program in your building, neighborhood, or city, visit earth911.org.

Hazardous Waste
This group includes household products that have corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients, such as rodent poisons, paints, batteries, electronics, cleaners, fluorescent lightbulbs, and thermometers.

Do Read product labels for disposal information.

Do Follow the “reduce-reuse-recycle” hierarchy. Reduce the amount of hazardous waste in your home, and use up as much as possible. Donate leftovers (find out where at earth911.org). As a last resort, arrange for disposal through community collection programs (call 1-800-CLEANUP or your local solid waste agency for dates and locations).

Do Participate in take-back and trade-in programs for batteries, computers, cartridges, and some electronics. See company Web sites for instructions.

Don’t Pour hazardous waste down the drain, storm sewer, or in your yard.

Don’t Put electronics out with your trash or recycling. Learn about the impact of “e-waste” and how you can help at svtc.org.

Metals
Do Recycle all aluminum cans. (If you’re not certain if a can is aluminum, test it with a refrigerator magnet. Aluminum isn’t magnetic.)

Do Rinse out tin cans (the kind that soup and pet food come in) before putting them in your bin. You don’t need to remove labels, but if they’re paper and come off easily, recycle them.Do Find out if your program accepts clean aluminum foil.

Do Remove plastic caps from metal containers and recycle them separately.

Do Check to see if your program accepts empty aluminum

Plastic
Do Rinse out containers before recycling.

Do Look beyond the number. Although proÂducts may have the same number, they may not all be recyclable. For example, #2 bottles may be acceptable but not #2 wide-mouthed tubs. Check local rules to find out what’s okay.

Do Find out if your program requires removal of plastic bottle caps, which are often a different type of plastic. When in doubt, remove the cap and throw it away.

Don’t Mix plastic bags, film wrap, or molded plastic with your recyclables. Put film wrap in the garbage and recycle bags at a local supermarket. Donate usable products, such as chairs and kids’ toys, made with molded plastic.

Glass
Do Check local guideÂlines to see which colors of glass (green/blue, brown, clear) jars and bottles you can recycle.

Do Remove caps, lids, and corks from jars and bottles.

Do Rinse out glass containers.

Don’t Put ceramics, heat-resistant ovenware (such as Pyrex and CorningWare), mirrors, windows, lightbulbs, drinking glasses, garden pots, or broken container glass (bottles and jars) into the mix.

Don’t Drive 50 miles to recycle a few bottles. If you don’t have curbside pickup, find a local collection facility or buy-back center (often located at supermarkets).

Paper
Do Keep it clean and dry. For many programs, a greasy pizza box or damp paper towels can render a whole bin useless. Limit moisture by putting recycling out on collection day, rather than the night before.

Do Flatten cardboard.

Do Recycle junk mail, including envelopes with plastic windows, unless local guidelines specify not to.

Do Recycle magazines after removing all samples and non-paper inserts.

Don’t Throw in wax paper, Styrofoam, or heavily soiled paper (like oil-soaked fast-food wrappers).

Don’t Bundle papers together with tape, wire, plastic, or rope. If local guidelines allow bundling, use lightweight string.

Be well!

Theresa
www.livetotalwellness.com/theresa