Recycling is one of the easiest things someone can do to help the environment, yet many people aren’t sure what to do with their reusable waste. Either they attempt to recycle the wrong materials, or they unthinkingly throw their recyclable materials out with the rest of their trash. Even now that there are more resources and programs that make recycling easier than ever, some people still don’t quite know where to begin.
Fortunately, recycling truly is easier than ever before. It does require some changes in how you reuse materials and dispose of your waste, but those changes are relatively minor and will become habit before long. With that being said, here are a few recycling tips to keep in mind.
Reuse What You Can
Recycling is more than just knowing where to throw some of your trash; it’s also about knowing what can be kept and reused. Plastic takeout containers can be washed out and used to store leftovers, and broken electronics and other tools can be repaired. Even things such as disposable paper towels and napkins can be replaced with washable hand towels. Keep a few of them in your kitchen and throw them in your washing machine when they become soiled. Not only will this save you money, but you will greatly cut down on waste in your home.
Know What Can and Cannot be Recycled
Not everything can be recycled, which poses some problems when plastic bags or food items get tossed out with aluminum cans and newspapers. When it comes time to throw something away, look closely at the packaging. You might notice a triangle-shaped recycling symbol that indicate that an item either can be recycled or was made from recycled materials. There are different symbols with different meanings, but you can be reasonably sure that most containers bearing these symbols can be recycled.
Contact Your Local Waste Management Company
Waste management companies across the country have their own recycling programs ranging from curbside pickup services to periodical electronic recycling dates. Contact your local waste management company to find out what programs are in your area. If you aren’t sure who to contact, your local city hall should have that information. These programs vary in the services they offer and what they can recycle, but this is always a great place to begin if you want to learn how you can recycle more of your trash.
