How To Start Recycling
In the USA, it is estimated that waste accumulates in landfills at a rate of 2 – 5 lbs. of garbage per person every day. This accumulates to a huge amount of garbage over a person’s lifetime. However, this impact can be reduced by initiating some helpful recycling practices to help reduce your environmental impact.
What Can Be Recycled?
The first thing that you should do is to learn about the recycling rules in your community:
- Is it necessary to have blue boxes or specific bins?
- How should your recycling be packaged?
- How does it need to be sorted?
- Is there a collection service or does it need to be dropped off?
- What can be recycled?
Keeping everything organized in your home will make the process faster and easier.
Bin Systems
Having the right bins available for your recycling is important for keeping everything in order. Typically, a blue box with certain size restrictions is required for municipal pickups. These can be purchased in stores for a low price. If there are no restrictions on size or color, then here are some tips to consider for a good bin:
- Bins with a lid or flap to keep odors contained.
- Bins large enough to accommodate newspapers laying flat.
- Bins should be big enough to handle all of your recycling until the next pickup cycle.
- Bins should be made out of durable plastic or metal.
Organizing Your Recycling
It is ideal to have a bin dedicated to each type of recycling. This will help keep your sorting in order and make it faster and easier to separate. Here are a few general types of recycling:
- Cardboard
- Cans/Tins
- Compost
- Glass
- Papers/Newspapers
- Plastics
Other Recycling Tips
It is also possible to recycle organic and food waste by composting it. This will create a healthy supplement for your garden.
Cans and tins should be crushed to save space in your recycling bin. Washing them will also help cut down on odor or pests in your recycling area.
