Getting my roommates into recycling?!!!!!?

Question

I know that me and my 3 other roommates produce a lot of waste and its awful on the environment. I try to recycle and set aside all our bottles and cans but they always end up getting thrown out with the regular stuff, my roommates no matter how many times I tell them wont get it together and get real about recycling. They say they are interested and one of them even brought home the huge recycle bin.

I need to come up of ways to make it easy for all of us to recycle. Were all really busy so it does make it really hard to get anything together. I was just hoping to think of ways to get them involved and make it simple.

any ideas??

Answer 1

I just keep two trashcans...one for trash, and the other for recyclables. Granted, I live where recycling is the norm, and it's picked up weekly with the trash. Even if you do have to take it to recycling center, having it all bagged already makes it pretty quick and painless... and who doesn't like an extra $20 just for turning in soda cans?

Answer 2

u save money if u recyle, maybe they would listen more. Good Luck!!! WE will make this a better place

Answer 3

I think you are on to something - you need to make it easy.  Why would someone walk across the house to put paper in a paper bin if the garbage can is right there.

So, be sure to put even a small garbage can or box in the rooms that produce waste - paper bin in the office, glass and plastic bins in the kitchen, and maybe another paper one where you open mail.  As long as you are all happy with the appearance of the bins, it should work well.

As far as the trouble of sorting and/or turning it all in, you should be able to solve sorting problems just by having separate bins for everything.  If you have to turn it in (no pick-up in your area), why not do it once a month or once every two weeks and then all go out for dinner to celebrate?  Make it a fun thing that you can be proud of.  It sounds like all of you are on the right track, so you should find success.  Good luck!

Answer 4

tell them intersting facts like recycling a can saves enough energy to run your TV 3 hours!

Answer 5

Try explaning to them how recycling works and why we should ecycle,if they still wouldnt listen,try telling them the benefits of recycling :)

That will helps :)

Answer 6

We have been doing recycling for about 20 years.

I think everyone should have to do it and not just a few.

Make a certain spot for garbage and recyclable stuff.  

We have a corner with a wastebasket for garbage, another for recycleables and another for aluminum because my husband takes in the aluminum every year and gets about $40 for it, just pop cans.

Our recyclables go into a blue bag and set out with the garbage which is in a white garbage bag.

Check with your garbage pick up company about what they will take as recycleables.

It's not hard if you keep up with it and put stuff into the right container as you are done with it.