How do I start recycling?

Question

I have a huge family, and in turn, we are churning out a huge amount of garbage. I'm really determined to start recycling, but I'm not sure about how to do it. We have recycling bins, and suppposedly, you can throw everything in it- plastic, paper, etc and they will sort it for you.

Right now, I'm snipping the plastic rings off of milk jugs and coke bottles and uncapping and rinsing them out and peeling off the labels.... is there anything else I should be doing to them?

Any tips about recycling would be helpful : )

Answer 1

Beyond the recycling of refuse there are many things a large family can do to cut down on waste, and I bet you're already doing a lot of it.  You want to reduce the amount of stuff coming into your house, so be active about buying things with minimal packaging.  Take your own re-usable bags to the grocery store.  Don't buy water in bottles- use sturdy ones with their own filters if that's a priority for you.  With a big family you are probably already handing down usable clothing to one another, not wasting food, and being efficient amount your utilities.  With many people in your house you could probably do more about turning off unused appliances and a big thing would be to convert your light bulbs to CFLs, they will help the environment and save your family big bucks.  Try not to use throwaway plates, utensils, etc.  and I encourage you to start a campaign to quit using plastic straws and cup lids.  They are unnecessary, don't biodegrade, and can hurt wildlife.  Overall, take " Reduce, Re-use, Recycle" as your mantra and just do what you can.  Everything helps!!

Answer 2

Consider volunteering some hours at your local Recycle Center. Here in Howell, MI, we have a great facility, Recycle Livingston, and we have volunteered a few times, as a family and as a girlscout troop. We have learned about different types of paper, plastics and the Huge list of things that can be recycled. Each center has rules about sorting which you will want to follow.

Additionally, anything that looks pretty when you take off the lable (some pasta jars) can be used to store things in your pantry. We use old jars for half used boxes of breadcrumbs, nuts, and other dry goods. It looks so nice when you open up the cupboard. The boxes that you empty can by recycled so you are reducing and reusing.

Answer 3

Best way to recycle is to force the manufactures to go back to the old ways. Put milk  beer sodas etc in returnable  glass , not paper or plastic. in other words do away with all no return containers. Yes every thing would cost a little more, but no more than it dose to recycle.

Answer 4

First reduce what you bring in.

Then reuse whatever you can...

Answer 5

Well its a good idea to reduce and reuse first, but the next step to get the rest of your house hold involved would be to....try buying another garbage pale for the kitchen and put it right next to the garbage....above it put a sign that reminds everyone what  goes in there....(papers, plastic, aluminum,) if you have little kids in your family.....try putting pictures or labels off of a coke bottle or something on the sign so the kids are motivated to recycle too! :)

If you are really feeling motivated get a third garbage pale for compost, food, newspaper, fruit peelings, ect.

I bet by the end of the week the original "garbage" will be the  most empty out of the 3!!

:)

Answer 6

Yup. The 3-R: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Check with your local govermment about their recycling program for details. Some communities have set up centers for disposals of hazardous materials - engine oil, paints, pesticides, batteries, etc.

Answer 7

you can also start a compost stack in your backyard. You add anything that is biodegradable- banana peels, bad food, newspaper... not animal poo... and dirt. Every few weeks stir it around after awhile you can add this to a garden. It's full of great stuff that plants will love. Hope this helps, good luck.