Read for details--Reuse or recycle?

Question

I am a preschool teacher with (I think) a thought-provoking question. I save just about any kind of container to bring to school to reuse in a different way. Large soup or tomato cans become paintbrush or supplies holders. Shampoo and dish detergent containers become sand and water toys. Plastic frozen dinner containers become paint and sorting trays. All of these things are recycle-able in my town.

So here's my question: Which do you think is better for the environment? To reuse a recycle-able item for a year or so, then throw it out, or just recycle it? I work in an open classroom with 11 teachers in one huge room, and we all share things. So when other teachers get tired of cleaning the plastic paint trays, they go in the trash. When a dish detergent container gets cracked, it goes in the trash. So should I stop brining stuff in and just recycle it?

Answer 1

Well of course the best option is to Reuse, then Recycle. After that it is an academic issue of measuring how much reuse and energy recovery you would realize. Since that involves some crazy math and stuff, it boils down to looking at the end picture. I would prefer to see no Recyclable material ever in the trash, because once it is there it is either going to be burned or buried. Also consider the water use to keep reusing the bottles, especially if you are cleaning paints! I think the best option is to recycle the Plastic bottles at home and use Eco-friendly paper plates & cups for the painting. Even at one time use, the end picture is paper in the trash and plastic not, with quite a bit of water savings to boot!

Tips- You can buy bulk sizes and refill your more handy smaller containers, like hand soap & shampoo, also if the paints in school are safe (duh) then the plates & paint can all go into a Compost pile (Good Carbon).

Most Important is that you are thinking about it & acting in good conscience. Your Children are lucky to have you as a Teacher!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Here is one recycling project/gift idea for all the teachers.  Besides recycling, it will improve your indoor environment and make it healthier.

Items needed:  

One empty plastic container - I like to use the "Tree Top" brand because it has a flat front and back side.  

One black felt marker to outline the potted plant on the front side of the gallon container.

One small potted plant.  If you use an empty two quart plastic container, you don't have to buy the plastic planter for the small potted plant.  Make sure you have ample drainage holes on the bottom.  I use an empty two quart "Langers - All Pomegranate" juice container but any two liter plastic bottle will do.

After marking the outline of the two quart bottle over the one gallon on it's side, carefully cut the hole , insert the two quart bottle into the hole and carefully mark and cut the top off above the hole of the gallon container.  

The only thing you may have to purchase is the some potting mix and slow time release fertilizer, unless you have compost, worm tea or vermacast like I do.

If you have some of the plants around your home listed in the top ten of "NASA's Clean Air Plant Study" use them.