Should I compost or recycle first?

Question

I am fullfilling my resolutions step by step. I have already started a burn pile to reduce throwing away papers, and other burnable material. I ahve started my family on an all natural, organic diet. Now it is time to start another item on my list. What is left is composting and recycling.

Now recycling is not available by pick up in my area. So it's not as easy as just calling the company and signing up. I'd have to do most of it on my own. But it's not a big deal as I am a SAHM and really want to recycle.

I think both items probably take up equal amounts of trash in our household. I don't think one is bigger than the other. Both would require me getting various supplies.

Opinions please??

Answer 1

Both are easy to do.  You should just start tomorrow on both!

Call your local recycling plant and ask what they take.  Buy containers that will fit in your car (unless you have a truck, van, etc..then just get trash cans).  Be sure to find out how they separate at the recycling place, to save time and trouble having to sort it all later.  Buy a trashcan or bin for each type of recycleable they will take.  Its really easy...probably something you could easily get done during the day while out running errands, provided that you are close to it.

Be careful what you do compost.  This site has a good list of what you can and cannot compost: http://www.compostguide.com/  as well as other composting tips and ideas.

Answer 2

Yay for you for doing your resolutions! I always have some too every year and I think it's great when other people come through on them like you obviously are!

I really like your resolutions and I would like to share what I couldn't help but think right away when I read your question.  Whenever I see recycle, I always think of my friend's bumper sticker: Reuse before Recycle.  

Just food for thought.  I really like that saying, so I'm sure that you would reuse plastic containers and glass bottles instead of buying tupperware and such or donate cartons to schools for projects. Also, if you want to extend that further, frequent thrift stores to avoid buying new products if you don't already.

Is there a place you can bring your recycling?  We have a drop off recycling center where I live - we pack it out every couple weeks or so. Maybe that can be a solution.  

If you go with recycling and composting might be too much for you to take on right away but you find yourself wanting to do it, think about getting a worm bin.  I love mine and it's a great alternative to building a potentially stinky/messy compost if that turns you off.  The concept is similar to composting but unfortunately the worms have a limit to the amount of food they eat and turn into beautiful soil.  (Which is a great side-business opportunity by the way - worm soil is amazingly rich) Worm bins are clean and odorless if maintained correctly and it can be kept discreetly in-home.  And kids love them!

Google Worm-bins and Red Wigglers (the most common type of worm-bin-worm) if you need more info - there are some nice companies that make really neat worm-bins and send worms and starter material out with the bin.

Enjoy being green!

Answer 3

compost things that could decompost such as your doodoo and charmin paper after you pooped. and recycle those by dumping them in your yard or trees.

Warning: can cause suffocation. Keep out of childen!

Answer 4

Do both at the same time.  Compost what you can and make a sorted collection of any other garbage.  The way I do this is with a bunch of garbage cans in the garage, labeled one each as follows:

white paper

colored paper

clear plastic

colored plastic

clear glass

colored glass

wood

aluminum

steel

copper

brass

When a can gets full, just take it to the recycling center instead of the dump.

Answer 5

Why not both?

In these cold, winter months (I use the term "cold" very loosely), you may not be able to start a full scale compost heap, but at least a garbage can one.

Make it into a "worm farm", to make it fun for the kids too, and then you can plant a garden together in the spring with your fertile soil. Just put a layer of dirt in a garbage can, then toss in your compost, and add some worms after a rainy day, and viola!

While you're at it, have a second can for recycling, and have it easy access so your family can easily recycle/add to the compost when they go to throw something out.

I really think its great that you're doing so much to help the environment... More people should stop debating whether or now the ice caps are going to melt before they decompose and DO something about it!

Hope I helped, and Best of Luck with which ever you choose! =]

Answer 6

Compost what you can (including the newspapers). Burning adds to global warming! Remember not to put cooked food, meat or fish in a compost bin - it attracts rats!

These can be put in a wormery - however it has to be located somewhere where it's not subject to frost.

Do you have a garden? For a compost heap to work you need garden rubbish (lawn mowings, weeds, etc) as well as kitchen waste and for it to heat up properly (necessary to kill weed seeds, fungal spores etc) it needs to be at least a metre cubed. If you haven't got enough waste to fill a bin that size, a wormery would be your best solution.

Visit Garden Organic, www.gardenorganic.org.uk, for lots of info about composting and organic matters generally.

Answer 7

I would suggest composting.  It would be easier than recycling due to lack of facilities.  It is someone anyone can do on their own.  You can build your own pile in the yard or buy a patio composter.

Some information on composting can be found here.

http://www.howtocompost.org/

I always recommend that people start with the easier changes first.  This way you don't get discouraged and you are willing to make the next change.

I am sure once you get the nack of composting down you will want to find a way to recycle too.

Answer 8

Don't burn anything. Most all home waste can be composted or recycled.  If it can not be recycled or composted, it is probably plastic that is not recyclable and this should not be burned.  When you burn items without emission controls, You release pollutants like carbon dioxide.  This causes greater harm than just letting the stuff go to a land fill.  If you have a use for compost, compost all you can and recycle the rest, if not, compost only what you have to and recycle the rest.

Answer 9

compost what you can then the reminder of stuff that can be recycled place in separate bags and when you have a large enough of materials take to the depot.Also separate materials that have a deposit to the and take to the proper site

Answer 10

First: you shouldn't burn anything but maybe old bills or account numbered items, most towns outlaw burning, and the state is talking about banning it state-wide, however,if you'd crosscut shred these paper items, you could add them to your compost pile. Also in your pile, add coffee grounds, egg shells, grass, leaves, peals, etc. Second: check with your local city, they may have a central "dump" spot for recyclable items. Compost  piles can be made as simple as chicken wire and 3 or 4 tomato style poles you put in the ground and wrap with the wire. Check on the net, it'll show how to maintain a pile to get the most topsoil out of it.

Answer 11

Composting it's quite amusing actually.

Recycling-In the summer i followed a course on how to use objects to be thrown away.U can build toys musical instruments etc.I could snd it to u but it's all in italian.Maybe if u ask around your are you find some courses on this subject.