Have You Recycled Today?

I once heard someone say that if you want a project done, to work on it, a little each day, everyday. At first, it may be overwhelming, but after some time, looking back, you will see the progress you have made. I have to admit, that recycling can have its challenges. I run into so many questions, that I believe not only hold myself back, but others too.

Questions like What can you recycle? Paper? Plastic? Milk Cartons? Is something that is already 98% recycled, still able to be recycled? Here are some things that we have listed to recycle. If we all pitch in a little everday, we can make this city a better place....

I try my best to take part in recycling on a day to day basis. I am still making it part of my everyday routine, forming a habit of its own. At work I volunteer to order kitchen supplies for one of the kitchen's on our floor. I figured everyday, I will restock and reorder as necessary. At the same time, I can participate in making sure that items are being properly recycled and not over-used. For example, paper-cups. At my work, we all use them, rather for coffee, tea, soda or to hold paper-clips in. So I decided to mention having company Coffee Mugs made for each employee. Not only will we feel good about having a special mug to use, but we cut down on using unnecessary paper.

Ways to guide you in the right recycling direction

All Clean Dry Paper
Computer, ledger, wrapping, colored, arts and craft paper, unwanted mail, flyers, telephone books, note cards, newspaper, blueprints, magazines, file folders, paper bags, Post-it notes, catalogs, and all envelopes including those with windows

All Cardboard Boxes and Chipboard
Cereal, tissue, dry food, frozen food, shoe, and detergent boxes; paper and toilet rolls; and corrugated boxes broken down and flattened

All Aluminum, Tin, Steel Metal, and Bi-Metal Cans
Rinsed if possible, soda, juice, soup, vegetables, and pet food cans; pie tins; clean aluminum foils; empty paint and aerosol cans with plastic caps removed, and wire hangers

All Glass Bottles and Jars
Rinsed if possible, soda, wine, beer, spaghetti sauce, pickle jars, broken bottles, and etc.

All Clean Plastics
Empty Plastic Containers ( through)
Rinsed if possible, soda, juice, detergent, bleach, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, dishwashing liquid bottles, milk jugs, tubs for margarine and yogurt, plastic planters, food and blister packaging, rigid clamshell packaging, etc.

All Plastic Bags and All Film Bags
Grocery bags and dry cleaner bags, all all clean film plastic

All Clean Polystyrene (Styrofoam®)
Styrofoam® cups, containers, and packaging such as Styrofoam® eggshell cartons, Styrofoam® block packaging, and Styrofoam® clamshell packaging

Miscellaneous Plastics
Plastic coat hangers, non-electric plastic toys, plastic swimming pools, & plastic laundry baskets

by Kristen White

Learn more about recycling