recycle

Last week we looked at the new “R” in the reduce, reuse, recycle phrase of “refuse.”  This week we’re going to talk about “recycle.”  This whole “Waste Less and Be Green in 2015” series has focused heavily on reducing.  It is my hope that by the end of the year you’ll have significantly reduced your garbage, and also your recycling!

Recycling is awesome.  It’s amazing that we’re able to take materials and remake them into something new!  Everyone should be recycling.  It’s easy, doesn’t take much extra time and ensures that your waste isn’t going to sit in a landfill for thousands of years.  I’ve been known to dig recycling out of the tops of garbage cans and off the sides of the street.

However, the “issue” with recycling becomes the fact that there is still an environmental impact on recycling.  Recycle facilities use a huge amount of electricity and water. There’s been a big push for recycling as the LAST option.  This is another big habit shift but one that will ultimately result in a healthier Earth (and maybe even a healthier you depending on what items you’re purchasing).

Ways to switch to recycling as the LAST option:

  • Reuse glass jars for bulk refills
  • Post empty glass jars and wine bottles on the free section of Craigslist
  • Donate old toilet paper tubes to a local school or Boys and Girls club for art projects
  • Make veggies from scratch instead of purchasing canned or jarred
  • Check out Pintrest for gift ideas made with “recyclable’ items
  • Make homemade pasta sauce and pesto from scratch
  • Use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic
  • Give gifts wrapped in cloth (look up furoshiki gift wrap for some really cool tutorials)
  • Make your own kombucha and give up soda
  • Sign up for the National Do Not Mail List to reduce your junk mail http://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/
  • Cancel catalogs
  • Call the 800 number on the back of credit card offers to be removed from the mailing list
  • Use glass instead of plastic containers

For anything you can’t recycle check out TerraCycle.  They take dozens of items from food packaging to old clothing and upcycle them.  TerraCycle is an awesome resource for anyone wanting to reduce your waste!

This week try to switch your mindset over to recycling as a last option.  I’m excited to hear some of the changes you make!  Let me know in the comments below or at blog@keeper.com

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