So we've heard over and over, "Reduce, reuse, recycle", but what does this really mean and why should we care?
I've asked myself these questions too, so don't you worry, we're in the same boat.
After careful research I have learned so much about the importance of recycling. Now I'm a firm believer in doing my part to save the environment.
"Why recycle?" you ask - It's easy as 1, 2, 3...
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1) Recycling reduces our overflowing landfill waste by 25 - 50 percent.
- Americans generate approximately 180,000,000 tons of garbage a year. As landfills overflow, more and more land is needed for garbage dumps, reducing natural farmland and beautiful green space. Woah! That's a huge decrease in trash!
2) Recycling conserves our natural resources and reduces consumption of raw materials.
- Sure, it may sound cliche, but reusing paper saves trees! Recycling paper reduces energy spent on creating new paper materials by 60 percent! Less energy = less pollution for us!
3) Recycling saves money, creates new jobs and stimulates an exhausted economy.
- Did you know that we throw away 27 billion glass containers each year? Glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be reused over and over again.
- National employment studies found that the recycling industry creates four jobs for every one job created in waste management.
- The recycling industry is estimated to provide over 2 million jobs and contribute
over $250 Billion to the GDP.
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Recycling for Dummies: 5 Easy Steps
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1) Find a recycling service or local center.
- Visit Earth 911 to find a recycling center near you!
2) Contact your local center to find out what is acceptable.
- Click here for commonly accepted recyclables. Click here for a complete A-Z list of recyclables that may surprise you!
3) Set up a recycling center in your home.
- All you need to do is buy 4 bins for paper/cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
- Make it fun! This is your chance to let your creative side roam free! Colors, labels, patterns... you make your recycling center fabulous!
Bungalow Scout Shouldah Bin
4) Learn how to sort your recyclables.
- Click here for easy tips on what to look for and how to sort.
5) Practice makes perfect!
- Reminders are great for the fridge! Click here for a printable cheat sheet.
Doesn't sound too hard, right? If we can all follow those simple steps we will be off to a great start!
Inspired? I hope so! After all, a world with less trash is a world with more beauty...
I totally agree with you!
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part for us was setting up an at-home system. We live in an apartment so the other steps are done for us (we just bring things to the trash room) but we still need to separate everything first. We devised a system using leftover paper bags in the kitchen - one for paper, the other for plastics/glass. The first few weeks were tough for my stepson and my husband, both guys who never had to recycle before, but the key was to explain why something should go in a particular bag instead of getting mad when they made a mistake -- now it is old hat!
Absolutely!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more! At first, like all habits that stick, recycling takes effort and practice. The small combination of both truly yields BIG results! It's all about taking that first step and making it your own!
Thank you for your post!!
Thanks so much for the awesome post!
ReplyDelete-Land Source Container Service, Inc.