| Green Lifestyle: Making a Difference | | | | caps into the can recycling bin. |
| There are many ways we can have a positive impact | | | | Recycling Programs |
| on our environment, especially if we follow the simple | | | | Some communities have a curb side pick up service |
| guide to reduce, reuse, and recycle! When you | | | | for the recyclables, which makes it easy to recycle. |
| reduce your consumption of energy it helps save on | | | | But what if there is no pick-up serviced offered in |
| your utility bill and your pocket book. There are many | | | | your area? Start a recycling program of your own!! |
| other areas of daily living where we can apply the | | | | Most people belong to at least one group, or |
| simply concept of "Reduce" to benefit our | | | | organization, a church, a garden club, are involved |
| environment. | | | | with their children's school, etc. With a little |
| Waste Management | | | | organization and a small group of volunteers, you can |
| We all produce trash that is hauled off by the waste | | | | get other members to contribute to your recycling |
| management companies to a landfill. Reducing the | | | | program, with the funds going to help the |
| amount of garbage your household disposes of is a | | | | organization/group as an on-going fundraiser. |
| first step. This can be accomplished by removing any | | | | While recycling is a proactive activity that will help |
| recyclable material from your garbage. Set up a | | | | contribute to a cleaner environment, there are a few |
| recycling system to separate the different recycling | | | | other tips to take your conservation efforts one |
| materials. Three basic recycling bins will serve most | | | | step further! |
| households, paper, glass, and cans. | | | | Reduce |
| Paper Recycling | | | | - Avoid buying items that are overly packaged |
| Tossing your paper into a recycled paper bin is easy | | | | - Reusable coffee filters and cloth napkins save |
| to do, so why do so many people throw it into the | | | | waste |
| garbage to clog the landfills with usable materials? | | | | - Get in the habit of taking your own reusable |
| Habit. But habits can be changed! Set aside an area | | | | carrying bags with you when you go shopping |
| for paper recycling. This is where you place your | | | | Reuse |
| newspapers, junk mail (aha, there is a useful purpose | | | | - Reuse scrap paper for notes; use both sides of the |
| for this irritant), any paper that you toss out, toss it | | | | paper before tossing it in the recycle bin! |
| in this pile. You can also flatten empty dry food | | | | - Use refillable containers when possible |
| boxes (cereal boxes, cardboard egg cartons, etc), | | | | - Switch to rechargeable batteries |
| paper towel and toilet paper tubes, tissue boxes, and | | | | Recycle |
| toss them in your paper recycle bin. | | | | - Hold a garage sale to recycle your unwanted junk |
| Recycling Cans | | | | - Drop off unwanted items to a thrift store |
| Recycling aluminum cans is common, especially since | | | | - Before you throw something out, decide whether |
| they have a bounty on their return. While flattening | | | | someone else could use your unwanted item. |
| aluminum cans can conserve space, check with your | | | | Freecycle is a cool place to advertise for free items |
| local recycling center to determine their requirements. | | | | you don't want and you just might find a happy |
| Some recycling centers want the cans in their original | | | | person willing to take it off your hands for you! |
| shape. Not just soda cans and beer cans are | | | | Recycling Center |
| recyclable; look for the recycling stamp on the can if | | | | If you are not sure where to recycle in your area |
| you are not sure. | | | | you can check at 911Earth for a location near you. |
| Glass Recycling | | | | Every little bit helps. Your efforts to reduce, reuse, |
| Clear empty jars are great for recycling. There is no | | | | and recycle can have a positive impact on the world |
| need to remove the labels, but be sure and rinse | | | | we all share. |
| them out before tossing in the recycle bin. Toss the | | | | |