trying to recycling everything?

Question

i woke up this morning and decided that i am going to make a concious effort to recyle everything, i have drove my kids mad today, i phoned up my local council for some extranhelp, i have always recycled paper and glass. but has anyone any more advise to help me.

Answer 1

There are plastics that are recyclable, I believe most products are now, and they can be turned in with the aluminium in your designated recycle bins, unless otherwise noted that they need to be separated. If you own a trash compactor, that would be beneficial as well, save space in landfills. Be careful of the products that you do buy, the chemicals for cleaning the home are most toxic, more than their own packaging. Return your grocery bags to the store. Use a burlap bag for your purchases. Reuse plastic and glass when ever possible.

Answer 2

It is difficult, as you will need to take trips to the local amenity recycling centre. Batteries are one of the worst environmetal problems that go to landfill (deadly metal contamination if leaks out to soil and this can then get into crops which are eaten by animals - hence entering the food chain) and the public are unaware of this.

If you have the time and patience you can do this:

Papers in local collection
Glass in local collection
Plastics (depends where you live if local collection available) recycle
Tins/metals recycle
Organics (bread, garden trimmings, wood, food peelings) in compost bin (except meat waste or you end up with maggot infestation)
Batteries recycle at amenities

Answer 3

Start simple by trying to use less energy around your house (don't run the dishwasher unless you have to, save water, etc) and then just resuse or recycle all your containers - just look on the bottom of all containers and boxes, you'd be surprised. Your city will give you a list of what they will take but most will take cardboard, so even things like cereal boxes, etc. Shop for recycled paper towels (or try to use them twice)

Answer 4

Our doorstep collections are split into three, glass, paper and old clothes. Local refuse collection points at supermarkets etc often collect these three materials. The bigger local dumps also recycle cardboard, and garden waste, ours has special areas for batteries, old computers, will have a wood skip and has another one for hardcore/stones etc.

I use carrier bags for bin liners, and take showers instead of baths, only having one luxury bath a week. I use a sheet in between the duvet, so the duvet and cover do not have to be washed as often, and its easier to put the sheet and pillow cases in each week. Switch off all appliances, I recently saw that by turning of the TV and Stero completely, you can save up to £8 a month on your electric bill. contact your electric company,many are giving away one free economy light bulb.

Trying buying clothes that will wash well on 30 setting.

Hope these ideas help, its good that we are all trying to be a bit greener.

Answer 5

My son has some great ways .... turn off the water while brushing your teeth
if an ice cube falls out the fridge put it on a plant instead of the sink
water plants etc at night
use a clothesline instead of a dryer in the warm months
wash dishes instead of a dishwasher(takes power and 3x the amount of water)
put a brick in the tank of your toliet if not a water level below 2 gallons( this will help save the water too)
time your showers and get to the best time
theromosats set at 70 in winter and 75 in summer
many more but don't want to be too much on here! Hope that helps water is our main source in this life!

Answer 6

If you live in London, have a look at:

http://www.recycleforlondon.com/index.cfm

This lists all the recycling sites in London, including what they collect.

If you're outside London, try the nation-wide site Recycle Now:

http://www.recyclenow.com/

There's loads of great advice on both sites.

I agree with one of the other posters - it's probably easier to start out one step at a time rather than trying to change your lifestyle in a week. That's the way which worked best for me and for getting friends interested.

Answer 7

You can take batteries to Radio Shack or Lowes or Home Depot. I would go to Lowes or Home Depot, a couple of years back I worked at RS and nobody ever took care of the batteries. This is where the real recycling should take place. In business, every job I ever worked at didnt recycle.

Answer 8

you can also recycle your plasitc bottles too. most major supermarkets with recycling banks have plastic recycling bin. or if u have a garden you can make your own compost with left over food and things like fruit peel (sounds gross but works well!)doesnt say what area you live in but have you been issued with a green recycle box? you can put all sorts in those glass, tin, paper.

Answer 9

my mom also recycle everything, newspaper, cans and all lot things. you are doing the right thing, keep it up! how about using less plastics bags when doing shopping? do something that could also contribute in green living. try to make your kids understand what the world is coming to right now, so recycle! let them watch documentary about something like that.

Answer 10

You can recycle plastic and aluminum cans. "Paper" can include paper bags, magazines and newspapers. You can donate unwanted clothing to a "goodwill" or charity. The city you live would also be a good resource for you to find out what other items you can recycle. Just contact the city and ask for their suggestions.