How to recycle and reuse your trash to protect the environment
by Andrea Lozoya
According to the EPA, the average person produces about 5 pounds of trash every day. Fortunately, many everyday items can be recycled to promote a cleaner and greener environment. Recycling and reusing can help produce less trash in landfills that ultimately harms our soil, air, and water. Here are helpful tips on how to recycle your trash, which materials are recyclable, and creative DIY upcycling ideas to keep you and your family busy and the planet cleaner.
How to recycle your trash at home
The first step to recycling starts with the three R's rule : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Here are tips on how you can implement each of these R's in your everyday life:
Reduce
- Plan a day at the beach where you can not only soak up the sun but also pick up trash. This will teach you and your family about marine pollution and encourage children to think about the impact of trash on the oceans and its creatures.
- Reduce your plastic consumption by using a reusable water bottle and filling it with tap water. This not only saves money, but also reduces the need for plastic bottles, which are not biodegradable.
- Buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than in plastic packaging. Bring reusable bags to avoid unnecessary plastic packaging.
- Avoid products with excessive packaging. When shipping, you can reuse old envelopes and boxes. Order from online retailers that use sustainable packaging.
reuse
- When picnicking: Use reusable cutlery, dishes and cups instead of disposable ones. Adopt this practice at home too to avoid unnecessary waste.
- Use boxes or sustainable carrier bags for your shopping instead of plastic bags from the supermarket.
- Say no to plastic straws and disposable coffee cups. Use a stainless steel water bottle or a thermal mug instead.
Recycle
- Separate your waste into biodegradable, non-degradable and other materials. Different colored containers can make separation easier.
- Check with your local waste management service for recycling options. Many cities offer free recycling services and provide bins for you to use.
What can you recycle – and how?
The most common recyclable materials are paper, glass, metal and plastic . Here are some tips on how to recycle them properly:
Paper
- Disassemble and fold boxes to fit more into the paper container.
- Recycle everything made of paper: envelopes, wrapping paper, greeting cards, magazines, newspapers and phone books.
- Cardboard rolls from toilet paper or kitchen paper can also be recycled.
Glass
- Glass is infinitely recyclable and can also be reused. Recycle bottles, jars and containers as often as possible.
- Dispose of glass in special containers and be careful when handling it to avoid injuries.
- Separate glass bottles from window panes or mirrors, as recycling centers often treat them separately.
plastic
- Recycle plastic containers like water bottles or dressing bottles. Clean them thoroughly first.
- Find out about the disposal of black plastic, as it is often not recyclable.
metal
- Recycle anything made of metal, such as spray cans, aluminum foil or beverage cans. Crush aluminum cans to save space.
- Clean scrap metal before recycling it – clean metal often fetches higher prices.
- Electronics such as computers or consoles often need to be recycled separately because they contain hazardous chemicals.
food scraps
- Turn kitchen waste into compost – perfect for a sustainable garden.
- Eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags are ideal for composting.
Creative Upcycling Ideas
With a little creativity, you can reduce waste, protect the environment and even discover new hobbies. Recycling and upcycling are not only good for the earth, but also for your wallet and your everyday life. 🌍
This article was originally published at Porch.com
July 5, 2021
By Andrea Lozoya
https://porch.com/advice/recycle-reuse-trash-cleaner-environment