Paper/Cardboard
• Most communities offer paper recycling.
You can recycle cardboard, office paper, mag-
azines, newspapers, dairy cartons, and even
phonebooks! Reducing use of paper and recy-
cling paper saves trees.
the stronger polypropylene lastic. phones.
#6: PS (Polystyrene)
• Or called Styrofoam, used in items such as cof-
fee cups, disposable cutlery, meat trays, pack-
ing “peanuts” and insulation.
• Can be reprocessed into many items, includ-
ing rigid insulation. Food
• Donate excess food or surplus inventory to
pantries and food banks.
• Compost!
• Vegetables, fruits, coffee & tea grains,
and garden trimmings can be composted.
• Dairy, meat, fats/oils, pet waste should
not be composted.
Plastic (7)
Did you know recycling just 10 plastic bottles
saves enough energy to power a laptop for 25.4 #7: Others
hours? (2)
• Crafted from various combinations of the
plastics or from unique plastic formulations not
Know what the symbols mean!
commonly used.
• Labeled as #7 or nothing at all.
#1: PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
• Most difficult to recycle and most places don’t
• Easiest and most common to recycle.
accept it so usually goes into trash.
• Used in soda and water bottles.
• Try to not purchase #7 plastics when possible
• Once processed by a recycling facility, PET can or attempt to return such items to the product
become fiberfill for winter coats, sleeping bags manufacturers if possible.
and life jackets, bean bags, rope, car bumpers,
furniture and, of course, other plastic bottles.
Aluminum/Tin
• PET #1 bottles should not be re-purposed as • Aluminum and tin cans are a 100% recyclable.
reusable water bottles.
• Did you know we recycle only 49% of the cans
we use? (3)
#2: HDPE (High-density polyethylene plas-
tics)
Glass
• Used in heavier containers that hold laundry • Glass can be recycled over and over again.
detergents, bleaches, milk, shampoo, and mo-
tor oil.
Batteries
• Often recycled into toys, piping, truck bed lin- • Prevention: Avoid using items that require bat-
ers, and rope.
teries. Use rechargeable batteries when possi-
ble and recycle those when finished. Here are
#3: PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
a list of places that take rechargeable batteries:
• Commonly used in plastic pipes, shower cur- http://ehso.com/battery.php. Stories like Best
tains, medical tubing, vinyl dashboards.
Buy, The Home Depot, RadioShack, Sears, Sta-
• Once recycled, it can be ground up and reused ples, Target, and Wal-Mart also take recharge-
to make vinyl flooring, window frames,
able batteries.
or piping.
Electronics
#4: LDPE (Low density poly-
• Your local
ethylene)
Best
Buy,
• Used to make thin, flexible
Staples,
plastics like wrapping films,
or phone
grocery bags, sandwich bags,
companies
and a variety of soft packaging
may offer
materials.
drop-offs
for large
#5: PP (Polypropylene)
electri-
• Some food containers and
cal appli-
many plastic caps are made with
ances and
20
SPRING 2017
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Used Oil
• Cooking Oil:
• Some cities are taking donations of
cooking oil for biofuel.
• Filter and reuse in cooking.
• Use the oil to make soap or oil lamps!
• Motor Oil:
• Many garages and auto stores also ac-
cept oil for recycling. Or look for a motor oil re-
cycler near you: Earth911.
How else can I help?
• Borrow items when feasible.
• Maintain your items. Repair if neces-
sary and feasible. Reuse.
• Buy items that are used, reusable,
recycled, or use less packaging (2).
• Build crafts out of safe recycla-
ble or non-recyclable items.
(Check out some ideas
in this article!)
• Have some-
thing you don’t
want? Donate!
• Buy and use
non-hazardous
items.
Hazardous Waste Source Reduction
around the Home (2)
Instead of a… Try this…
Drain Cleaner
Use a plunger or plumber’s
snake.
Glass Cleaner
Mix one tablespoon of vin-
egar or lemon juice in one
quart of water.
Spray on and use newspa-
per to dry.
Furniture Polish Mix one teaspoon of lemon
juice in one pint of mineral
or vegetable oil and wipe
furniture.
Rug Deodorizer Liberally sprinkle carpets
with baking soda.
Wait at least 15 minutes and
vacuum. Repeat if neces-
sary.
Get CRAFTY
• PLANT AND GROW: Cut 2-liter soda bottles
in half and use the bottom half to grow a fa-
vorite plant or herb! The clear bottle will help
you watch the plant grow. Try onions, basil, and
cilantro!
• Stationary Holder: Paint empty glass/plastic
jars or cans with fun colors and designs and
use them to hold your pens, pencils, and
other stationary items!
• Fabric Dolls: Use scrap pieces of fabric or
reuse your old/torn clothes to build fabric
dolls for yourselves or friends!
• Personal Collage: Use old magazines or
newspapers to create a collage with pictures
and words that define you and frame it in
your room!
• Storage Box: Decorate