Some of us tend to not think about what happens to our weekly garbage after we toss our trash in the dumpster or take our bins to the curb for a garbage truck to pick up. Others are a little more aware of the non-degradable waste that is pilling up in landfills or making its way into our oceans and are trying to make better consumption habits but aren’t sure where to start. The majority of us heard Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at some point in lives but aren’t sure how to apply to it their household. Below are a few simple and easy recycling tips that any home can do to improve their environmental impact.
Reuse
One of the simplest recycling tips to reduce waste is to stop buying single-use products. Instead of using paper towels to dry your hands or clean up messes, buy a few washcloths or make your own out of an old towel and you’ll never have to buy paper towels again. You can also purchase reusable cotton bags for grocery shopping so that you don’t have to get paper or plastic bags when you carry your purchases out the door. Another simple but significant way you can reduce your single-use items is by switching to reusable water bottles, thermoses and cold drink cups for your water or daily coffee.
Make the Switch
Did you know that newspapers belong in a separate bin from other paper? That’s because newspaper will go directly to a newsprint recycling center. It is important to know what type of papers should be separated from each other that they can actually be recycled. However, if you want to take it a step further, try going paperless as much as you can. If you still get bills, newspapers, or magazines in the mail, try to see if you can switch to a digital version. This will reduce the amount of mail that clutters your mailbox and reduce your waste.
Know What You are Throwing Away
One of the most important recycling tips you should know is to know how to dispose of your hazardous waste. If possible, you should try to fix your electronics instead of throwing them away once they break. If you absolutely must upgrade your phone, ask your phone company if they have a recycling policy in place for your old device. Also try using rechargeable batters, rather than the batteries that only last one charge. If your device is beyond repair, call around your neighborhood to see if there are any trade schools or robotics classes that would take your device and use it as parts or for training.
There are thousands of recycling tips out there. When you decide to lower your household waste you can see the monetary benefits as time goes on and you can see the difference in the way you buy and use the things already in your home. If everyone commits to taking a few small recycling tips and applying them to their every day lives, we will see a significant change in the world.