How to Live Consciously: Recycle

Every year YOU throw away about 65 pounds of plastic in the trash. That is a staggering amount considering all the people you ever knew are also throwing away that much plastic annually. Plastic that is thrown in the garbage usually ends up in landfills where it will sit for eternity polluting the soil, or ends up floating in the ocean where it will contaminate our waters and thus part of our food supply.
Almost every urban city has a recycling program. Most will even pick it up with your trash or have convenient drop off locations. There is almost nothing we consume that we can't recycle. Either it can be reused by another or can be turned in to new product. You can donate many things that still work but you just don't need anymore to second hand stores, this is a form of recycling.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Local recycling locations and details.
• To make a decision that you want to change.

1. Use reusable shopping bags. Most grocery stores carry them for about $1 per bag. When you get home stick them all together and either put them in your car or somewhere you will remember to use them next time you go shopping. Eventually, it will be routine and you wont go anywhere with out them. Don't forget to use them at any retail store that uses plastic bags. If you do forget and need a bag, just recycle it when you get home.

2. Don't buy water bottles. Buy yourself a nice filtered water pitcher or an in-sink filter and fill up your own reusable water bottles. If you do use a plastic water or soda bottle at least recycle it when you are done.

3. Find the easiest way for you to recycle. If it's easy it will get done. My city has recycling pickup every other week. I keep a large can in the kitchen that is only for recycling. When it's full I take it out just like the trash. There is so much to recycle that it fills up more quickly than my trash which is now mostly left overs. If you have to drop off your recycling you can do a similar thing. Just fill up a can in the kitchen, take it out when its full and take the large can to recycling weekly. Make it a routine. It's not a requirement in most places, but it is necessary to keep our cities and neighborhoods clean, our waters clear and our energy consumption lower.

4. Google words like, landfills, Plastic waste, floating garbage. Take a look at the horrible loads of garbage we waste. Most of what we throw out can be recycled. Become aware of what is happening in our world and make a decision to do your part!

Tips & Warnings

• Go to http://www.recyclingcenters.org/ to find Recycling centers in your area, or call your local city government and ask about recycling pickup in your town.

[valeriesjewels]

on 11/20/2008 Here here! Thank you for the most excellent comment!

[Wasatch]

on 11/20/2008 Good tips. With metal prices up aluminum cans, scrap steel, brass and other metals can pay good money and help land fill space as well. It also helps to recycle metal as it cuts down on the need for more mines.