Help the Planet: Recycling Tips

Plastic bottles, glass shards, metal devices, the list of waste we generate each day are enormous. Disposing and degrading this waste takes a huge toll on the environment. This is where the concept of recycling comes into play. Recycling involves re-using things which would otherwise be dumped in the rubbish. Even materials like glass, metals and the like can be processed and re-used.

Here are a few tips to help you in your efforts to recycle waste:

• Reduce, re-use and recycle. Reduce the amount of waste you generate. Simple adjustment like swapping your polystyrene cup with a glass or ceramic mug will contribute to waste reduction. Next, find creative uses for different kinds of waste. Items like plastic bags and glass bottles can be used over and over. Of course, you cannot reuse things like broken glass or metal shards. Such items should be tossed in the recycle bin and will be processed and recycled on a large scale.

• Use plastic bags as bin liners or use them to surround fragile items when you move, you can use plastic bags to carry stuff around. If a local supermarket accepts used plastic bags for recycling, hand over those that you have. Some people use zip lock pouches to carry their meals and dispose them after use. Re-use such zip lock pouches after washing. It will help reduce rubbish and it will give added value for your money.

• It takes a lot of wood to make paper so recycle paper. Make your own envelopes using old calendars. You can use pages from calendars to wrap gifts. Use old newspaper as stuffing while moving things. Hand over old magazines to doctors offices or even to beauty salons.

• Recycle water. Use the water from kitchen drains and left over bathwater to water your plants. You can also take steps for rainwater harvesting. It does not need to be anything complex. Just place a bucket out when it rains and use the water to flush the toilet or some other purpose.

• Composting is a great way to recycle so compost your kitchen and garden waste. The compost makes great soil. If you do not have a garden of your own you can give the soil to someone who has a garden or to a community garden.

• Use egg cartons, plastic ice cream dishes and plastic bottles to plant seedlings.

• Avoid using plastic bags as much as possible. When you go shopping, carry along a reusable shopping bag.

• Jars of readymade pickles and jams can be cleaned and used again.

• Recycle your electronic gadgets too. There are several non profit organizations that are willing to take your old toaster or computer. They reassemble and re model these gadgets so that others can use them again

• Don’t hoard. Hoarding clothes, books and food stuff only results in more waste. Arrange a garage sale and get rid of things you don’t like or don’t need.

• When disposing things into recycle bins, make sure that they are clean and confine to the guidelines.

• The best way to promote recycling is to buy recycled stuff.