How to Recycle More at Home

11 August 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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Recycling is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce how many materials end up in local landfills. There are many ways to recycle even more, regardless of how much recycling you currently do. Here are a few ways to do more recycling around your home.

Reuse and Reduce More Items Around the House

To start recycling more, you can start with reusing and reducing your waste. This is going to help actually limit how many items are left to be recycled. To begin with, think of ways you can use more waste around the home. In your kitchen, avoid using paper and plastic as much as possible, opting for glass plates, cups, and cutlery. Another way to reduce waste is by using dish towels for cleaning surfaces instead of paper towels. For reusing items, whenever you have furniture, appliances, or other tangible items that you are thinking about tossing or recycling, think of other ways you can reuse these items.

Set Out Labeled Recycling Containers

One of the reasons not much recycling happens in the home is because family members don't know what can be recycled, or they forget about recycling certain items. You can remedy this by setting up a recycling station at home that offers different containers labeled for what goes in them. Use smaller containers so that you can line them up next to each other. For example, you can use labels like aluminum, glass, paper, and plastic. You can also be more specific, including labels for 'aluminum cans' and 'paper napkins'.

Recycle Renovation and Remodeling Materials

When you are remodeling in your home, don't throw away all the building materials you remove. Many of these can actually be recycled so they don't end up in landfills. Some of the renovation and remodeling materials that can be recycled include concrete, all flooring tiles and wood flooring, windows, doors, drywall, and plumbing pipes. Home appliances that are no longer being used can also be recycled.

Never Throw Away Electronics in the Trash

A common type of item that gets thrown away in the trash can instead of recycled is an electronic device. All electronics should not only be recycled, but be recycled at an approved electronics recycling center. This includes small items like cell phones and tablets, to bigger items like printers, photocopiers, fax machines, computers, and photo scanners. There are some recycling centers that pick up your electronics while other require you to drop the items off.