American's throw away a staggering amount of trash. In fact the average American throws away 1500 pounds of trash yearly. The good news is that nearly everything you use in daily life can be given a second life through recycling. Some things need to be broken down into the plastic, glass or metal they are made of. Others are given a second life, and sometimes a third and fourth life by donating them to others, or to charity. This guide is the first part of a series that will educate you on how to cut down on waste in landfills by recycling countless household items.
Aerosol Spray Cans: If your aerosol can is completely empty you can drop it off at a nearby recycling facility or put it in your curbside recycling bin. More than 5,300 communities in the USA offer curbside recycling. Some communities even offer buy-back programs for aerosol cans and will pay you a few cents for every can you return. If you want to recycle your spray can, just pull the spray cap off and make sure the can is empty.
Antiperspirant or deodorant applicators: If your deodorant has a dial on the bottom, the dial is probably made from a different type of plastic than the rest of the applicator. Take it off and place the rest of the applicator in the plastic recycling bin. Tom's of Maine sells a deodorant stick that is made completely of recyclable plastic #5, and Kiss My Face makes a roll on dispenser that is 100% biodegradable.
Backpacks: Give your old backpack a second life by donating it to the American Birding Association. They'll give it to a scientist who will use it while they track neotropical birds. Also, look for events hosted by the Great American Backpack Exchange where you can bring a gently used backpack or book bag for use by students and needy children.
Batteries: It is essential that you recycle batteries. Single use household batteries are manufactured using materials that are hazardous to the environment. But they are also recyclable. Look in the yellow pages or online for a household hazardous waste facility close to home. Many stores also recycle batteries - office supply stores, hardware stores and auto supply stores to name a few. Many of these stores are also collection centers for rechargeable batteries. Car batteries contain toxic chemicals and metals like lead, so you can't put them in landfills. Thankfully almost any store who sells car batteries will collect them for recycling.
Beach Balls: Yes they're plastic. No, at this time there aren't any officially designated Beach Ball Recycling facilities that we know of. The best way to recycle that old beach ball - put a patch on it and give it away, or donate it to a thrift store.
Books: You can usually put paperback books in your curbside recycling bin. You can also recycle hardcover books, but you have to remove the cover. But by far the best way to recycle any book is to give them to someone else to read. Here are a few ideas for extending the life of a book: Give them to a charity thrift store. Donate used books to a library or school. Trade your books with other readers, or sell them on eBay or Craigslist. You can even donate them to a hospital, hospice or assisted living center.
Carpeting (nylon): The Carpet America Recovery Effort is an organization dedicated to recycling carpet and keeping it out of landfills. Go to carpetrecovery.org to find a carpet reclamation partner in your area. While you're there check out the nifty counter that ticks off how many pounds of carpet are diverted from landfills while you read the page. Many carpet manufacturers also offer carpet recycling programs - Shaw, Milliken and Flor to name a few.
Aerosol Spray Cans: If your aerosol can is completely empty you can drop it off at a nearby recycling facility or put it in your curbside recycling bin. More than 5,300 communities in the USA offer curbside recycling. Some communities even offer buy-back programs for aerosol cans and will pay you a few cents for every can you return. If you want to recycle your spray can, just pull the spray cap off and make sure the can is empty.
Antiperspirant or deodorant applicators: If your deodorant has a dial on the bottom, the dial is probably made from a different type of plastic than the rest of the applicator. Take it off and place the rest of the applicator in the plastic recycling bin. Tom's of Maine sells a deodorant stick that is made completely of recyclable plastic #5, and Kiss My Face makes a roll on dispenser that is 100% biodegradable.
Backpacks: Give your old backpack a second life by donating it to the American Birding Association. They'll give it to a scientist who will use it while they track neotropical birds. Also, look for events hosted by the Great American Backpack Exchange where you can bring a gently used backpack or book bag for use by students and needy children.
Batteries: It is essential that you recycle batteries. Single use household batteries are manufactured using materials that are hazardous to the environment. But they are also recyclable. Look in the yellow pages or online for a household hazardous waste facility close to home. Many stores also recycle batteries - office supply stores, hardware stores and auto supply stores to name a few. Many of these stores are also collection centers for rechargeable batteries. Car batteries contain toxic chemicals and metals like lead, so you can't put them in landfills. Thankfully almost any store who sells car batteries will collect them for recycling.
Beach Balls: Yes they're plastic. No, at this time there aren't any officially designated Beach Ball Recycling facilities that we know of. The best way to recycle that old beach ball - put a patch on it and give it away, or donate it to a thrift store.
Books: You can usually put paperback books in your curbside recycling bin. You can also recycle hardcover books, but you have to remove the cover. But by far the best way to recycle any book is to give them to someone else to read. Here are a few ideas for extending the life of a book: Give them to a charity thrift store. Donate used books to a library or school. Trade your books with other readers, or sell them on eBay or Craigslist. You can even donate them to a hospital, hospice or assisted living center.
Carpeting (nylon): The Carpet America Recovery Effort is an organization dedicated to recycling carpet and keeping it out of landfills. Go to carpetrecovery.org to find a carpet reclamation partner in your area. While you're there check out the nifty counter that ticks off how many pounds of carpet are diverted from landfills while you read the page. Many carpet manufacturers also offer carpet recycling programs - Shaw, Milliken and Flor to name a few.
About the Author:
Recycle your old car. Go online and donate a car to Volunteers of America at CarsHelpingPeople.org (or call 877-721-4862 toll free). Not only will your car get new life, the funds it raises will bring new hope to the millions of homeless, veterans and children at risk VOA helps every year. Local programs that make a real impact make VOA the best place to donate car
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