The Perfect State of Green. It starts with Recycling.
REDUCE. REUSE. REPAIR. RECYCLE. We hope these words become your new ‘green’ mantra. We have the power to create a greener world. Change your habits and you can help change the world. Together we can make a positive environmental impact.
Top Tips to Cut Waste
Buy Products in the Largest Size You Can Use; Avoid Excess Packaging
A family of four can save $2,000 a year in the supermarket by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. Remember, ten cents of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging. Small sizes use more packaging for each ounce of product than larger sizes. So, if you buy large sizes, you save money, reduce waste, and help the environment. That is a really good buy. Here are a few good examples, look for others the next time you shop.
Buy cereal in a large box instead of in individual serving sizes.
Buy juice in concentrates and use reusable containers instead of single serving packages.
Save money by buying bottled water in a large plastic jug instead of six packs of 16 ounce bottles. Reuse plastic water bottles.
Buy large packages of sugar and flour.
Avoid the small boxes of raisins and buy the same amount in the 24 ounce box.
Buy Products in Containers That You Know You Will Be Able to Recycle
It is important to familiarize yourself with what types of containers and items can be recycled in your local recycling program. Once you know what you can recycle, look for products that come in the containers that you know you will be able to recycle when the products are all used up. Examples are products in commonly recycled containers made from aluminum, steel, #1 and #2 plastic, and glass. Check the Earth 911 Reuse and Recycling Services listings to see what types of containers/packaging you should look for in your community.
Buy Reusable and Long Lasting Items
Products that can be reused are cheaper in the long run than those you throw away and buy over and over again. Goods that are designed to last a long time are also cheaper in the long run than those that wear out quickly. A family can save $1,000 each year buy buying reusable and long lasting products.
Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights, radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one CD player used two hours a day.
Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. You’ll save $600 per child by using a laundry diaper service instead of disposable diapers.
Use a real camera instead of disposable ones. If you take 24 pictures each month you will save $144 each year.
Many families spend over $260 each year on paper towels and napkins. Switch to cloth napkins, sponges, and cloth towels or wipes.
Use washable plates, cups, and silverware for parties and picnics instead of disposable products.
Use an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.
Buy high quality/long life tires. They cost less per mile traveled and reduce the problem of disposing of used tires.
Use a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee and eliminate a Styrofoam or plastic cup every day.
Bring bags to the market, either cloth ones or your old paper and plastic ones. Many markets will credit your bill for using your own bags. When buying only a few items, don’t take a bag.
Clean and service your appliances, computers, tools, and cars so that they will enjoy even longer lives. And, before you replace them, check to see if they are repairable. Consider sharing equipment that is used infrequently such as hedge clippers, pruners, fruit pickers, or chain saws.
Get Started – Reduce your Rubbish
Making use of those mountains of plastic bags:
Use them as bin liners.
Place them in the bottom of plant pots and hanging baskets - they act as great drainage systems.
Children can use them for carrying PE gear to school.
Scrunch them up to surround items when you're packaging as an alternative to bubble wrap.
Use them in the garden to hold your grass cuttings and hedge trimmings before transfer to a compost bin.
Use them when packing for a holiday to keep dirty/wet clothes and shoes away from dry clothing.
Use them as 'doggy doo bags' when out walking your dog!
Some supermarkets recycle plastic bags, so you can return plastic bags to them.
Re-use washed zip lock bags for sandwiches and snacks rather than using plastic wrap.
Ideas for recycling paper:
After children's drawings and paintings have been displayed for a while they can be used to wrap presents - this also makes the present special.
Discarded A4-sized paper can be cut and stapled together to make notepads. Alternatively, if you save five reams, it will cost you about $5 to get a print company to convert this paper into 'proper' notepads.
'Use the envelopes you receive in the mail a second time by placing a new address label over the last address. I call this the OMT System ("One more time system"). Old envelopes can also be used for scribbling down shopping lists, to-do lists, and notes.'
Resealable envelopes can be reused many times: 'My daughter takes one to school when she orders her lunch. The envelope has all details written in felt on the front and the money sealed inside. She brings the envelope home and we use it again until it gets too shabby.'
Old calendars, colorful pictures, etc. can be used to make your own envelopes. You can unstick a used envelope and use it as a template for making envelopes.
Old rolls of wallpaper can be used for childrens' drawings.
Junk mail can be used as scrap paper, or as bedding for pets.
Cardboard cartons can be used to collect paper for recycling; instead of plastic bags (even breakfast cereal cartons are good).
SPCA and pet shops appreciate old newspapers.
Toilet roll centers can be recycled - they're made of cardboard.
To fill in a rainy day get a paper recycling kit and get the kids to rip up old used paper to make recycled paper, it can be great fun.
Old magazines are appreciated by: Doctor and dentists' surgeries; Motels; Friends
Ideas for recycling household waste in the garden:
Aluminum trays from pies and cakes make ideal 'drip saucers' to put under pot plants.
Old tires can be used outside for plant pots - especially good for plants that like warm soils as they trap the heat.
The following waste items can be modified and used for planting seedlings:
Egg cartons
Tetra-pak cartons
Plastic bottles
Plastic containers for cherry tomatoes
Old boots and shoes
Plastic containers for takeaways
The cardboard centers from toilet rolls
Plastic ice-cream containers.
Lawn clippings can be used to cover weeds and keep from growing in the garden through winter.
Broken crockery can be used as drainage at the bottom of pot plants.
Tin cans can be used as:
Water reservoirs for new plants and trees. Tape a piece of hose pipe in a can and fill the can with scoria or pumice. Then, when you plant a new tree or plant, bury the can below the root level and leave enough hose poking out of the ground. You can water the plant in summer by pouring the water into hose pipe. If the hose is short enough it can be mowed over on a lawn and does not look obtrusive.
Pot plant holders. Decorate the outside of the can to your liking, put some soil in it and plant away. (Make sure you put some drainage holes in the bottom of the tin before you start potting the plants.)
Old newspapers (including those gathered from your friends) can be used to mulch and weed control the garden. Wet newspaper and place thickly on the garden. Cover with bark or stones.
Plastic milk bottles can be used to hold snail bait and are pet proof.
Old stockings can be used to tie up plants in the garden.
Plastic ice-cream containers can be cut into strips for seed labels.
Ideas for recycling organic/garden waste:
Local pig farmers often appreciate any kitchen scraps that you can offer them. If you know of any in your area, get in touch with them and find out if they are interested in your kitchen scraps.
If you've done any trimming of trees and hedges, contact the local Zoo to see if they can use these for their animals, either as food or environment improvement.
Avoid using kitchen waste disposers and compost food scraps instead. This reduces the load on sewage treatment plants and local government can concentrate on the treatment of real sewage.
If you need leaf mulch for your garden approach a local school and ask what they do with the leaf litter. Some schools throw theirs away.
Get a couple of hens for the household. They eat all the kitchen scraps and provide fresh eggs as a bonus.
Thoughts on recycling other items:
Old or broken household goods such as toasters, transistor radios can be used by others for parts. Sell them cheaply at a garage sale.
Carry a supermarket bag with you when you go walking so that you can pick up glass, litter or other plastic bags.
Schools and kindergartens often need boxes, plastic bags, old buttons, used wrapping paper, greeting cards, ribbons, tiles, crockery and other materials for art resources. They may also want old phones, keyboards, etc as learning toys. The DonateNZ website www.donatenz.com provides a way to put donors and recipients in touch with each other.
Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes can be used to wrap someone else's presents.
Recycle jars by using them for home preserves. .
Ice cream containers can be reused around the home in a number of ways:
Storing food in the freezer
As a container for toys, crayons, clothes pegs
Biscuit container
Meat trays, yoghurt containers, egg cartons, and film canisters can be kept and used by the kids to 'create stuff'. This is a great way to keep the kids amused and even make gifts for family and friends.
An upside down bottle with small holes in the top can be used to provide water for your pets while you are on holiday.
Materials left over from home sewing can be used by schools for collages. Larger pieces can also be used for patchwork and crafts by people in rest homes. In Wellington (and possibly other centers as well), there is a group in the women's prison who choose to do patchwork as part of their rehabilitation.
After you have finished a ’family-size’ yoghurt pot (and since they aren’t recyclable), rinse it out and use it as a lunch box or cookie jar.
Use ice cream and other plastic containers to put kids’ toys in. Also good for nuts and bolts and taking away camping or clothes peg containers.
The black meat trays from the Supermarket make great paint trays for both adults and kids.
Stronger plastic bottles can be used to hold tools and nails etc in the shed. Simply cut three sides and leave one side longer and nail to the wall in the shed.
Old furniture, clothes, kitchen gear, and bedding are always wanted by organizations like Drug Arm, and the Salvation Army.
General tips for recycling and avoiding rubbish:
Buy a smaller rubbish container for the kitchen. This makes you to remember to recycle.
Make sure bottles and tins are clean before putting in the recycling bin. This prevents flies both at home and the recycling station.
Reorganize the kitchen so it has an efficient recycling area with good sized bins to help with sorting and holding. This will encourage other members of the household to contribute and help share the work instead of it being reliant on one person.
Cutting both the tops and the bottoms off tin cans (and placing them inside) and squashing them makes them smaller to fit into the recycling bin.
Put a 'no junk mail' sticker on your letter box. You'll be amazed at how much this reduces your rubbish.
Spread the word. By telling other people and helping them to get started, we increase the savings that can be made. Also get your children involved – if we can educate them early, they will grow up and appreciate waste reduction and will be able to apply these skills in later life.
Something to Think About
Decomposition Rates
Paper
2-4 Weeks
Leaves
1-3 Months
Orange Peels
6 Months
Milk Carton
5 years
Plastic Bag
10-20 Years
Plastic Container
50-80 Years
Aluminum Can
80 Years
Tin Can
100 Years
Plastic Soda Bottle
450 Years
Glass Bottle
500 Years
Styrofoam
Never
Green-Blue-Black – The Inside Track
Keep in mind that most waste can be recycled or composted. If you know your basic Green-Blue-Black chart, then hurray for you! If not, here’s the deal:
Green Compost Bin (food scrapes, plant trimmings, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, pizza boxes, paper napkins and towels, paper milk cartons, waxed cardboard, leaves, grass, weeds, wooden crates & sawdust)
Black Trash Bin (used aluminum foil, ceramic dishes & cups, coffee cup lids, juice boxes, light bulbs – no CFL’s, mirrors, plastic bags, straws & wrap, potato/corn chip bags, Styrofoam packaging, window glass
Special Disposal Needs (dirt, rock & concrete, e-waste, household hazardous waste, needles & syringes)
E-Waste – Recycling Electronics
Used electronic devices, known as e-waste, are increasingly becoming a larger part of our waste. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to those who want to recycle their old electronic items. To address the increasing amount of e-waste, many state and local governments, electronics manufacturers, and non-profit organizations have created comprehensive recycling programs. Several states, including California have enacted laws requiring the collection of certain electronics.
Recycle your old television or computer monitor with Sims Metal and make room for that new flat screen TV on your holiday gift list. Sims is a State approved recycler who will even pays you a few dollars for your old TV or monitor. All e-waste collected by Sims in the Bay Area is recycled by Sims in Northern California. Find your nearest Sims site at www.RecycleWithSims.com or call 1 877-334-SIMS. Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle With Sims ™
E-waste recycling options vary, so, the first step to determine what options are available in your area is to review information about your local recycling program. This information is available on Earth 911 (using the recycling locator database) www.earth911.com You can also find more local e-waste resources and information in the yellow pages (phone book) or go to ecoFindeRRR at www.SFEnvironment.org
