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Recycle — And Save Mother Earth

April 8, 2011 by

‘Reduce, reuse, and recycle’ is the phrase that was originally coined to encourage folks to become environmentally aware of the impact they have on the earth. While recycling has been the biggest push out of those three actions, it is still critical to pay attention to the other two.

The ‘reduce’ part of going green refers to reducing the amount of things that you consume. Reduce your use of items where possible. Reduce the amount of canned soda pop that you drink so that there are less aluminum cans going to the recycling center. Reduce the number of take-out meals you buy so that you have less Styrofoam containers to throw away. Instead of using paper towels, use cloth towels.

Reusing items that you have not only saves on the environment it also saves on the pocketbook. Refill your ink cartridge instead of buying new ones. Remake adult sized clothing into clothing for children. Buy rechargeable batteries so you have fewer batteries thrown away.

Recycle your technology. Each year, tons of technology ends up in a land fill. Cell phones, computers monitors, television sets, old VHS or DVD players could be sold through classified ads or yard sales. They could be donated to a local charity organization or schools. Many stores that sell electronics are willing to buy back your old electronics and dispose of them for you.

Make sure you have recycling bins in your home. Label them for plastics, aluminum, and paper. Make sure each family member uses the bins when throwing items away. Contact your city offices to see about recycling collection so that they can stop at your home to empty your bins.

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Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: , ,

Products Made from Recycled Materials

March 19, 2011 by

You may be aware of the benefits of purchasing recycled products and the benefits of recycling products yourself, but do you know what types of products are made from recycled materials?

Paper is recycled to produce more paper products. This reduces the negative effects on the environment by reducing the number of trees that are needed for producing new paper products. Manufacturers who make products out of recycled paper are also benefitting by using less energy resources to produce their products. Recycled paper products include not only copy paper or writing tablets, but you can find other products manufactured from recycled paper such as CD sleeves, tissues, paper towels, and cardboard binders.

Recycled plastic seems to be one of the most versatile recyclable materials. Recycled plastic is being used in everything from fleece clothing to park benches. There are several companies that are using recycled plastic containers in the production and/or packaging of their products. Terracycle is one such company. They package cleaners and fertilizers in used milk jugs and soda bottles. They have moved on to the creation of handbags and accessories from drink pouches and snack food wrappers as well as producing cork boards from wine corks.

One of the oldest forms of recycle that is still going strong today is the melting down and reusing of glass. Recycled glass items include a variety of products such as tiles, beads, and decorative items for the home. Recycled glass has been used in mosaic and stained glass art for a very long time.

Filed Under: Business Benefits, Energy Saving Appliances Tagged With: , ,

Recycling Construction Materials

March 9, 2011 by

When people talk about recycling in construction, a lot of times the thought comes of the products and materials used in construction that incorporates the use of recycled materials. However, there is another aspect of construction recycling that is just as useful, if not more. Rather than creating new products, try using already existing products.
In new construction or remodeling projects you can save money and know that you are doing your part to protect the environment by recycling used housing materials rather than allowing them to be dumped into our already over-filled landfills. You can also contribute your own unused materials to others or to your local store that deals in reusable construction materials.
One such store is the ReStore, which is owned and operated by the Habitat for Humanity program. These stores provide reusable and surplus building materials and accessories. They accept donations from individuals and companies then sell these items at a small fraction of the cost that it would have been to purchase the same items at retail. The proceeds from their stores help local Habitat for Humanity programs fund construction on Habitat homes in their own communities.
Another way to find materials and products to use when building or remodeling your home is to check local or online classified listings such as freecycle or Craig’s list for items you are in need of. By keeping purchasing used or surplus products and materials during your construction project, you will be doing your part to keep these things out of the waste system and save you some money at the same time.

Filed Under: Business Benefits, Green Construction Tagged With: , ,

Get Creative With Your Recycling

February 27, 2011 by

Recycle, recycle, recycle… we hear it all the time. Besides the basics of recycling which includes separating your trash, recycling your plastics and glass products, recycling papers and newspapers, etc. there is another type of recycling that many people are catching onto now. How about getting caught up in the “art” of recycling!

By learning new and creative ways to use things, recycle things, and create new things out of old things; you will not only be helping to preserve our environment and reduce waste, but you will also be saving yourself money in the meantime. Here are some creative ways for you to save money while saving the environment!

Instead of throwing out your bacon drippings, put them in a jar, add food scraps, pop the whole thing in the refrigerator, and when it is set pop it out of the jar and add a string. You now have a bird cake to hang outside!

Don’t just throw out old sheets or torn clothing. Get creative. Make a quilt, use them as dust cloths, or save money on wrapping paper and create unique gift wrap with old pieces of clothing, sheets, or other unusable fabrics.

Stop throwing out all of your empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls. Save these and reuse them. These cardboard rolls work great for children’s craft projects or as a cable tie for all those lose cords that are always getting in the way.

One of the biggest wastes is food waste. Rather than scrape those scraps and leftovers into the trash, why not compost them? Simply put together all of your food scraps and add them to your compost pile or pour directly on your garden spot to compost during the months when your garden is not in use.

Filed Under: Business Benefits, Environment Tagged With: , ,

Simple Eco Friendly Tasks

February 19, 2011 by

As a society, we don’t do a lot to keep the earth healthy. We tend to pollute the air without realizing it, and use up much more energy than is necessary. We may not feel that any efforts that we do can help save the earth, but you can actually do a lot to help just in your own home.

One of the biggest things that people fail to do is to recycle. Recycling is very important, and the more people that do it, the less money and resources we have to use. If you own a fireplace or use a wood stove, it’s quite simple to recycle paper. If you have old newspapers or boxes that you want to throw away, you can burn them and turn them into heat.

Recycling comes in many forms. There is probably a place in your area that will pay your for scraps of metal, plastic, glass, and other recyclables and they will use these to make new products. Items such as soda cans or bottles, beer bottles, or other recyclable items can turn into a few hundred dollars once you’ve filled a few trash bags full of them.

Many stores sell alternatives to many household items that will save you energy and money. For example, instead of incandescent light bulbs, you may want to buy fluorescent bulbs. The store price is more expensive, but they will last longer and save you money on your electric bill. You can buy appliances that will save energy as well.

Even if you don’t have special light bulbs or appliances to help save energy, simple things you do can help you save energy and money. When you’re not using something, turn it off. Don’t leave your computer on all night. Turn lights off when they aren’t necessary. These simple things will help you save energy and money in the long run.

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Environmental Impact of Recycling

February 5, 2011 by

Over the past couple of decades we have all been hearing more and more about the importance of recycling. Our children are now taught at very young ages in the public school system about recycling and its importance. Do you know why recycling is important? Do you understand how it helps our environment?

Recycling used products is one of the best ways to help save our environment. It helps to save energy and reduce consumption of natural resources. In fact, recycling can also help to reduce harm to the environment.

How does recycling preserve our environment? One way is by recycling paper, which is made from trees, can reduce our dependence on trees for continued production of paper products. For example, recycling one ton of paper or newspapers is the equivalent of saving 12 trees.

Recycling can save energy by reducing the amount of raw material that is required to be processed. Processing raw materials uses a considerable amount of energy. Some of the most commonly recycled items are aluminum and glass. Recycling these materials can help greatly reduce the amount of pressure put on our energy resources.

Recycling can also reduce pollution. For example, when we do not recycle plastics they sit in the soil as waste and create an increase in water and soil pollution. An effective solution to this problem is simply to recycle as much plastic as possible. During the recycling process of plastics as much material as possible is recovered and used in the manufacturing industry for things such as car bumpers or playground equipment.

In addition to the reduction of soil and water pollution, recycling can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, there have been studies done which show that the effect of recycling on greenhouse gas emissions proved that recycling approximately 35 tons of materials is the equivalent of taking over 22,000 cars off the roads.

Filed Under: Business Benefits, Green Businesses Tagged With: , , ,

Recycling Benefits for Businesses

January 29, 2011 by

You may have noticed that many businesses have now joined the movement to recycle. It may seem that this takes additional time and effort in a large office. However, businesses can benefit greatly from their recycling efforts.

Recycling can save your business money. By renting a smaller dumpster and a recycling bin you could save a significant amount of money over time. Your company may be able to contract with another company who can use your waste products. Your company would save on disposal fees and may even earn some money along the way. You may find, in fact, that other businesses have recycled products that they can trade with you saving even more money.

Recycling can also earn your business money. If you are a large business most likely you have many employees who drink sodas throughout the day. The income you could generate through recycled aluminum cans could become significant over time. When a company uses waste reduction methods and recycle there can be several benefits besides just monetary. Customer and employee relationships improve while reducing energy and conserving natural resources.

Restaurants are now starting to recycle their used fats and oils to be reused for fuel. Many are also taking the initiative to send their left over and unused food to homeless shelters rather than throwing it away. Another way restaurants can reduce waste is by using large dispensers for products rather than small individually wrapped packages and containers.

Although recycling in a business can pose some problems, but many businesses are finally realizing the environmental and economic impact that recycling has. Many are also realizing that they are able to save or even make money when they implement a recycling program in their business. Although, the businesses that seem to benefit the most are those that generate the most trash such as hospitals, grocery stores, large retailers, distribution warehouses, and large office buildings.

Whether your business is small or large, recycling is important. Consider the positive effects your recycling efforts will have on everyone!

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Recycled Construction Materials

January 19, 2011 by

You know of the benefits of recycling on the environment and do your part to recycle at home. Were you aware that the products you use when building or remodeling your home can be from recycled sources? Who knows, maybe some of that plastic you recycled has come full circle and is being used in your home project!

Plastic is recycled into many different household items. Type 1 plastic which is used in soda, juice, and liquor bottles as well as peanut butter jars and some oil jars can be recycled into carpet fibers and some types of fabrics. Type 2 plastics which is heavier and used for containers used for milk, juice, detergents, bleach and motor oil is recycled into trash containers, lumber substitutes, and other useful items. Type 3 plastic or PVC which is used in windows, doors, shower curtains, and other similar items can be recycled into garden hoses, sewer pipes and fences. Plastic types 4 through 6 which are plastic wrap, food containers, and Styrofoam can also be recycled into items such as plastic wood, carpeting, or furniture.

Paper that has not been contaminated can be recycled into construction products such as cellulose for insulation, cellulose fiberboard, or gypsum board sheeting materials. Glass is another recyclable material that is used in the construction industry. Recycled glass is used in fiberglass insulation, window glazing, and wall and floor tiles.

Aluminum and steel can also be recycled, although they must be recycled separately. Aluminum can be made into window components and flashing material. Steel is recycled into structural framing, framing connectors, and nails.

Other than the materials constructed from recycled items, there is another type of construction recycling that can be done. When building or remodeling a home you may want to consider saving yourself some money as well as contributing to recycling efforts by purchasing used items such as doors, lighting fixtures, cabinets, and more from a construction “recycling” store such as Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store.

Filed Under: Alternate Fuel, Environment Tagged With: , , , ,

Recycled Home Decor

January 9, 2011 by

Decorating your home does not have to be expensive. In fact, you can recycle old items you or people you know have while saving money and making your house look great! How can you accomplish this? Using items you already have and turning them into something new, interesting, and beautiful can be enjoyable. Use old or broken items to make new, refreshed, unique items.

Use a set of old license plates into a set of bookends by simply bending one end of the license plate over a table or countertop. This gives it the end that slides under the books while the rest of the license plate rests against the books. You can leave as-is for a vintage look or spray paint and decorate for a more modernized look.

Create a pet bed out of an old stained jacket, unwanted or worn out jeans, damaged drapes, or even an old quilt or blanket that you no longer use. Simply cut the fabric to the size you want, avoiding any damaged areas. Sew the sides together leaving one side open for turning. You can either leave this open or stitch across lengthwise to create tunnels. Stuff (of course recycling stuffing from old unwanted items if possible). Stitch over open end.

Use vintage aprons, handkerchiefs, clothing, etc. to create one-of-a-kind drapes or valances for your home. Recycling old clothing or other fabric items into new designs is a great way to use these things and maybe even preserve some memories.

Instead of throwing out your old light bulbs when they burn out recycle them by making them into holiday ornaments! Any size or shape of bulb can be used to create interesting and adorable items. For example, a large round bulb such as you would see in a bathroom fixture can be painted with a base coat of white paint. Add some eyes, an orange nose, and a crocked smile. Paint the metal end that is screwed into the fixture with black paint. You now have a snowman!

Filed Under: Alternate Fuel Tagged With:

Recyling Can be Fun

January 4, 2011 by

There is a lot of talk about recycling, but have you considered the fun aspects of recycling? Recycling does not have to just be about separating your garbage or composting your grass trimmings. There are many fun projects you can do to recycle as well. Finding uses for old items is not only good for the environment but it is also good for your creativity.

Don’t throw out that old worn pair of blue jeans. Instead use them to create a functional work of art. Denim can be used to make Barbie clothing, throw rugs, quilts, a denim diary cover, make an organizer out of a leg from an old pair of jeans, convert those jeans into a skirt, or make a purse out of the pockets. Finding new uses for your old worn out blue jeans is not only practical but it can also be a lot of fun.

What about those old CDs or ancient vinyl records? You can create some interesting and useful items with these. You can recycle your old CDs to hold your mail by making a letter holder with them. Use them to make a cute snowman. With a little heat and some ingenuity you can turn an old vinyl record into a bowl!

You can even use items such as broken dishes to create art. Use the broken shards of a dinner plate to create mosaic art. This can be added to clay flowerpots to dress them up or even create a mosaic design on an old table top that needs some added interest. For that old teacup and saucer set that doesn’t match anything else you have, instead of throwing it out turn it into a stylish lamp.

There is no limit on the things you can do with items you would have normally thrown out. If you do not feel you are creative enough to come up with ideas of your own, spend some time on the internet searching for crafts you can make with recycled items. Use your imagination. You may be surprised by what you can come up with!

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