Recycle that trash!

Do you recycle?  I didn't used to, then one day I looked at my trash can, looked at my kids and realized I couldn't leave them my mess to clean up when they are older.  What was I teaching them, to be so wasteful?  Every recyclable thing I threw away was one more thing piling up in landfills. So, I decided it was time to take some responsibility to reduce my families footprint in this world. 

I read up on what is recyclable and found that there are all kinds of helpful websites out there. As an added bonus, my brother-in-law works as a diesel mechanic at a large waste collection company, so I gather up all our recycling for a few weeks and he drops it off before work.  I know not everyone is that lucky, but what's a few minutes out of your day every week or so?  Plus, most garbage companies offer curb pickup these days.  

We also received a local recycling information brochure, which was a welcome surprise.  After I gained some knowledge, it was time to get down to business.

* I have a box on top of our refrigerator for used batteries.  There are a few places around my town that will take the old batteries for about 20 cents a pound.  So, I bring a few pounds of batteries, it costs me a couple dollars, and my little box of batteries are off to be used in producing new batteries!

* My daughter's school, and many other schools in our local town, have paper collection bins.  I get paper bags from the grocery store if they offer them, then use those paper bags to collect newspaper, junk mail, old magazines, and other bits and pieces that end up piling up. Then, I just toss them in the bin after I have a few bags.  Simple as can be!

* Most grocery stores have bins for old plastic bags.  Drop them off when you go into shop.  Doesn't take but a minute.

* I buy garbage bags made from recycled plastic, they only cost a few cents more than regular ones.   

*  Donate those old items you don't want.  You're getting rid of them anyway, why throw them into a landfill?

* Don't forget about your paper towel and toilet paper tubes!  They can go in with your cardboard recycling.  Think about how many of those you throw away!

* After a party, I usually end up digging through our trash to get the plastic party cups.  Recyclable!

Shampoo bottles, body wash bottles, yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, cans, ...glass...etc..

I think that healthy living and recycling go hand in hand, don't you? 

I am learning as I go, but I am proud of my progress so far. 

I want to show my children that not only do we respect our bodies, but we respect nature. We are a part of this earth. Like I said before, by being wasteful, throwing away things that can be recycled, what are we teaching our children? 

All the cool kids are doing it...