How-to Green Your RecyclingBefore you recycle, remember that it’s better to reduce and reuse...and always replenish! That means using less of what already have and need, reusing it to a certain extent, and replenishing what you do use. Sadly, Orange County (and the US, in general) are not as eco-conscious as they could be. Land fills could be lessoned if products from cradle to cradle were placed in reusable friendly containers (like glass) and more items could be recycled. Doing your part to recycle what you would ordinarily thoughtlessly throw away can help get Orange County on the right track and perhaps even be an example.
1) Repair the damage: Although it may seem hard to do at first, instead of buying a new electronic device or clothing item, repair what you have. You can have most electronics repaired for as little as a tenth of the cost of what it would be to replace them completely. If you must buy another, buy it refurbished or used and lessen the production of your purchase. Mend clothing and shoes the old fashioned way and give away what doesn’t fit to donation centers like Goodwill and the Salvation Army to receive a tax deduction. You could even freecycle it within your local community Freecycle program or Craigs List or sell it online or have a yard sale. One man’s trash is another another man’s treasure.
2) Reuse the reusable: Many containers that you purchase, from spaghetti sauce jars to spray bottles, can be used time and time again. Buy the most durable and reusable products the first time around so they never have to see the recycling center. Once they’re at the recycling center, they’re always downgraded for something even less recyclable. If you have no interest in reusing what you have, give it to someone who is. Teachers, mom’s, and artists are always interested in reusable materials like bottles, wood, toilet paper rolls...the creativity is limitless! Share the wealth!
3) Read the symbol: The famous recycling graphic created by USC student, Gary Anderson, is a symbol not to be taken lightly. The numbers printed on the bottom of your items are used in recycling centers to assist in sorting. The greater the number, the toxins and the less it can be reused. For something to be recyclable if it’s not paper, it has to have a indicating number. If it doesn’t, it’s not recyclable and, therefore, cannot be put in the recycling bin. Remember: you can opt out of junk mail, catalog’s, or credit cards by online or by calling 888-5OPTOUT and save yourself from getting 41 pounds of junk mail and get off an average of 50 mailing lists.
4) Get the CRV: No, it’s not a car made by Honda. It’s the 5 cents you pay for each bottle of plastic or glass you purchase as an incentive to recycle in the first place. See the bottom of your receipt the next time you buy a pack of Hanson’s. When your recyclables are collected, the California Refund Value or CRV is paid to the trash company, like WM. You can however take everything you would throw away to a recycling center (see Recycle section) and receive the CRV instead. You may not get rich in a day, but you will keep the CRV you paid when you bought it. Follow the city guidelines to get the most out of your recycling.
5) Share the love: It’s easy to start a recycling program within your family, workplace, and community now than ever. Bottles and Cans will send you a free, recyclable kit for your gym, office, or school in order to develop a recycling program. You can even request multiple bins to accomadate for a larger space. Visit bottlesandcans.com to start a Recycling Program within your workplace and/or community. To keep plastic bags from entering into the landfills or from being recycled, start a community bag project with The Green Bag Project. There you can order a Green Bag toolkit and find out how you can create a reusable shopping bag for your city along with Laguna Beach and Orange.
6) Keep it in the Family: One way to encourage recycling after you’ve dropped off your own and gotten the CRV back is to spend that money on more recycled goods. Go recyclable crazy! Instead of buying brand new paper, pencils, filers, and other growing products fresh from the trees, buy recycled. Purchase recycled glass when you buy food products. Get recycled clothing and other goods from friends, family, and vintage/resale stores in the area. Buying recycled and using recycled will encourage more recycled products in Orange County.
7) Recycle everything: Okay, so now you know you can practically recycle everything and get the CRV, but what about the not-so-recyclable items floating in your head? Greenwaste--the food you eat, but don’t finish and stuff down the drain? Toxic Materials--paint cans, bleach bottles, spray cans, and the like? Clothes and furniture--things that are worn out, out of style, or just plain un-usable to you and your family? Easy! Recycle them! You can recycle these items and more (see Recycle section) at recycle centers throughout the county. Are you a business? Companies can also recycle their large loads or have them picked up for them. Contractors can recycle their wood, dry wall, and everything in between. If you can recycle it, please do!
8) Give what you have: It’s been said in other How-to Green guides on this site, and it will be restated time and time again. Recycle your water at home and encourage it at the office by using a grey water system (or even your own home system...buckets to capture water before it gets too hot to nurture indoor plants, etc.). Recycle your greenery by composting food scraps and garden trimmings. Use the compost yourself or donate it to a neighbor who gardens or the local community garden in your area. Recycle your electronics by donating them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army (who will fix what is broken) or one of the local recycling sites (see Recycle section).
By Jenn O’Brien
