Recycling 101: Setting Up A System

Recycling: you know how important it is, but you're not sure how to do it "right."
If this sounds like you, you likely fall into one of three buckets:

1. You are worried you will do it "wrong," so you opt not to do it at all; you don't want to ask questions that you feel like you should already know.
2. You put everything with a recycle symbol in your neighborhood recycling bin without realizing that many recyclables cannot all be recycled together. Read more about material contamination here. 
3. It seems like too much work/time-consuming.

I know this because I have fallen into each of these three buckets at some point in time.

I feel so inspired by many of my clients' dedication and desire to recycle properly of the items they're discarding, and I feel like I have a responsibility to educate myself on the topic so I can do better myself and for you.

In the past 48 hours, I have done a few things:

• I have been taking a few extra SECONDS to look up where I am supposed to recycle every object that I'm discarding (with a recycle symbol).
• I emailed my local recycling facility with questions I had (I visited my city's Public Works webpage to obtain contact information).
• Based on what I'm learning, I have set up several recycling zones in my house, based on where I am noticing recyclable items keep surfacing. So far, all are in my kitchen; I will soon be setting one up in the office for plastic bags, as well.
• My kitchen recycling zones consist of:

1. Glass and Plastic Cans/Bottles (curbside pickup)
2. Paper/Cardboard (curbside pickup)
3. Plastic Bags (store drop-off) - for me, these will go to Target
4. Batteries/Other Recyclables (recycling facility drop-off) - for me, these items will be taken to SOCRRA​

The kitchen is where I notice the majority of our recyclable waste tends to collect, and it is a central location in our house. For that reason, the items we most frequently dispose of need zones IN THE AREA THEY ACCUMULATE. Let me say it another way: convenience is ESSENTIAL for consistency! 

I anticipate the small tin I have designated for Batteries/Other Recyclables under the sink to fill up rather quickly, so I set up several larger bins in the basement to collect and separate items that eventually need to go to a recycling facility. My goal is to do a quarterly drop-off, or as necessary. With these bins, I will be able to keep items sorted by type (ex. batteries, paint, electronics, household cleaners).

• Please note that where and what types of items that can be recycled will vary by city/location. For your ongoing reference, I highly recommend using the website https://search.earth911.com/ to see where you can recycle specific items (they even have an app you can download on your phone for quick reference)!
• You know those clear recycling bags you can purchase at the store? Those can't always be used in your recycle bin.  Check with your city to find out what can and cannot be picked up with curbside pickup.

I felt compelled to share this information because I imagine that, like myself, many people WANT to recycle, know the importance of it, yet lack the foundational knowledge and a system to do it properly.

Always remember that learning is continuous and it is never too late to start a good habit.

I hope this system helps set you up for success to recycle with confidence and pride!