Recycling Around the Home

Recycling Around the Home – it’s the little things

Kenneth Bargers | June 2025 Newsletter

Do you recycle?

Recycling is a simple task implemented in your day-to-day life that can dramatically help contribute to the health of our planet. Create a habit by starting small with one type of recyclable product to your recycling program. Once your routine becomes comfortable and effortless consider adding another type of recycling bin to your program.

As you organize your recycling routine keep in mind where your bin(s) should go to make it easier for you. Should it be in the kitchen, mud room, or garage? Call your local waste management services to determine what can be recycled, how it needs to be sorted and packaged, and what day recycling is collected. Some common recyclable items are as follows:

• All rinsed plastic bottles can be recycled

• Recycle newspapers, wrapping paper, envelopes, birthday cards, any cardboard - flatten cardboard boxes to fit into your bin

• Most rinsed metallic/food cans can be recycled - empty spray cans, tin foil, empty soda and food cans

• All rinsed glass can be recycled

• Hazardous Materials - research your local area to determine where you can safely dispose of batteries, light bulbs and other hazardous materials

• Composting - add your leftover food to your composting piles - along with your mulched leaves, food is quickly broken down and helps add nutrients back to the soil

• Cooking/Prep Water - even your pasta water can be used to water your flower pots and beds

Go Greener Tips

• Plant an herb garden

• Switch all your light bulbs to LED's

• Create a homemade compost bin

• Switch at least one appliance to an energy efficient model

• Stop using disposable bags - order some reusable bags

• Buy an inexpensive reusable water bottle

• Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot

• Turn off lights when you leave the room

• Enjoy natural light by reducing electrical light production

• Combine all your errands for the week in one trip

• Walk or ride a bike to your errands that are within a mile

• Shop farmers markets

• Turn off your computer at night

• Sign-up for green power from your utility company

• Unsolicited mail - sign up to opt out of pre-screened credit card offers

• Reuse scrap paper / print on two sides

• Before buying anything new - check your local thrift stores and online classifieds - also remember to donate items

• Fix leaky faucets

• Make your own household cleaners

• Line-dry your laundry

• Lower the temperature on your hot water heater

• Unplug unused chargers and appliances

• Repurpose something

• Collect rainwater for your plants and garden

• Switch to cloth diapers

• Switch to shade-grown coffee

• Clean Frugal - use cloth instead of paper to clean - create rags out of old towels and t-shirts

• Use cloth napkins daily instead of paper

• Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers and storage

VIDEO: Installing a Rain Barrel

VIDEO: Entire Recycling Process Explained