How to start Recycling
Thank you Recycling Simplified by Republic Services for sponsoring this post. Learn more about recycling by visiting the Recycling Simplified website today!
I’m kind of embarrassed to say this, but we never recycled. Growing up that was something we never did, and the same for my husband. I was always around recycling, because my friends’ parents did it, and I thought it was so cool! I would say “when I grow up, I’m going to recycle so I can make a difference in the world.” Well fast forward 20-some years, my husband and I still weren’t recycling.
I’m going to share a few reasons why we didn’t, and I know they’re just excuses and we need to just do it. But in my city, they don’t make it easy. The recycling bins that you need for the recycling truck to come by and pick it up, must be purchased and they’re not cheap (note: this isn’t the norm, just happens to be where we live!). That same recycling bin must be picked up at City Hall (they won’t deliver) – again, not the norm – and if you work a 9-5 you literally can never get to city hall during business hours. I know these are just excuses but it was just really inconvenient for us. I wish my city made it much easier, but, after so many years of not recycling our trash, we decided to make the jump and just do it.
What made us want to make a change?
We love this planet we live on! It’s absolutely beautiful. Although we’re just one family, we KNOW we can make a difference!
That’s when I knew it was time for us to STOP making excuses and START making a difference. Because I’m pretty clueless, I went on this website called Recycling Simplified where they gave me all the tools I needed to start recycling. They made it clear it was as easy as 1-2-3!
Here is how YOU can start recycling:
- Know what to throw
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- Cardboard and Paper: Flattened cardboard, newspapers, magazines, office paper and common mail.
- Metal Cans: Beverage and Food Cans
- Plastic Bottles and Jugs: Food and liquid containers with the lids on.
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- Empty-Clean-Dry
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- Clean all recyclables from food and liquids: Just one dirty bottle or item can contaminate the contents of a whole recycling truck. Once cardboard or paper comes into contact with food or liquid, it can no longer be recycled.
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- Don’t bag it
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- Never put recyclables in containers or bags: No bags go in the recycling container, and never put recyclables in bags or containers. and Also, NO mixed materials- When two or more materials are connected, like paper envelopes with plastic bubble wrap inside, the items can’t be recycled.
When it comes to recycling, everyone has a part, and in 2018, Republic Services launched the Recycling Simplified education campaign to help consumers get back to the basics when it comes to recycling. On Recycling Simplified’s website, they have so many resources for anyone who is interested in learning about recycling, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been doing it for years. There’s also the Recycling Simplified Education Program which contains everything educators need to teach students about recycling with step-by-step lesson plans and supporting materials including activities, videos, student certificates and handouts for students to bring home. How cool is that?!
Also on their site, I found a coloring activity for my boys which got them even more excited about our new journey and mission as a family.
So If you’re like me and making a million excuses why not to recycle, I encourage you to check out Recycling Simplified site to learn more and how YOU CAN start recycling in your community today!
