Ah…the holidays. For many of us it means lots of parties and, of course, eating. As you can imagine, more waste is generated during this time of year. In fact, it is estimated that Americans will generate 25 percent more waste, resulting in an extra 5 million tons of garbage! Yes, millions!
While this statistic may be alarming, you can become part of the solution. Here are a few tips for smart recycling this season:
- Inquire about your community’s recycling programs. What is accepted and where can you drop it off?
- Clean and empty. Yes, you should give the item a good rinse before putting it in the bin.
- Away from home? No problem. Put the recyclable in a bag so you can take it home.
- Reuse those bags! Plastic bags are versatile. Think trash liners and kitty litter bags.
- Think beyond the kitchen. For example, you might have an empty plastic shampoo or soap bottle in the bathroom.
- Set an example. Older relatives might not be as inclined to recycle, and younger kids are just starting to learn. Explain that today’s plastic can become tomorrow’s packaging. Every little bit helps.
These tips are a great starting point. Don’t beat yourself up if you forget to recycle an item or two. The holidays can really play havoc with even simple routines.