Start a recycling coalition

Everyone is aware of the downward spiral of the environment due to trash, chemical waste and pollution. In spite of this fact, many people do not recycle. If you recycle, BRAVO! There is an easy way to do your part and possibly make an even larger impact in the process.

Buy three or four large garbage cans, put garbage bags in them, and keep them near a door for easy access. This will provide receptacles for sorting and storage of paper, cardboard, aluminum (if you use soda and/or beer cans) and plastic. If you live in an area where you make a compost pile, you will cut down on landfill by starting one. Wash out plastic bottles, containers, etc. Save only clean cardboard and paper. No grease. Throw all lids and caps in the garbage. They can get struck in the recycling equipment.

Find the recycling centers in your area

Contact each recycling center and ask what products they will accept. Most have restrictions but they differ from facility to facility. Some will offer a very small compensation for the products they seek. In the area where I live, recyclers do not take plastic bags but our area grocery franchise will take them. Batteries are another item for which you will have to find a specialty recycler.

Start a recycling coalition

After you have all the regulations and locations, talk to your neighbors. Work out a schedule for each household to take turns hauling each household’s recycling to the proper facility on a set schedule. This arrangement will save you money and will eliminate the need for everyone to make the trip(s). It might make the difference in whether someone will recycle at all.

Working together will save you time and money, help the environment and give you a friendly relationship with your neighbors you may have not had previously. Everyone wins!

Another money-saving idea is to share the cost of garbage pick-up. This will only work in areas where garbage collection is an extra expense (obviously). Each household’s garbage will be greatly reduced as a result of the recycling. After a week of the recycling plan, compare notes and see how many bags each house now discards. Contact the collection service(s) to find out how many bags you may have at each stop. Pick the most central house and take your garbage there when it is time for collection. Share the collection costs among the neighbors.

Working together will save you time and money, help the environment and give you a friendly relationship with your neighbors you may have not had previously. Everyone wins!

If you have any tips our readers might be able to use, please put them in the comments section. Article submissions are welcome at Read It Here!

Shades is a former award-winning photographer and newspaper journalist. Due to an automobile accident, Shades had to switch to designing and maintaining websites. The most prominent was the popular fan site Planet Jendell. After a break of a few years, Shades now writes for Read It Here!. The author invites you to visit The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association.