Go Green

Many more families are trying to "live green", by recycling cans and plastic bottles, creating mulch from left over peelings from their meals, using alternative methods of energy and transportation, and taking their own bags to carry their groceries. All of this activity is a step in the right direction towards making our home "earth", a safer and better place to live. But, are you aware you can help the earth, and your wallet, by recycling through certain retail establishments?

MAC is a line of cosmetics that is committed to the environment. You can return your empty lipstick tubes, empty compacts, foundation bottles, and mascara tubes, etc. After returning six of your empties, they reward you with a free MAC lipstick of your choice. Great deal if you ask me.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/giving_back/btm_return_packaging.tmpl

Starbucks in the US and Canada will give you a ten-cent discount if you bring in your own reusable mug or tumbler. Also, if you stay and consume your beverage in their store, you can request to have it served in their ceramic mugs, rather than a paper cup, to help with their efforts. They also have made a goal to serve 25 percent of their beverages in reuseable cups. Thanks Starbucks.

http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/environment/recycling

One of my favorite places to shop bi-monthly is Costco. They have partnered with Gazelle, which is an established recycling service.

Go to:

http://costco.gazelle.com/

All those old electronics that you no longer use can be traded in for Costco Cash Cards. With the cost of food on the rise, you could no doubt use a little extra help and at the same time, declutter your home.

Do you have old computers, cameras, gaming consoles, mp3 players, video games and movies calculators, or other electronics that you no longer use? This is the perfect place to recycle and reap a reward. They take thousands of items for recycling.

Best Buy want to help you dispose of your old electronics, and will give you a Best Buy gift card in return. You can either take them to your local store or ship them to a trade-in center with a prepaid shipping label. They do not care where you purchased your item, but they accept TVs, cell phones, computer monitors, all those cables you have sitting around, check it out:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/Recycling-Electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025&DCMP=rdr0001422

Staples became a partner with the US EPA WasteWise Program in 2005. They offer $2 in Staples Rewards for toner and ink cartridges up to 10 per calendar year. They also offer free recycling services for cell phones, digital cameras, and rechargeable batteries. Thank you Staples!

At Recyclebank.com you can earn travel, electronics, and sporting goods through their rewards program. They encourage you to recycle and adopt earth friendly habits to rack up your points.

They have a whole bunch of great articles about how you and your family can go green and help save the environment.

http://www.recyclebank.com/

I am sure there are more, but here is one last one - Terracycle.com motivates companies to offer money to customers for recycling. Then they donate the goods to nonprofit associations or schools. You can see all the good they have done on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/TerraCycle?sk=app_10442206389

I think it is pretty impressive, if I do say so myself.

I hope this hub has inspired you to be more aware of how you can help our great home, earth. Please do your part, and I promise I will try to do mine.