Recycling is more important than many people realize, and it is one easy way that everyone can do their part to help take better care of the planet. However, there is still a lot of confusion around recycling which leads many people to forgo it. To help make this process easier, here are some recycling tips to keep in mind.
Reduce and Reuse
When it comes to recycling, it’s important to keep in mind the “3Rs”, reduce, reuse, and recycle. The three things help classify waste management strategies based on how they minimize waste. Reducing is one of the most important, and that is why it comes first. The best recycling tips when it comes to this is reducing the amount of waste you put into the bin, and this often goes hand-in-hand with reusing.
To put this into practice, you can do things such as buy items secondhand, select items that use less packaging materials, invest in reusable items instead of disposable ones — such as shopping bags — and borrow and rent things that you are only going to use infrequently. This will help cut down on the things you need to recycle or toss out, and it can provide you with long-lasting items that you can use for much longer, such as washable cleaning rags and shampoo bars.
Recycling Better
One of the best recycling tips is learning what is recyclable and what isn’t, as this can help you make smarter choices while buying and prevent you from tossing away things that could be reused. Things like plastic shopping bags, electrical cords, Styrofoam, and clothing should never be tossed in your recycling bin. Additionally, some localities differ in what they accept, so you’ll want to visit your local city’s website to learn more about how their recycling program functions.
When recycling, you should also pay attention to the symbols on items. For example, if there is a number one on it, it is recyclable through most curbside programs, so long as it is empty and rinsed. However, if it has a number such as six or seven, which many curbside programs do not accept, you will need to find another place locally where you can take them.
When it comes to recycling, one of the most important things you can do is look for ways to reduce your waste and invest in reusable items. However, this will never eliminate waste entirely. Because of this, it’s important to keep in mind what can and cannot be recycled in your area so that you can do your part when it comes to making our planet a better place to live.
