From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: Recycling Resurgence–Four Ways to Jump on the Bandwagon and Stay There

A great deal of resources are used in manufacturing consumer goods and producing packaging. When you recycle junk mail, aluminum cans, and milk jugs, you are playing an important role in helping the planet. Consider these four ways in which you can jump on the recycling bandwagon and stay there.

Sign Up for Curbside Pickup

Make recycling easier by signing up for curbside pickup of your recyclables. Instead of having to make trips to the nearest drop-off point, the recycling service would pick the items up from designated bins placed on your curb. Curbside pickup helps to save your time. It also avoids unnecessary trips that burn fossil fuels and contribute to pollution.

Recycle and Take Care of the Planet Every Day

Recycle and take care of the planet every day. See what you can do around your house, such as saving boxes, paper towel, and toilet paper rolls for kids to make crafts with. Find out about which materials are accepted into your municipal recycling program. For example, if cardboard is accepted but Styrofoam is not, choose items that are packaged in the recyclable material. See if you can recycle washing machine water to flush the toilets or wash your car.

Consider Items with Recycled Packaging

Support companies that use recycled materials in their packaging. Some companies, like Ware Disposal, know that most boxes, cans, and jars will have a disclaimer stamp or marking that states how much of the material is post-consumer recycled content. Choose paper towels and other household items that are made from recycled materials. You could even have your house insulated with recycled wool, synthetic fibers, or newspaper.

Reuse Items before You Recycle Them

When possible, use items again before you recycle them. After emptying a jar of jelly, you could use that jar countless times to store leftover food. If you receive a package in the mail, save the box and use it to wrap a gift. You could also color over the address labels and use it when you need to send a package. Recycling does take some energy and use some resources, and reusing an item before you recycle it helps it to have a longer useful lifespan.

Incorporating recycling into your daily routines will soon become a habit. Be sure to stay updated on changes in your local recycling programs. You might find that your local recycling service accepts more materials or different types of plastics than it once did. By making recycling a routine, it will be easier to do.