Talkin’ Trash

By KaeBeth Rosenberg

With special thanks to Andy Gale of “Bay Area Recycling for Charities” for his input and consultation

Almost 100% of garbage is recyclable. As a society, we simply need to train ourselves to look at trash a little differently.

Most people put their basic newspaper, glass, cans, and plastic bottles/containers in the recycling bin, but there are many more items that can be reprocessed.  Following is a list of items you may never have thought of recycling or composting:

• Hangers–plastic as well as wire from the dry cleaner
• Bread bags, “Stretchy” Film (Grocery bags, etc.–Not cellophane) Shrink wrap, Bubble Wrap, Bags for pet products like hay, and hamster food
• To-go coffee & soft drink lids
• Styrofoam cups
• Prescription & pill bottles
• Packing Peanuts (Secured in their own bag)
• White #6 Polystyrene (Styrofoam) block packaging
• Glass makeup jars/bottles (Cleaned)
• Wrapping paper & tissue  (No wrapping paper with plastic on it)
• Aluminum foil & foil yogurt lids (Rinsed clean, and placed in a storage baggie)
• Plastic wrappers from incontinence supplies, diapers, napkins, paper towels, etc.
• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
• Plastic cutlery (Cleaned)
• Foam food trays for meat or bakery items (Washed clean…No saran wrap)
• Candle jars (Put into freezer for one hour to aid in popping out the wax.)
• Light bulbs
• Auto tires
• Plastic bottle caps (Keep on bottles)
• Disposable plastic plates & cups (Rinsed clean)
• Candle wax (It’s compostable!)
• Christmas trees and lawn waste
• Ink cartridges (for reuse)
• Ink pens –metal & plastic (Outside housing only, not ink.  Separate metal from plastic)
• Batteries
• Hard plastic product packaging/Blister Wrap  
• Disposable razors
• Broken drinking glasses (Bag so no one gets hurt)
• Plastic gift cards

While our local recycling centers do not accept some of these items, there are other places/programs in place to handle this “waste”.

For instance, most office supply stores accept used ink cartridges. “Target” stores have become greener by setting up bins inside their doors for these, and other items. Shipping stores accept used packing peanuts. “Bay Area Recycling for Charities” takes most of the things listed and donates the proceeds to a charity of your choice. Several local grocery stores have drop-off bins for plastic bags, should you have to use them.

With just a little effort on our part, we can reduce what goes into our landfills. For example, by taking reusable shopping bags to the store we can cut down on a huge amount of waste. Say “no” to plastic straws and talk to the manager of your favorite restaurant to request a no-straw policy. (Most restaurants automatically bring straws with drinks when they aren’t necessary.)
Other ideas:

~Wrap presents in reusable gift bags, or fabric.
~When having a party, use “real” plates, cutlery, and cups instead of plastic or Styrofoam.
~Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner.
~Have your Christmas tree turned into compost
~Add some class to your meals by using cloth napkins to replace paper ones.  
~Invest in a battery charger.
~Whenever possible, take your own travel mug to the coffee shop.
~Make mosaics, or stepping stones, out of broken dishes.
~Request to get your bank and credit card statements online to cut down on paper products. 
~Utilize www.freecycle.org .  Simply post your unwanted/unused items online, and someone in
  your local area who needs them will pick them up. 
~Use online greeting cards. 
~Shave with electric or reusable razors, rather than disposables, get waxed, or grow a beard.   
~Clean up spills with washable materials in place of paper towels. 
~At the grocery store or farmer’s market, forego plastic bags for fruits and vegetables. 
~Try environmentally-friendly cleaning products like Vinegar & Baking Soda instead of purchasing
  chemical cleaners.
~Wash and reuse storage/sandwich bags, or wrap sandwiches in wax paper. 
~Start a home compost pile to help fertilize your garden or flower beds.
~Ladies, use cardboard tampon applicators instead of plastic.

All it takes is some thought to utilize the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Here’s to each of us doing our part!

Special Note: All Hazardous Materials such as paints, solvents, and other chemical products should be handled by the county and not placed in garbage or recycling receptacles.