Green Bins		Recycling Tips

Recycling Tips

When you are shopping, look over packaging.
By buying items in bulk or getting fruits and veggies loose rather
than prepackaged in plastic you instantly reduce your rubbish.
There is much that can be done, without much effort if you think.
What you are doing ? and what impact will your actions have ?
Every little bit helps,so think it through.
One simple thing you can do is NOT take a bag
when you make a small purchase. Take a bag with you!
Preferably a cloth bag, but if you already have plastic bags
saved then reuse them.
You can help preserve resources, prevent excess rubbish that
will be dumped into landfills or left floating in the streets.

Around the kitchen

• Use reusable containers for food storage instead of
  wrapping with aluminum or plastic wrap.
• Use unbleached coffee filters. Bleached paper products
  create dioxin, a toxin which is dumped into waterways.
• Use rags (old t-shirts ) rather than paper products.
• Reuse paper towels used for drying your hands.
• Reuse plastic wrap and plastic bags (it can be washed).
  Keep in a handy place. Better yet, use containers.
• Keep bins in your kitchen for waste cardboard and glass.
  Make a trip to the recylcing bins become a routine.
  

Simple things to do:

• Don't take bags when making a small purchase .
• Use a reusable cloth or string bag when shopping.
• Use sponges instead of paper towels,
  and cloth napkins instead of paper .
• Look for containers that can be reused or at least
  recycled (glass and aluminum).
  Reusable containers are an even better way of recycling.
• Don't buy single use, throw-away products (such as razors,
  plastic utensils, paper plates, etc.)
  - look for ones that can be used repetitively.
• Buy fruits and vegetables, grains, pastas and any loose
  items without packaging (especially avoid
  styrofoam and plastic packaging)
• Don't buy plastic
• If it is possible to find dairies that refill milk containers in a
  refillable and reusable bottle
  Try eco-minded health food stores.
  
• Avoid the "aseptic drink box" made of layers of paper, plastic
  and aluminum -it can not be recycled. Instead use drink
  containers that are reusable or at least recycled.
  Choose the reusable alternatives.
  • sponges or rags vs. paper towels
  • reusable razors vs. disposable shavers
  • coffee mugs vs. paper or plastic cups
  • washable plates vs. paper
  • cloth napkins vs. paper
  • cloth nappies vs. disposable
  • handkerchief vs. tissues
  • reusable mesh coffee filters vs. paper

Concentrated or bulk

Choose concentrated juice, laundry soap and cleaners
(reduce waste, and save money)
Purchase dry foods in bulk (health food stores have
bulk bins great for beans, pasta, grains, etc.)
or else buy the larger sizes of products to reduce
the packaging waste. When you are shopping in bulk -
bring your own containers / bags and continue to reuse them.
Purchase in bulk whenever possible

Reuse and Recycle Paper

• Use both sides of paper when copying and writing.
• Share magazines and newspapers with friends or donate
  your already read ones to hospitals, doctors offices,
  or community places.
  
• Use common sense and your imagination...
  all paper / junk mail, etc. can be used as note paper.
  
• Remember though that re-using is preferable to recycling.
• Create a demand for recycled paper by using recycled printing
  and writing paper.
  
• Support local recycling efforts. Find out how much secondary
  (waste) fiber it contains vs. how much was derived from
  post-consumer waste paper, also whether the paper is
  de-inked, bleached or dyed.
  
• Cancel unnecessary magazine subscriptions.
  
• Stop junk mail.
• Cardboard boxes: flatten them and tie them up.
  
• Some recycling centers accept them, if not try grocery chains
  who have bailers and reclaim all cardboard.
  
• Take advantage of libraries.
  

Miscellaneous Tips

Avoid aerosol - there is no practical reuse or recycling potential.
Instead look for pump sprays and burn candles or incense instead of
using aerosol air freshener.
If you have to bring home a shopping bag, use them as rubbish bags,
or donate to a business that will reuse them. Don't just throw them away.
Get into the practice of carrying your own bag (a cloth or mesh one)
with you when you plan to shop.
Rather than use refreezable "ice" containers, freeze a plastic bottle with
H2O and use the same way.
Purchase products compatible with your neighborhood recycling banks.
Plan ahead and consider what you will be buying and where things will
ultimately end up. Give away things you no longer need or want,
or donate to a charitable organization or thrift store.
Don't throw away good items that are still usable.
BUY IRISH
Buy produce in season and from your local region.
Support local agriculture rather than importing products.
Not only are you paying for shipping and transportation
(unnecessary waste) but your local farmers need the support
and it will promote self-sustainability.

Nature is one large composting system.

Living organisms "eat" organic material and turn it into a rich,
crumbly soil called humus. Food scraps and yard waste can be
recycled through composting.
Write to manufacturers about packaging or ingredients that
are environmental hazards or use animal testing.
Voice your opinions, with enough response things will change!
Stop eating meat!or try eat less.
The meat industry is a vast waste of resources.
If you are not already a vegetarian - think about it .

Styrofoam will never degrade. Find a substitute!!
Don't use styrofoam peanut packaging - but if some comes
your way - reuse it!
Christmas trees
First of all, don't kill a tree just to put in your house
for 2-3 weeks. Celebrate with a living tree, or improvise.
If you must have a cut once-living tree.
Consider precycling and keeping a living tree in a pot, then
plant it after the holiday season.
Donate second hand clothes to a non-profit organizations
such as (thrift store / homeless shelter).
Worn out clothes can be turned into rags for kitchen or
bathroom cleaning (wash and reuse).
Tampons: use ones without applicators.

Water and energy saving tips.

Conserve energy. Use less energy and use it wisely.
Compact Fluorescent bulbs are an efficient lighting source
within the house.
Fluorescent adapter bulbs are available, conserving energy by
using less energy to create the same brightness as regular bulbs.
They    last longer   as well,
which will also save you money.
Adjust water heaters and radiators to conserve energy.
Don't let taps leak or drip water.
A running tap uses 3-5 gallons/minute.
Consider this:
Brushing teeth: wet and rinse your brush, this will use
1/2 gallon, saving 9 gallons wasted if you let the tap run.
Washing dishes: fill basin, will use 5 gallons, saving 25.
To really get an idea how much water is wasted fill up a
5 gallon jug with a pump and use all of your water from there
to see just how far it goes.
Put lids on pots to avoid heat waste and help water boil faster.
Use small pots on small burners, large on large for efficiency.
Use cool / cold water when possible.
Keep drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap to
get it cold . Water plants with leftover drinking water or from
washing veggies (vitamins are good for the plants).

Use rechargeable batteries.

Pet Tricks

If your pets like to nibble on your house plants, use crushed
rue leaves over the plants which will deter the animal without
any chemical repellents.
For dogs that like to chew on furniture or wood in the house try
painting some cayenne pepper mixed with water over the surface.
When their mouth burns, they're chewing will soon stop.
Rather than using electricity - open curtains and let the sun
shine into your home during the day.
The sun is the brightest and least expensive source of light.
If you live in a house,planting short,dense evergreen shrubs
around the foundation will provide insulation from the cold.