print this pageGoing Green, Part Two
Recycling
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 75% of our waste is recyclable. This is great news, especially since the American Forest and Paper Association states that 87% of the U.S. population, or 268 million people, have access to curb-side or recycling programs. The hold-up is many people are unsure of what exactly can be recycled and if not in the curb-side bins, where random items can be recycled.
- Aluminum - To recycle aluminum foil or aluminum cans they must be rinsed thoroughly to prevent odor. You may either put them in a recycle bin or find a recycling center.
- Car Batteries - Car batteries contain lead which can be toxic. Many car part stores and garages accept battery drop-offs for recycling.
- Carpet - Natural fibers can be composted. Individual consumers generally can’t get rid of a carpet, but according to Earth911.com there are some local recycling centers for you to drop off old carpet. Your local trash company may pick-up carpet if special pick-up arrangements are made.
- Cell Phones - With only 10% of unwanted cell phones being recycled in 2007; the EPA is encouraging consumers to increase the nation’s cell phone recycling rate. Cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are made of precious metals, copper, and plastics. Recycling or reusing cell phones helps the environment by saving energy and keeping reusable materials out of landfills. If Americans recycled the 100 million cell phones that are no longer being used, enough energy could be saved to power more than 18,500 homes for a year. Phones that are not in use should be recycled because they contain toxic materials. Visit the EPA or GRC Wireless Recycling for different options on how to turn your cell phone into cash or donate.
- Composting - Composting is a great way to convert food and yard scraps into valuable garden soil. The EPA has information on what household organic materials can be used for compost and what should not.
- Electronic Waste - Electronic waste is growing exponentially. Televisions are used on average for less than 2 years while computers are used an average of 3 years. Electronics contain lead and other chemicals that should not be placed in landfills. Visit the Telecommunications Industry Association website to find a recycling center nearest you. Also, some office supply retailers allow consumers to drop off old computers for recycling.
- Glass - Glass bottles should not be mixed with other types of glass such as windows, light bulbs, mirrors, glass tableware, or auto glass. Do not put broken glass in recycling containers for someone to cut their hands on.
- Household Toxics - Items such as poisons, paints, oil, solvents, automotive fluids, cleaners, and herbicides must not be dumped into regular garbage. Water seeps through landfills and toxins can end up in the water table. If you have accumulated toxics to dispose of, contact a local recycling center - most have household drop-off days.
- Motor Oil - Motor oil contains heavy metals and other toxic substances, and is considered hazardous waste. Go to Earth911.com for recycling center information. Also industry associations are encouraged to take used motor oil so check with your local oil change center.
- Packing Peanuts – Many packing stores will take used peanuts, but call ahead first. Just pack them up in a plastic bag and drop them off. There is little recycling potential for “packing peanuts”, but they can be reused.
- Paper - Most types of papers can be recycled. The key to recycling paper is collecting large quantities of clean, well-sorted, uncontaminated and dry product. Paper goes in your recycling bin at the curb to be picked up by your city’s service.
- Plastic -The plastic industry has developed a SPI resin identification coding system – these codes can usually be found on the bottom of plastic bottles to identify their polymer type. Some misconceptions are that these markers mean the plastic can be recycled or that the container is made of recycled plastic. Your bin at home should only have plastics that your local recycling agency accepts. Typically types 1 and 2 are widely accepted in container form. Contact your local sanitation department for current information.
- Rechargeable Batteries - These batteries keep your wireless products and cordless tools going for thousands of charges, but when they eventually run out, it’s our responsibility to recycle them. Call2Recycle, provides information to over 50,000 convenient rechargeable battery recycling centers nationwide. Just enter your zip code to find a list of recycling centers in your area - it’s that easy! Also, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation is an industry funded group promoting battery recycling - just call 1-800-8BATTERY.
- Refrigerators, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners - All contain freon, a chemical known as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Before throwing away any of these appliances make sure the CFCs are drained out and recycled first. You may also be able to arrange for a curbside pick-up, sometimes at no charge. If disposing of a refrigerator curbside, secure for safety reasons so children do not get trapped.
- Single Use Batteries - Once recommended for the trash, increasingly
these batteries are collected. Go to Earth911.com for a recycling
center near
you.
Other Items - Unwanted household goods such as small appliances (that work), tableware, clothing, furniture, toys, sports equipment, and books can have a life again if donated to a local charity. Check with a local thrift store, consignment shop, or organizations such as American Red Cross or Salvation Army to see if they could use any of the items you are looking to dispose of.
Recycling Centers
Contact your local recycling center for information specific to your neighborhood. You can also visit the EPA or Call2Recycle for additional information on recycling old appliances and batteries. Unable to find a one-stop-shop for all states and counties recycling needs? Visit Earth911.com - here you can put in your zip code and the type of item needed to be recycled and find a center within the parameters given.
Other Resources
This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources:
Read these publications online from FCIC:
Consumer Focus - Tax Filing Year 2009
Websites*
Call2Recycle
Consumer Reports
Department of Energy
Earth911.com
Energysavers.gov
Energystar.gov
Environmental Protection Agency
Green Living
Internal Revenue Service
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Organic Trade Association
Salvation Army
Society of the Plastics Industry
USDA-National Organic Program
* Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are
provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are
endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government
agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this
does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.