Many materials we use every day can be reused and recycled. You may find new ways to reduce how much garbage you throw away. Maybe you can even start a recycling program in your school or community!
Some cities make it easy for their residents to recycle. All you have to do is toss everything that is recyclable into your big bin and bring it to the curb once a week. Other places may not be so progressive or have the infrastructure to support a recycling pick-up.
Just because your city doesn't help with recycling pick-up doesn't mean it has to be difficult and time consuming for you to recycle on your own. With a few simple steps, you can create your own at-home recycling center.
1. Find 4 containers to use to hold your different kinds of recycling: glass, plastic, paper, and aluminum. If you like, you could use garbage cans, plastic storage bins, or even cardboard boxes for the same purpose.
2. Locate a place in your home to put your recycling bins. In our house we use plastic laundry baskets that we keep lined up in the pantry. If you don't have room in your pantry, keep your at-home recycling center in your garage. If you live in an apartment, don't let that hold you back. Create a smaller version under your kitchen sink using shoe boxes or small plastic square bins (like milk crates.)
3. When the bins are full, take them to your local recycling center. Check online for the location in your city where you can take your recycling. Once again, bring the family along to help.
4. Be sure to keep your recycling bins clean. If you wash them out after your weekly trip to the recycling center, it will be simple to keep the cleanliness under control.
