Recycling
It’s good for you and the Earth! All the cool kids are doing it!
Go ahead, give in to the peer pressure!
In the last few years, going green has become a whole movement, from the success of An Inconvenient Truth and Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize to LA’s Million Tree Initiative and Metro’s environmental ad campaign. Recycling saves the Earth’s natural resources like trees and metal, it reduces the amount of materials going into our landfills, and it reduces greenhouse gases. With all the benefits and so many easy resources, recycling is almost a no brainer.
I think my favorite internet site for recycling information is Earth 911. You can search for recycling centers in your area (for specific items even, like batteries), get great ideas for greening your home, and more.
Confused about what goes in the Blue Bin?
We've all been there! Basically, any items that can be recycled can simply be put into your big blue bin instead of the black one (glass, paper, aluminium, plastic...) You can download a helpful Blue Bin flyer from L.A. City Sanitation that maps it all out for you. There are also city programs that work in conjunction with regular trash removal. Visit your city’s website to find out more (here's a link for Los Angeles)...
Lightening the earth’s load can make your pockets heavier too. Local Recycling Centers will pay for your recyclables like newspaper, glass bottles, even cat food cans! Check out a center near you!
What is CRV?
It stands for California Redemption Value and it is a small charge added to glass, plastic, and aluminum bottles or cans every time you purchase them. Most of us have gotten so used to this that we don’t even notice it. Did you know that it was first established as an incentive for people to recycle? It still can be. When you return these bottles and cans to recycling centers, you are given that money back. It’s your money, so why wouldn’t you want it back?
Protect the earth... and yourself!
Remember to protect your identity while protecting the Earth. Shred any documents that contain personal information, including those “pre-approved” credit card offers, receipts, bank statements, and bills. When recycling prescription bottles, be sure to remove the label as well. See To Flush or Not to Flush, for more information on proper disposal of medications.
One person's trash is another kid's art...
Coffee cans, milk and egg cartons, Newspaper, boxes big & small, plastic food tubs, etc.: what may seem like trash to you can mean valuable craft & science project supplies to your local schools. Check with your child’s teacher to see what they could use.
Electronic recycling
E-recycling (electronics) is also becoming easier with drop off sites, programs like Cartridges for Kids, and ink cartridge recycling at some office supply stores. Less than one fifth of the used computers are recycled. Make it one less by finding a computer recycling center in your area for your old PC or Mac. Office Depot will recycle your batteries from electronics such as wireless phones, laptop computers, and digital cameras. Culver City Seniors Center has a curbside used battery drop-off bin.
Get creative!
Think of businesses that use the items that you wish to get rid of, and see if they will accept them. Your dry cleaner may want those wire hangers and UPS Stores will take back dry packing peanuts.
Overwhelmed???
If all this sounds great, but too much to deal with, we’ll gladly handle it for you. We’ll take away anything that can be recycled and make sure it is handled properly. Good for the Earth and convenient for you at just $5 per bag. Contact me!
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