Let me tell you how crazy weird recycle lady I am... I buy recycled toilet paper, paper towels (if we are even going to buy them at all that is), recycled clothes, etc. So many of my "new" purchases are really just recycled items. And I recycle pretty much everything I use (again-bottles, clothes, Styrofoam [it's a hazardous material so be sure to look up where to drop in your area], electronics, boxes, bags, rubber, plastic, etc.). Every little thing you use can probably be cleaned and put into the recycling bin (or COMPOSTED!)-so why aren't you doing it?
Here are the top reasons I hear from people:
1)there is no recycling system in my building/office/neighborhood, etc.
*My answer: So Start One! Seriously, if you are serious about saving the planet then start it up yourself, jump on the good old interweb and research where the nearest recycling plants are to you, nearest drop off zones, how to set up your space as a pick up are, the rules for recycling in your city/neighborhood/state. Just do it. $5 says the people around you will be impressed and jump on board. Pl;us how great will you feel encouraging others to save the planet a little too!
2)the rules are too annoying, I don't have time to wash everything, leave off bottle tops, etc.
*My answer: does that extra few seconds to a minute really keep you from recycling? People let's stop being so gosh darn lazy, especially when it comes to saving this planet for future generations. If you find you don't have enough time in your day to take a minute to wash out a used can of soup/soda/beans then maybe shave that minute off of watching t.v. or from your shower routine or from even (gasp) playing on the internet. I said it, even I am guilty of this. You have time-just make it a priority.
These "reasons" are just excuses (excuses I've used too-so no judgement.) I am just trying to point out that we can move past those and do something that is actually quite easy. I've turned our home into a green recycling machine & I am starting to convert my office space as well. I now have a bin for us, we only use recycled paper for all our copying (and t.p. uses). It makes me feel great to know I am making a difference and my bosses are slowly starting to remember to use the recycling bin instead of the trash too. It's always great to see them stop themselves from throwing something in the trash that can be recycled into new!
So go out there and recycle EVERYTHING! And enjoy it chickens! :D
