Recycling Ideas for Busy Moms
Making the most of what we have to economize and cut down on waste...
Sometimes all you have to do is choose what is convenient for you and make it easy & convenient for the rest of the family. Here are some ideas...
Office:
- Buy recycled paper, print on both sides, recycle again.
- White paper is easier to recycle using less chemicals in the process.
- Make recycling bins available in your home for: paper, plastic, metal. Keep them easily accessible and label them for convenience.
- Use paper bags or cardboard boxes to collect unwanted junk mail and office papers.
- Reuse old papers for notes, grocery lists, etc on the other/blank side.
- Save unused envelopes from bills, etc to store receipts, etc.
- Proof read before you print. Use smaller font & wider margins so you can fit more content on a page.
- Ink & toner cartridges: buy them remanufactured, recycle them, refill them.
- Recycle or reuse old newspapers or magazines. Put them in the recycle pile, leave them for someone else to use, donate them to libraries or senior centers.
Kitchen:
- Reuse your morning coffee cup or use a mug.
- Spread coffee grounds in garden to add extra nutrients to the soil.
- Grind lemon rinds in garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
- Reuse plastic fruit cups for kid’s painting projects.
- Use plastic butter or whipped topping containers to store your leftovers.
- Limit the amount of disposable cups you use by writing the users name on it or identifying it in some other way.
- plastic dishes, forks and cups can actually be washed in the dishwasher and reused. Check labels to make sure.
- Use cloth napkins & and tablecloths instead of paper.
Bedroom:
- Donate clothing you are no longer using to a local charity that picks up right from your home or sell at a garage sale or reused clothing store.
- Use old socks, towels or washcloths for housecleaning.
- old towels make good insides for a new pillow, just roll or fold up and cover with fabric, you won’t need to buy stuffing.
Bathroom:
- Use non-aerosol shaving cream and deodorant.
- Many shampoo/conditioner/toothpaste containers can be recycled. Check labels before buying. OR look for refill packs to cut back on trash.
- Use toilet paper made from recycleable content.
- Install showerhead & toilet that conserves water.
Car:
- Drive slower, avoid quick speed ups & stops to save fuel.
- Be sure tires are filled to correct pressure to also save on fuel.
- Park car in shade during the hot summer months to save on amount of air conditioning.
- Combine errands.
- Commute when there’s less traffic.
- Drive a hybrid.
Shopping:
- Look for recycle option in all products you buy.
- Buy rechargeable batteries (it take 1000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery) Recycle your used batteries.
- Purchase rewritable CD’s & DVD’s so they can be reused.
- Reuse plastic bags or carry your own bag to use.
- Buy fresh produce instead of canned to save on packaging.
- Purchase concentrated cleaners and mix them with water to save on buying more bottles.
Books:
- Throw a book swap party and exchange your already read books for new ones.
- Donate your books to a local library or local charity, hospital or senior center where others may enjoy them.
- Sell your previously read books on the internet or to book stores that will resell them.
- Leave books in places where people can pick them up and reuse.
- Donate children’s books to a school and textbooks to a college.
- Recycle Text Books
Computers:
- Protect your personal information on an unwanted computer with Eraser which will eliminate all data on your hard drive.
- Dell or Gateway will take their old computers back.
- Donate your old computer to a charity or non-profit school. Often you can send to a refurbisher and they will pass it along to a school. You can find a local refubisher through Techsoup’s list. You can also find an organization who might need your equipment through Share the Technology.
- Sell your equipment through eBay. But don’t expect to make much money since computer equipment loses most value in 2 years time. You might also be able to trade your laptop in for a TigerDirect gift certificate.
- Let your kids learn on your old computer. For more information on electronic recycling:
Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 3 cubic yards of landfill space.
The USEPA estimates that commercial & residential trash in the United States come to about 207 million tons a year, much of which can be recycled or re-used, keeping it out of landfills and saving new materials that would have to be used.
37% of the weight of all solid waste is paper, most of which can be recycled.
All kinds of glass containers can be recycled and reused multiple times. You may have to find a recycling center to take it to. They do not accept ceramic glass, dishes or plate glass.
Only two types of plastic can really be recycled: plastic soda bottles and milk jugs & detergent bottles are your best bets.
It takes approximately one tree for every 24 books printed.
WHAT’S CONFUSING: If you purchase something that has been recycled you don’t know how much of it has actually come from recycled material. It could be either a very small amount or the whole thing. Also some products you buy that can be recycled may not be able to be recycled in your community. Contact your city offices if you want more specific information.
