Recycling 101

If you haven't already, it is time to start recycling. Your town or municipality may use your recyclables as a source of power by incineration or may actually renew these items into other useful products. The most important thing is that these items don't end up in a landfill.

Most home recycling programs can be set up with three containers for separating different types of used items. One container houses shredded office paper, card board, magazines and other paper products that are not contaminated with food (ie: cheese on a pizza box will not be accepted). Make sure this container does not get wet.

Next, green and clear glass, aluminum cans and plastic with a recycle triangle number all can be combined in one container for recycling. Check your local recycling program to see which numbers in the recycle triangle are accepted. Most accept 1 (most water and juice bottles), 2 (milk and bleach jugs), 5 (ketchup and medicine bottles) and 6 (carryout containers) but check to make sure.

Your last container should house food scraps and other items that do not qualify for recycling. I have been able to reduce the amount of trash I send to rot in a landfill to less than one garbage bag per week. Most towns or counties now provide curbside pickup of these items but at least have a drop off point if not. Do your part and save the Earth!