RECYCLE THE REST
Americans produce 154 million tons of garbage
every year‑‑‑enough to fill the New
Orleans Superdome from top to bottom, twice a day, every day. 50% of this trash
is recyclable!
BACKGROUND
Although newspaper,
glass, and aluminum are the most commonly recycled items, they aren't the only
ones you can recycle. Tin cans (which are actually 99% steel), plastic soda
bottles ‑and milk cartons,
telephone books and corrugated cardboard are all recyclable.
DID YOU KNOW
We'll repeat it: In the U.S., we throw away 2.5
million plastic bottles every hour‑and only a small
percentage of are recycled.
Recycled plastic can be used to make a number of
products, such as plastic lumber and fiberfill sleeping bag insulation. Bonus
value: 26 recyclable plastic soda bottles can make one polyester suit.
Recycling and reusing the material in
"tin" cans reduces related energy use by 74%; air pollution by 85%;
solid waste by 95%; and water pollution by 76% Yet only 5% of tin cans are
recycled.
SIMPLE THINGS TO DO
Recycle "other" materials the way youd
handle glass, etc.
First, check to see exactly what your local
center accepts.
If it takes plastic: Recycle plastic soda
bottles, plastic wrap, water bottles, coffee can lids, six‑pack neck rings, and clean milk bottles. o If it
accepts tin cans: Rinse, remove paper labels and both ends, and flatten. (This
reduces the volume, and cuts shipping costs.)
If it accepts corrugated paper, kraft paper, and
stationery: They'll probably tell you to flatten cardboard and paper, separate
white from colored paper, and bag or box it. If they don't acceptwcorrugated,
see if you can locate a waste paper dealer near you by looking in the yellow
pages under "waste paper" or "recycling."
SOURCES * The Recycler's Handbook, available
from EarthWorks Press, 1400 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. Comprehensive,
easy‑toread guide to recycling everythingfrom
newspapers to motor oil, $5.95.