We are all striving to live greener lives. Many of us choose to use reusable shopping bags to reduce the production of plastic bags, and the filling of landfills. Reusing eco friendly shopping bags is a lot like recycling. Just like a recycled product, we reuse these bags instead of simply tossing them into the garbage. Plastic bags can often be recycled at least once, usually to create garbage bags. However, most grocery stores have bins to collect plastic bags, which can be reused several times.
But what other things are worth recycling? You've no doubt heard rumors that some recycling simply isn't worthwhile. However, recycling aluminum cans is one prudent way to help save energy. In fact, due to the energy-intensive manufacturing process of refining raw aluminum, it is roughly sixty percent more efficient to recycle aluminum. So recycling aluminum is a great way to lower our energy use.
Other metals are worth recycling too. So is plastic. Although plastic, aluminum, steel, and other metals can all go into landfills without much environmental impact, it is wiser to recycle them. The manufacturing process uses far more energy than than the recycling process. This means our energy use can be lowered through recycling, and we will reduce the amount of garbage in our landfills.
We use other items around the home that should be carefully disposed of too. For instance, Nickel and Cadmium are both toxic waste products. These substances are monitored by the EPA and manufacturers that use them must follow stringent guidelines. Unfortunately, it is often the common consumer that carelessly pollutes the environment with these substances. Common NiCAD batteries contain Nickel and Cadmium, yet are generally tossed into the dumpster. It is important not to throw these or other batteries away. Instead, they should be properly recycled. Many stores will recycle them for you, free of charge.
Another product that, ironically, leads to increased pollution is the compact fluorescent bulb. This bulb is often touted as the ideal replacement to the ubiquitous incandescent bulb, because it is far more energy efficient; and it is! Unfortunately, it also contains mercury and should not be tossed into the trash. As soon as these fluorescents break open, mercury is released into the environment.
Luckily, fluorescent bulbs and a variety of batteries can be recycled. Many stores provide drop locations for these items. They are then disposed of appropriately, and reusable parts are recycled. Check around in your area to see which stores accept which items. In addition, spread the word so more people understand how to properly dispose of these items.
Most cities keep tabs on where different items can be recycled or properly disposed of. Whether you have pesticides, used car oil, or batteries, there should be a location near you designed to properly dispose of or recycle your used items. So remember, although reusable grocery bags help the environment a lot, there is so much more you could be doing. If we all make an effort to be aware of what can and should be recycled, we can reduce our energy consumption, and keep the environment healthy for generations to come.
But what other things are worth recycling? You've no doubt heard rumors that some recycling simply isn't worthwhile. However, recycling aluminum cans is one prudent way to help save energy. In fact, due to the energy-intensive manufacturing process of refining raw aluminum, it is roughly sixty percent more efficient to recycle aluminum. So recycling aluminum is a great way to lower our energy use.
Other metals are worth recycling too. So is plastic. Although plastic, aluminum, steel, and other metals can all go into landfills without much environmental impact, it is wiser to recycle them. The manufacturing process uses far more energy than than the recycling process. This means our energy use can be lowered through recycling, and we will reduce the amount of garbage in our landfills.
We use other items around the home that should be carefully disposed of too. For instance, Nickel and Cadmium are both toxic waste products. These substances are monitored by the EPA and manufacturers that use them must follow stringent guidelines. Unfortunately, it is often the common consumer that carelessly pollutes the environment with these substances. Common NiCAD batteries contain Nickel and Cadmium, yet are generally tossed into the dumpster. It is important not to throw these or other batteries away. Instead, they should be properly recycled. Many stores will recycle them for you, free of charge.
Another product that, ironically, leads to increased pollution is the compact fluorescent bulb. This bulb is often touted as the ideal replacement to the ubiquitous incandescent bulb, because it is far more energy efficient; and it is! Unfortunately, it also contains mercury and should not be tossed into the trash. As soon as these fluorescents break open, mercury is released into the environment.
Luckily, fluorescent bulbs and a variety of batteries can be recycled. Many stores provide drop locations for these items. They are then disposed of appropriately, and reusable parts are recycled. Check around in your area to see which stores accept which items. In addition, spread the word so more people understand how to properly dispose of these items.
Most cities keep tabs on where different items can be recycled or properly disposed of. Whether you have pesticides, used car oil, or batteries, there should be a location near you designed to properly dispose of or recycle your used items. So remember, although reusable grocery bags help the environment a lot, there is so much more you could be doing. If we all make an effort to be aware of what can and should be recycled, we can reduce our energy consumption, and keep the environment healthy for generations to come.
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