Saturday, May 25, 2013

COMMON THINGS YOU CAN RECYCLE - MUST DO THINGS IN DAY TO DAY DAILY LIFE TO SAVE OUR EARTH - TRY TO ADOPT THEM



1)    Hearing Aids - Like eyeglasses, there are many people in need of hearing aids who can't afford them. Donate your old hearing aids to a variety of charities.
2)    Clothes - Clothes are one of the easiest things to recycle as so many charitable organizations will accept them such as Goodwill, Veteran's Support Groups and most churches. In addition, you can possibly sell them at a consignment shop if they are still in good shape and in style. Don’t throw old clothes away. You have so many choices! There’s consignment shops, thrift shops, freecycle, and the good old fashioned supermarket parking lot clothing bin. You can also cut your old clothes into rags rather than use paper towels, or make clothes, pillows, bags or other items from your old discards
3)    Christmas Trees - Most local city governments set up Christmas Tree recycling drop off's across the community after Christmas. They will accept the trees free of charge. The trees are generally turned into mulch which is then used in city parks. If you have an axe and chipper shredder, you can mulch your tree branches and use the wood for firewood. Even if you have no use for these, you can let someone else have it. Many towns also have Christmas tree recycling programs where they make mulch.
4)    Food - Start a compose heap in your backyard. Instead of throwing old food in the trash, throw it in the compost heap. You can use it to fertilize your garden.
5)    Food Containers - Before throwing a food container in the trash, check the label to see if it is able to be recycled. Glass jars and bottles, cardboard boxes such as some cereal boxes and paper wrappers can all be recycled in many cases.
6)    Computers - If your computer still works, you can donate it to a local library, school system or charity. If it no longer operates, contact your local recycling center. In addition, you can contact a local electronics retailer to see if they have a computer recycling program.
7)    Cell phones - There are numerous charities that accept cell phones - notably many charities that assist women. In addition, many companies that can be found online will pay you for your used cell phone if it still works. Finally, cell phone can be recycled for their parts which are re-used in new cell phones.
8)    Smoke detectors - Some smoke detectors can be returned to the manufacturer. Check with your manufacturer to see if the recycle your particular model. Some smoke detectors are considered hazardous waste because they contain small traces of Americium 241. If this is the case the manufacturer will recommend they're disposed of as hazardous waste.
9)    Ink Cartridges - Many office supply stores will take these. Some pay $1 per cartridge. Check with you local office supply store.
10)  Tires - Tires are horrible for landfills as they take up a lot of space, can leach dangerous chemicals over time and can pose a fire hazard. Tires are taken by local recycling centers and can be used for a variety of purposes such as be shredded for rubber mulch, recycled into new tires, and recycled into rubber containers. 
11) Telephones - There are places willing to buy back or accept donations of old telephones. These places refurbish old phones or use the parts and casings for other things. To find out how to dispose of your old telephones, do an Internet search.
12) Magazines - Since magazines are made of paper, all recycling centers and local curbside recycling services will accept them. You can also donate them to local schools or libraries.
13) Foam Packing Material - Most shipping businesses will take your old foam packing material. They will not pay you for it, but the material will be reused.
14) Fluorescent Bulbs - Fluorescent light bulbs contain Mercury which is considered hazardous waste. The mercury in bulbs can be used to make new bulbs. Don't throw your bulbs in the trash, contact your local recycling center to ask for their hazardous waste recommendations. Also, many hardware and home improvement stores will accept fluorescent bulbs for recycling.
15) Paint - Paint is considered hazardous waste. You cannot dispose of paint by dumping it down a drain or storm sewer. Many recycling centers accept paint which can be blended into some fuels at different manufacturing facilities.
16) PDAs - Recycling PDAs is similar to cell phone recycling. They can be given to charities, exchanged for cash on some sites, or truly recycled for their parts.
17) Motor Oil - If you change your own oil, please don't pour it down the drain, into a storm sewer or onto the ground. Most oil change and auto parts store will take your used oil for free. They use it to convert back into usable oil products.
18) Bathtubs, toilets and sinks - Many salvage stores will purchase old bathroom fixtures. Contact your local recycling organization to learn how to drop off used fixtures.
19) Books - Books can be donated to schools, libraries and other charities. They can also be recycled at your local recycling center or in your local curbside recycling program.
20) Carpets, Rugs, Padding - There are places that will try to recycle used carpets and rugs rather than toss them into landfill. Check online with the Carpet America Recovery Effort, UGA Carpet Recycling Resource, the California Integrated Waste Management Board or any other number of organizations geared towards recycling.
21) Batteries - If you're not already using rechargeable batteries, please consider doing so. Most recycling centers will accept batteries, depending on the type. Most auto parts stores will accept car batteries. If you buy a new battery from them, they will give you a discount off the new battery if you bring in your old battery.
22) Plastic Bags - Every supermarket has a bin located at the front for dropping off your plastic bags, even those that are torn. You can also make things from old supermarket plastic bags.
23) CDs/DVDs/Game Discs - There are various for profit businesses that buy or trade used CDs and DVDs and game discs. There are also some businesses that will take scratched discs and refurbish them for resale. Even if they do not pay you for the discs, they will not go into a landfill.
24) Clothing Hangars - Most dry cleaners will accept used clothes hangers. That is the easiest way to recycle them to be used again.
25) Mattresses - Mattresses can be recycled. They're cleaned, sanitized, re-stuffed and resold or donated to charitable organizations and homeless shelters. For a mattress recycler near you do an Internet search, they're all over.
26) Leaves - Use your leaves for compost and mulch.
27) Barbecue propane tanks - When refilling your propane tank, most refillers will use your old tank. If you must get rid of a tank, contact your local natural gas and/or propane supply company as they will take them free of charge, even if they are rusted out and/or leak.
28) Sewing machines - Sewing machines can be recycled anywhere that takes scrap metal.
29) Styrofoam containers - Can be recycled at local recycling centers and or local curbside recycling pickup.
30) Televisions - Old TVs fill landfills and can leak dangerous chemicals harmful to animals and humans. If the TV works, you can sell it or give it to charity. If it does not work, most local recycling centers take them free of charge. If you buy a new TV, most TV retailers will also dispose of the TV free of charge.
31) Fencing - Contact your local recycling center or bulk waste center to learn how to dispose of your old fencing material.
32) Fire extinguishers - Contact your hazardous waste center to learn how to recycle your fire extinguisher.
33) Grass clippings - Use your old grass clippings for mulch and compost. Dried grass can also be used to line certain small animal cages.
34) Aluminum cans. What? People have been using their foreheads to crush cans for recycling for, well, a long time. Surely they know what to do with them after that. (I know YOU do!)
35) Old Toys - Toys for Tots collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
36) Fluorescent Bulbs - Fluorescent light bulbs contain Mercury which is considered hazardous waste. The mercury in bulbs can be used to make new bulbs. Don't throw your bulbs in the trash, contact your local recycling center to ask for their hazardous waste recommendations. Also, many hardware and home improvement stores will accept fluorescent bulbs for recycling.
37) Paper - Paper of all kinds can be recycling including notebook paper, newspapers, food packaging, etc... All recycling centers take paper and most communities now have recycling programs with curb side pick-up for paper.
38) Cardboard boxes - Many local non-profits and will take them for their personal us. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.
39) Shoes - Charities and thrift shops will accept shoes which can still be used. Nike also has a used show program that sends used athletic shows to Africa and Latin America.
40) Toothbrushes and Razors - Plastic ones can be recycled back into plastic or plastic lumber.
41) Scrap Metal - Not only can you recycle it, you can earn from it. Scrap metal from construction projects, home remodeling, demolition, etc...
42) Glass - Recycling glass containers of any type is generally about 33% more efficient than producing it from scratch. This saves energy consumption which reduces carbon emissions.
43) Old Jewelry - Most jewelry can be melted down and refashioned into something new for you. Recycle your jewelry and get a new fashion piece at the same time.
44) Wine Corks - Some flooring companies will take used wine corks and turn them into cork flooring. Help build a house with your old wine corks.
45) Old Christmas Lights - How many times have you pulled out the Christmas lights from last year and they did not work? Instead of throwing them away, recycle them. Some lighting companies will take them.
46) Appliances - Washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators are accepted by local thrift shop or charitable organizations of they still work. If not, take them to your local recycling center. They will tear them apart to recycle the various parts such as the metal.
47) Eyeglasses -Old glasses can be donated to many charitable organizations. If you do not know of any, your eye doctor will also take them and send them to a deserving charity.
48) Phone Books - Most recycling centers will accept phone books. If not, when new phone books are delivered each year, the phone book company will set up recycling areas around the community to take the old phone books. Otherwise contact the closest Project ReDirectory center.
49) Cars - Instead of selling your car or sending it to the junk yard, donate it to a charitable organization. Not only will you keep the car out of the landfill, you will receive a tax deduction as well.
50) Computers- There are a couple of ways to get rid of your old computer. If it still works, you can donate it to someone less fortunate. If it’s a dud, contact your local recycling center or computer retailer to see if they have computer recycling program. There are also several programs online to help you with this, start with ebay’s Rethink Initiative, Earth 911, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition or the International Association of Electronics Recyclers.
51) Washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators - If the appliances still work, donate them to a local thrift shop or organization geared towards helping the underprivileged such as the Salvation Army. If the appliances are no longer in working order, place on your curb on bulk trash pickup day or drive to your local recycling center. Some charity organizations also accept donations of large appliances which they will either refurbish or sell for parts.
52) Bathtubs, toilets and sinks – Many architectural salvaging stores will purchase old bathroom fixtures. Contact your local recycling organization to learn how to drop off used fixtures.
53) Phone Books - If your local recycling center accepts phone books, drop them off there. Otherwise contact the closest Project ReDirectory center. Find your local center with an Internet search or by contacting the company issuing the directories.
54) Cell phones – Cell phones can be recycled so parts can be re-used or the whole phone refurbished. They are also organizations that give them to the underprivileged or those who will need them in case of emergency. For more information about recycling cell phones try Charitable Recycling which recycles items for charity groups, Cell Phones for Soldiers which enables or heroes to call home, or Cell for Cash which offers cash for cell phones, but I didn’t read up on it enough to see how it works.
55) Smoke detectors – Some smoke detectors can be returned to the manufacturer. Check with your manufacturer to see if the recycle your particular model. Some smoke detectors are considered hazardous waste because they contain small traces of Americium 241. If this is the case the manufacturer will recommend they’re disposed of as hazardoous waste.
56) Ink Cartridges – Most places that sell ink and toner cartridges will request you recycle your empty cartridges. Many of them also provide return box and postage.
57) Batteries – If you’re not already using rechargeable batteries, please consider doing so. Most recycling centers will accept batteries, depending on the type. For more about recycling the different types of batteries including cell phone and car batteries, visit Earth 911.
58) Telephones – There are places willing to buy back or accept donations of old telephones. These places refurbish old phones or use the parts and casings for other things. To find out how to dispose of your old telephones, do an Internet search.
59) Magazines – Take these to the recycling center or see if a hospital, senior citizen home or library can use them.
60) Packing foam and peanuts – Many recycling centers accept packing foam and peanuts and even used bubble wrap. Many shipping centers also accept these materials. Call your local shipping center for details.
61) Fluorescent Bulbs – Fluorescent light bulbs contain Mercury which is considered hazardous waste. The mercury in bulbs can be used to make new bulbs. Don’t throw your bulbs in the trash, contact your local recycling center to ask for their hazardous waste recommendations. Also, many hardware and home improvement stores will accept flourescent bulbs for recycling. Some places do charge if you won’t be exchanging it for a new bulb.LampRecycle.org lists businesses and organizations that will recycle these bulbs.
62) Paint - Paint is also considered hazardous waste, never ever dump paint down a drain or sewer. Earth 911 lists many of the ways one can recycle paint or drop off at your local hazardous waste center.
63) PDAs - Personal Digital Assistants can recycled for parts or refurbished. You can contact the manufacturer and ask if they take back old PDAs for recycling. You can also visit Earth 911, Recycle Free and Evironment, Health and Safety Online for more details.
64) Motor Oil - Most auto centes have a receptacle for motor oil dumpage. Please don’t dump motor oil into the sewer, ground or drain or throw in the garbage as it’s harmful to the environment. Besides, it can be cleaned and reused, saving our resources.
65) Cars - Lots of charities will pick up donated cars, even if they don’t run. There are dozens of organizations listed online and your favorite charity is sure to be included. You can also recycle specific parts and metals by dropping your old cars at a scrap yard.
66) Books – If you no longer want your books, first try donating them to hospitals, libraries, senior citizen homes, schools and used book stores. If no one will take the books, they can generally be placed in your weekly recycle pile.
67) Carpets, Rugs, Padding - There are places that will try to recycle used carpets and rugs rather than toss them into landfill. To recycle yours (depending on your area) try checking with the Carpet America Recovery Effort, UGA Carpet Recycling Resource, the California Intergrated Waste Management Board or any other number of organizations geared towards recycling.
68) Plastic Bags – Every supermarket has a bin located at the front for dropping off your plastic bags, even those that are torn. You can also make things from old supermarket plastic bags.
69) Albums and CDs - Bring your old albums and CDs to rare or second hand record shops. You can also reuse your CDs as other things, for instance coasters.
70) Clothing Hangars – First contact your local dry cleaner. Many of them would love to have your old hangers! If not, drop them at your recycle center where the metal can be reused for something else.
71)  Leaves - Use your leaves for compost and mulch.
72) Barbecue propane tanks - There are plenty of places locally that will take your propane tanks. Do an Internet search or contact your propane dealer or recycling center for details.
73) Sewing machines – If sewing machines still work donate them to senior citizen centers, hospitals, thrift shops or organizations catering to the needy. If the machines don’t work, the parts can be recycled anywhere they accept scrap metal.
74) Mattresses - Mattresses can be recycled. They’re cleaned, sanitized, restuffed and resold or donated to charitable organizations and homeless shelters. For a mattress recycler near you do an Internet search, they’re all over.
75) Fencing – Contact your local recycling center or bulk waste center to learn how to dispose of your old fencing material.
76) Fire extinguishers – Contact your hazardous waste center to learn how to recycle your fire extinguisher.
77) Grass clippings - Use your old grass clippings for mulch and compost. Dried grass can also be used to line certain small animal cages.

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