Keeping garbage out of landfills and incinerators is not that hard to do if we recycle or reuse our waste instead. Many communities offer local recycling programs, yet do not necessarily take all items. Reusable waste products not accepted through your local recycling center or pick-up service may require additional effort to dispose of properly. Two common reusable waste items that sometimes require different recycling methods are glass and mulch.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- Large storage containers
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1
Contact your community recycling center for a list of items they accept. To find your local center, check the telephone book government pages or yellow pages under recycling or waste disposal. Most towns and cities post recycling information and links on their websites.
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2
Collect used glass in large bins or garbage cans. Separate bottles and jars by color: clear, brown and green. Bring these to your local recycling center or set them out for pick up. Broken dishes, drinking glasses and window glass is usually not recyclable.
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3
Dispose of dishes, and broken shards of window glass carefully in your regular garbage. Large pieces of window glass have value to craftsmen. Post these on Craigslist as a freebie or other recycling websites. Wine and beer bottles not accepted at some recycling centers may be of interest to home brewers. Try posting them on a free listing site.
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4
Store natural mulch items such as grass, leaves and sticks in bins or leaf bags. If your community does not offer seasonal pick-up service, some rural areas accept these items at the local waste disposal site or dump. Mulch is usually kept in a separate location and reused.
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5
Put aside as much mulch as you can for your own landscaping and gardening needs. Grass clippings can be placed around ornamental shrubs and bushes. Leaves decompose faster if shredded in a leaf chopper, then stored and used as garden compost after a year or two.
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6
Post excess mulch on free internet listing sites such as Craigslist or Freecycle. Many people will gladly travel to your property to pick up this valuable commodity for their gardens. Make sure to indicate if grass clippings are organic or chemically treated and warn of any possible infestations with weeds or invasive insects.
Tips and warnings
- Fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs should never been thrown away in the trash. Contact your township or local government for specific disposal information, as these items contain mercury.
