Easy Ways To Recycle

Getting into the recycling habit can be troublesome. Many people dread having to do "extra work." It doesn't have to be a hassle. With a positive attifude, motivating yourself to make the change can render many benefits long term.

Aluminum Cans

One of the easiest ways to jump into a typical recycling behavior is to begin to collect your cans. As a society, we consume and go through tons and tons of these cans, and giving them back to the process is a great way to make sure that it doesn't end up in the landfill.

Being realistic, you do need storage room to do this. But, if you rinse your cans as soon as they are empty, and squash them on the spot, you will be suprised at the very small space they take up. Keeping these in the backyard, a storage shed, or in a closet can be easier than you think. These can also be turned in for money. Some states pay more than others, but even in states that do not pay alot, a little is better than nothing. There are articles about how over the course of 3 to 5 years, can collectors contribute to community building projects with all of their earnings, and all sorts of projects from can profit.

Plastic or Canvas?

The next way to incorporate recycling into your lifestyle is to replace plasic bags with cloth ones. These need to be tossed into the laundry every now and then to keep them sanitary, but they last a long time and you do not have to purchase ones specifically for grocery shopping. Many people have old bags on hand for the beach, bookbags, or gym bags, that work just the same way.

If you do not like the idea of canvas bags, you can collect your plastic bags. Collecting plastic bags can contribute to a frugal lifestyle because they are free. You can use them to wrap meat in the freezer, cover your shoes in the rain or snow, and tons of other things. Check the link section for ideas.

Remember, eliminating your use of plastic bags is alot better for the environment. A lot of grocery stores have turn in bins so you can take your plastic bags back to the store so they can be recycled.

Start a Compost Heap

Alright, it's true, you would need space to do this. You would also need a large 55 gallon drum, or trash can, or some sort of container. But the health benefits to soil enriched with compost is worth it for your home garden, your grass, and your flowers. Its a good way to give back to the earth.

If you don't have the space or means to start a composte heap, you can reduce your waste by buying less food in packaging, and reusing certain packing. For example, whipped cream tubs, sour cream, and butter tubs make great containers. Certain ice cream containers, oatmeal boxes, and all sorts of products can be used to store food or other things around the house. You can store nails, tacks, painting supplies, recipe cards, things for babycare...any number of your personal needs around the house.

Old Clothing

When you no longer fit good clothing, it doesn't mean these peices of your wardrobe should go into the trash. Clothing can be donated to thrift stores, or sold in a yard sale, or even free cycled. Free cycling is an easy way to pass on items to other people who can enjoy them just like you did, instead of the items ending up tossed in the garbage. This is also a great way to help people, and find things you may need in the process. Check the links section for more information.

If your old clothes are pretty worn, consider cutting old t-shirts and even blue jeans into scraps to clean the dishes, or wash the car. You can wash these, and get a lot of use out of them, and is a low budget, cost saving, green friendly way not to buy washclothes or dish towels.

Go one step farther and make a quilt. Recycle your old fabrics into a one of a kind keepsake. Donate interesting fabrics to other people that are experienced quilt makers!