Lately, everyone has been aware of the semi-recent problems of pollution and too much waste. I have recently found some very simple and easy ways that everyone can help. No excuses!
I live with my family of 6, and having 6 people in one house means a lot of waste, but we have found simple ways to save! We realized we were throwing away more than 3 garbage bags full of trash each day! Now, we usually use less than one each day. We are very proud of our accomplishment.
How did we do it? 7 Letters: R-E-C-Y-C-L-E! Everyone can! I always used to think "Well, I can't recycle. I'm not old enough. It's too hard!" But in earnest, I didn't know how. It's simpler than I thought!
For this recycling project, you need:
*4 Medium-Sized Bags/Reusable Plastic Totes/Carboard Boxes
*1 Small-Sized Bag( a grocery bag will do)/Reusable Plastic Tote/Cardboard Box
Keep them in your garage, sunroom, closet, bedroom, storage closet, basement or laundry room - anywhere with extra space.
Then, make some labels. Have them say "Paper and Cardboard", "Glass", "Plastic", "Aluminum", and on the small one, "Batteries". Each time you are about to throw something away, check for a recycle sign on the bottom or ask yourself "Could I possibly use this again?". Here is a list of a few everyday items that are recyclable:
*Milk Jugs
*Yogurt Containers
*Plastic Soda Bottles
*Aluminum Soda Cans
*Batteries
*Cereal Boxes
*Any Paper or Paper Wrappers
*Jelly Jars
*Peanut Butter Jars
*The Bag that Bread Comes in
*Cardboard oatmeal containers
*Any Cardboard Boxes
*Any Glass or plastic Jars
*Most cans (Check the bottom!)
* ALL Paper
You can recycle so many things! Imagine if everyone recycled. Then all that junk wouldn't be sitting in an underground landfill for 1,00 years, taking up space on our precious earth, it would make completely new things!
In some neighborhoods, people come to pick up the recycling from your house, but in some places (like where I live), you have to drive them to a place where they take them and drop them off. Ask your parents if they are willing to drop off recycling once a month. If they are, great! If not, try to change their minds. Explain how important it is to you and how much recycling can help the earth. If they're still unwilling, you can always ask friends and neighbors.
My December policy is "Never throw anything away that you can possibly use again away!" You would be amazed at how much you can do. I make Christmas gifts with recycled things. If you want, you can even get another bag box or tote and call it your "Odds and Ends" box. Put all reusable items in it, and when it nears Christmas, make something creative for all your family members! Save stuff you would normally throw away: Burnt out light bulbs, buttons, rocks, nails, screws, old light switch covers, etc. Like I said before; You'd be surprised! Recycle! Thanks for reading!
--Kaela1221
