Beyond Paper and Plastic Recycling

Reduce, reuse, recycle - sounds simple right? So simple that recycling bins at home and in the office are becoming a familiar sight, with more people recycling their used paper and plastic bottles. But did you know that you can take your recycling beyond the curb and recycle or reuse just about anything that you put your mind to? All you need to do is think outside the box - and in this case we mean quite literally the recycling box!

What can I recycle besides paper and plastic?

There is a whole world of recycling beyond the paper and plastic frontier and there are hundreds of ways that you can green your recycling:

• Recycling Water- In regards to recycling your water, consider rearranging your plumbing so that rainwater or your wasted water from your shower is used to flush your toilet. This requires a bit of planning, which can be started by reading the Canadian Guidelines for Household Reclaimed Water for Use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing.You can also water your garden with the water left over from your bath or your dishwashing water- only of course if you have used biodegradable soap.

• From dinner scraps, to dinner for your lawn- Think about setting up your own  compost  in your backyard. Composting is one of the easiest and most effective recycling methods. Composting helps eliminate a chunk of your household waste from ending up in landfills where it creates greenhouse gases, and it helps keep your lawn healthy. To create your own composting system, check out http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/udo/paydirt.html to help you get started.

• E-Recycle- In the market for a new laptop or MP3? You can recycle your old electronics and keep them out of the landfill. If your electronics are still inworking condition you can sell or donate them to people or organizations that would gladly welcome them like Computers for Schools or Green Tech International.

You may not want to go so far as turning an old washing machine drum into an ottoman, but you can recycle more than just your ordinary paper and plastic. Put your recycling endeavors into turbo-drive and know that you are helping to reduce waste, lending a green hand to your community as well as the environment, and reaping the benefits of a healthier home.   

Did you like this article?Sign up for our newsletter and get updates sent right to your inbox!