A Year of Change
OK. So Damion and I have never been what you consider "green," but we do believe in using our resources to the best of our ability. It was about this time last year that I noticed we were creating so much garbage that we had to take the trash out at least once a day! It just seemd like that was way too much garbage for just 4 people. So, Miranda and decided to do a little project to learn more about recycling.
WIth the help of the LA County Fair and online research, we found out more about what materials were recyclable. Here's a little bit about what we learned: Almost all types of plastic these days are recyclable. If it is possible, the bottle or container will have a mark on the bottom with the three arrows in a triangle as well as a number inside. The numbers range from 1 to 7 and each number is like a code that helps the recycler determine what type of plastic the container is. Of course, tin, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and other materials are all recyclable as well. We also found out that we are very lucky to have a curbside recycling program which takes all kinds of plastics and materials. I know that my parents who live in Texas don't even have curbside recycling and that some recycling programs in our area only take specific materials such as #1 plastics (i.e. water bottles) and aluminum cans. It's best to check with your own area or recycling program to find out what type of materials they will accept.
For one week, we kept track of every container that we were able to recycle. Believe it or not, by the end of the week, we had recycled almost 1,000 items. That included every baby food jar, every plastic bag from the grocery store, every water bottle!! Can you believe that?
Since then, we've kept it up! According to Damion, I've graduated to a "recycling nerd" now (just because I pull out his recyclable garbage from the trash!! :) But, I am so happy to admit that just a few days ago I realized that we are only taking out the garbage about every 3 days now. Yeah! I know it's a small thing, but it makes me happy that we are doing whatever we can to benefit our children's future on this Earth.
Next post: surprising things that you might not know are recyclable!
Have a blessed day! Julie
WIth the help of the LA County Fair and online research, we found out more about what materials were recyclable. Here's a little bit about what we learned: Almost all types of plastic these days are recyclable. If it is possible, the bottle or container will have a mark on the bottom with the three arrows in a triangle as well as a number inside. The numbers range from 1 to 7 and each number is like a code that helps the recycler determine what type of plastic the container is. Of course, tin, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and other materials are all recyclable as well. We also found out that we are very lucky to have a curbside recycling program which takes all kinds of plastics and materials. I know that my parents who live in Texas don't even have curbside recycling and that some recycling programs in our area only take specific materials such as #1 plastics (i.e. water bottles) and aluminum cans. It's best to check with your own area or recycling program to find out what type of materials they will accept.
For one week, we kept track of every container that we were able to recycle. Believe it or not, by the end of the week, we had recycled almost 1,000 items. That included every baby food jar, every plastic bag from the grocery store, every water bottle!! Can you believe that?
Since then, we've kept it up! According to Damion, I've graduated to a "recycling nerd" now (just because I pull out his recyclable garbage from the trash!! :) But, I am so happy to admit that just a few days ago I realized that we are only taking out the garbage about every 3 days now. Yeah! I know it's a small thing, but it makes me happy that we are doing whatever we can to benefit our children's future on this Earth.
Next post: surprising things that you might not know are recyclable!
Have a blessed day! Julie
posted by His Creations Photography at 8:19 AM
2 Comments:
FYI....Did you know that the lids on all those plastic bottles are not recycable? I didnt either...but my friend who works for Avada(makeup) her company is taking all the lids to everything(shampoo, mustard,the pump to hand soap..ect..)they are recycling all lids & using them for the containers for their makeup...Look in to it? Me & all my guys have been turning in the lids for a few months now & so that is another way to help....
Doug and I have been trying to be environmentally conscious as well. We recycle, and have for a while, and we are hoping to get our apartment building to start a compost bin (in Nova Scotia it is now required that every household have a compost bin that is taken like the trash, but to a different "dump"... the cities even provide small and large composting bins). We use fabric grocery bags and we donate/freecycle things all the time. We've also cut down on the pre-packaged foods we buy by making things at home. We're also selling our car and we'll be using our legs, bikes and public transportation to get around the city. We're also planning on using cloth diapers and home-making baby food when we have kids. Most of these things are for the financial benefit, but the environmental benefit is a good thing too! :)
-Shauna
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