Plastic is one of the most convenient materials to use, but it’s also one of the least recycled items on the planet. Plastic is non-biodegradable and virtually indestructible, so the presence of plastic in landfills only add to existing pollution, and these discarded materials can stay there for years and years. And while we can’t stop using plastic altogether because of its multitude of practical uses (plus, an Austrian study by a consultancy called Denkstatt shows that replacing plastic packaging with alternatives would triple the total packaging mass, and would use twice as much energy in producing), we should take measures in helping reduce discarded plastic in landfills all over the world (the Environmental Protection Agency reports that almost 3 trillion plastic bags were used in the US in just 2009-2011).
Recycling and reusing isn’t as difficult as it seems. Developing the habit of doing this would not only benefit the environment, but would help foster a positive attitude about things in general. Here are some tips to help you start getting into the green habit:
Check the packaging. A lot of companies are now very environment-conscious, and have started using packaging made of recycled content. The recycled content and recyclability of the item can also be found on the packaging, so checking before you put anything the shopping cart helps you find better options.
Think ‘reusability’. Resourcefulness is a trait that is not only practical and smart; it can also be good for the environment. You might not realize it now, but there are a lot of everyday things we purchase that can be reused or even repurposed, especially plastic items. From storage to do-it-yourself scour pads, there are a lot of ways to reuse household items. Plus, this environment-friendly practice saves you a lot of money too! Why buy something from the store when you already have what you need at home?
If you don’t need it, don’t use it. Conservation is key. We use a lot of resources in our day-to-day lives, and sometimes we take them for granted. Water and electricity, for example, are essential things in our lives. Turn off the lights and other electric items, and shut off faucets when not in use. In the same way, if you can use alternative items instead of plastic, use them instead. Go shopping with a reusable bag or opt for a paper bag instead of plastic. Think of plastic as an item that should be used only when needed. This way you can reduce the need for plastic items daily.
There are a lot of ways you can help reduce plastic pollution. From choosing plastic alternatives to purchasing items made out of recycled materials (such as plastic garbage bags with 80% recycled content from PlasticPlace.net), you can easily come up with your own environment-conscious practices to suit your lifestyle.
Ever wonder what to do with all those plastic milk, juice and water containers? Vadxx Company is taking non-recyclable plastic and melting it down into a low sulfur crude oil according to CEO Jim Garret in a press release recently. That’s pretty remarkable. Even though we can’t be quite that efficient we can still find creative ways to re-use our plastic bottles too.
Try a few of these ideas or use your creativity and come up with your own.
- Pet ideas. Scoops can be used for dry dog and cat food. They make great clumping litter box scoops, without the lid, clean litter comes through and clumps are left. Ever try to pick up pet messes? A plastic scoop can be pushed under the mess and you have hands free clean up. Use Natures Miracle enzymes for the rest of the clean up.
- Household ideas. These scoops work great for transferring dry potting soil into pots. Refilling your birdseed feeder is a breeze. Fill scoop, hold over top of feeder and carefully open lid to funnel seed into feeder. Use your new handy scoop to pick up dry messes like broken glass, wood chips or nails. Use a scoop (with only the bottom cut out) for a nifty hand held paint pail.
- Kids can help too. Scoops can help kids pick up blocks and small toys. They make great toys for dirt, snow, and bath time. Make sure that the sharp cut edges are covered with tape or filed down (use a nail file) before letting your child use them. Scoops also make a great ‘catch’ game for kids; just add a ball that fits inside the scoop.
- Toilet water saver. Fill plastic jug with water. When toilet tank is empty place filled plastic bottle into tank. The bottle will take up water space but still leave enough water to flush the toilet. This little trick will save you money and help conserve water.
- Garden containers. Give your seedlings a great start by growing them in a recycled plastic pot. Cut off top, including handle and use the bottom for planting.
- Easy funnel. This idea can use any type of plastic bottle. Just cut off the bottom and remove the lid. The perfect funnel. Try one the next time you need to re-fill your car’s oil or antifreeze. Please use pet safe antifreeze.
Here are a few more recycling ideas for plastic containers.
- Toilet water saver. Fill plastic jug with water. When toilet tank is empty place filled plastic bottle into tank. The bottle will take up water space but still leave enough water to flush the toilet. This little trick will save you money and help conserve water.
- Garden containers. Give your seedlings a great start by growing them in a recycled plastic pot. Cut off top, including handle and use the bottom for planting.
- Easy funnel. This idea can use any type of plastic bottle. Just cut off the bottom and remove the lid. The perfect funnel. Try one the next time you need to re-fill your car’s oil or antifreeze. Please use pet safe antifreeze.
Instructions for a traditional milk bottle scoop: using a knife make a small slit at the bottom of the bottle. Cut out bottom, carefully, with scissors. Cut an upside down ‘U’ shape (see black line on scoop picture above) staring from the handle side to the bottom to make open part of scoop. Don’t forget to keep the lid too.
Remember to recycle your projects when you are no longer using them.
Amy is a freelance writer most notable for her work with Rubbermaid Commercial, an online distributor specializing in Rubbermaid utility carts and microfiber cleaning supplies.
When we hear the word ‘recycle’, we tend to think about the huge picture: collecting and sorting discarded plastics and other materials and depositing them at the curb to be picked up by recycling facilities so these can be used to create new products. While this is a process we’re not directly part of, recycling is actually something we can do in our daily lives. ‘Recycling’ is the process of taking used materials and making them into new products, thus reducing the consumption of virgin raw materials and resources, and minimizing pollution. Plastic products are pretty much the easiest things to recycle, and with plastic bags being used with pretty much everything every day, it’d be silly not to even think about recycling them. Here are a few handy and even fun ideas on how to recycle and remake used plastic bags into new things and for new uses:
- Trash can liners – This is the easiest way to recycle plastic bags. By reusing these bags as trash can liners, you don’t only help lessen plastic pollutions in landfills and bodies of water; you also manage to cut down on household costs. You can take care of the trash without having to buy new plastic garbage bags.
- Dropcloths and covers – You could pull up old sheets of plastic and even garbage bags to use as dropcloths when painting or renovating to avoid damage to the floor, the furniture, and other items. You could also repurpose old plastic bags to cover your barbecue grill or any other item that needs to go to storage to keep the dust and pests away.
- Craft ‘new’ household items – You can use used plastic and garbage bags in an assortment of craft projects and other items. Strips of the bags can be coiled, knitted, pleated, or even stitched into baskets, rugs, and mats. You can even fashion a small bit of knitted plastic into a durable and effective scouring pad for cleaning around the house.
Of course, when recycling plastic items, you must remember to properly clean the used products beforehand. You could also choose to use plastic products made of recycled content. Plastic Place offers a special line of plastic garbage bags that are not only sturdy and lightweight, but are designed with an anti-microbial protection called Microban® to fight germs, odors, mold, and mildew. This anti-microbial guard is designed never to wear off, and thus recycling Plastic Place garbage bags is easier and more sanitary.
You can explore even more plastic bag recycling options available, or maybe come up with your own! You’ll not only help lessen the massive amount of plastic pollution, but you’ll also have inexpensive yet effective alternatives for other everyday items.
The way we live these days is making it difficult for the environment to be healthy and in the longer term it’s going to impact our ability to survive. We have become strange creatures, who buy more than we need, don’t even get the full use out of our products, and then throw them away and buy new ones. As a result, our world is filling up with our garbage. One of the best things you can do for the environment and hence yourself, is to squeeze every bit of use you can out of your items. The following seven things are great items to ensure make it around the block a few times.
They really can last quite a long time! Whatever you initially got the paper bag for, whether it was buying mushrooms or stationary, take your bags with you next time you go shopping and reuse your bag, rather than getting a fresh one every time. You could even use recyclable green bags to save money!
Shopping
Think about it, getting plastic bags every time you get your groceries is kind of a mindless thing to do. Even if you then use those plastic bags for garbage at home, there are always way more of them than you can use. Get yourself a reusable cloth shopping bag or two and take them with you when you shop. Regular plastic bags take a long time to decompose, so save the earth will appreciate having a few less to deal with.
Glass Jars
Glass is an amazing invention as it lasts a really long time, and glass jars are one of the most reusable items in our households. Keep your jars and use them to store leftovers, as a great place to keep dry foods away from critters, or even to use as cups.
Clothes
You can look good without buying your clothes new, and in fact if you don’t just want to look like everyone else, getting your clothes second hand is the way to do it. Create your own style by digging up that awesome dress or jacket, save money and have more fun doing your clothes shopping.
Furniture
Another thing our landfills are full of is furniture, most of it in great condition. Don’t be fooled by marketing and advertisements telling you need new furniture when you don’t. If it’s a change of look you are after, you will have far more choice of styles with second hand furniture anyway.
Books
This seems obvious but some people still don’t get it, you don’t need a book to be new in order to be able to read it. Even if you absolutely can’t find a book that is totally necessary for you to read, go to the library and get them to order it in for you. Otherwise, buy second hand books.
Coffee Cups
Disposable coffee cups are an environmental disaster, unless you are lucky enough to find a place that has biodegradable ones. Make an investment and get yourself a reusable coffee mug, otherwise, keep your disposable coffee cup, rinse it out and get a few extra uses out of it.
Reusing and recycling is just a smart thing to do. There is only so much room on the planet for our endlessly accumulating stuff. Make sure your grandkids aren’t suffocating in your garbage, reuse and recycle.
It is well known that our society is becoming increasingly interested in saving the environment, and this is undoubtedly a good thing. What is not so well known, however, is that there are many ways in which we can incorporate environmentally friendly elements into our home. For instance, one basic way that you can go green in your home is to buy organic food from the local farmers markets, or buy all natural alternatives of your favorite cleaning products. You may even want to consider investing in solar panels to provide heat and energy. A less common - but no less effective - way to go green is to decorate your home with stylish, yet earth-friendly furniture. Environmentally friendly furniture can help bring the beauty of nature into your home with eye-catching designs, while it simultaneously protects the environment outside by negating the requirement for more logging and mining.
Most prized pieces of furniture are made from some sort of wood. Unfortunately, lots of non-green wood furniture is the end result of clear-cuts in forests. This means that the trees - and the ecosystems they support - are felled in every direction, leaving a moonscape-like scene of bareness in their wake in which only tree stumps and scavenging animals remain. By using recycled wood in furniture, we are able to reduce the amount of clear cutting that is completed and work towards saving the environment for future generations. It is worth mentioning that there are some forests which receive only sustainable forestry practices. In these situations, people take into consideration the vegetation as well as the animals before doing any cutting, and when this is done, oftentimes only some of the trees are felled to spare the broader ecosystem and give it a chance to rejuvenate in the near future. However, recycled wood is still more ecologically responsible than sustainable forestry wood. Recycled wood comes from old barns and other places where the wood is no longer being used. This wood is then taken and made into beautiful pieces of furniture for the home.
So what type of amazingly beautiful furniture can be made from recycled wood? Anything you can imagine. You can purchase anything from a modern-looking bed frame to a casual dining room table; today, there are a multitude of brilliant designers that only work with earth-friendly materials. This burgeoning eco-furniture industry has become so popular that many mainstream furniture companies are taking notice and putting out recycled or sustainably forested pieces.
Now, you may be worrying that earth-friendly furniture won’t have the high level of comfort you desire. Nothing could be further from the truth! By choosing furniture designed with natural fibers, you will be able to find amazingly comfortable sofas and chairs. Natural fibers are not like synthetic fabrics, which can contain harsh toxins. Some examples of natural fibers include hemp and cotton. Soft and comfortable fibers are great for beautiful chair cushions; these can come from wool, cashmere and alpaca. If you want a luxurious look for your living room, try silk made from the secretions of a silkworm larvae. By using natural fibers, we can bring the beauty from the world around us inside in the form of a favorite, comfortable chair.
Many people think that earth-friendly furniture is boring and plain. This, too, is totally untrue! Most furniture that is made with recycled materials is bright and beautiful, reflecting all of the sharp angles of modern design. Best of all, in all-natural furniture, these beautiful colors come from non-toxic dyes, meaning you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals seeping into your skin every time you sit down for a rest.
Recycled glass and other materials, for their part, can make beautiful accent pieces for your earth-friendly home. Want an earth-friendly lamp? You can make one by creating a shade from glass bottles. Need a few accent pieces? Take recycled plastic containers and sculpt them into artistic pieces all your own. You can even spice them up by adding flowers or stones. Another great home accent is live plants; plants can help remove impurities from the air and produce fresh air in return.
If there is one thing you should take away from this article, it's that you can still have beautiful and stylish furniture while going green. Choosing furniture made with natural materials allows you to incorporate the beauty of nature into your home living space. So, allow your creative juices to flow and design a space that is naturally yours!
