Recycling A to Z

Contributed by Catherine Vierthaler, Director of Finance, Green Builder Media

Do you recycle? If there is a recycling program in your community, you probably recycle paper, glass, aluminum and some plastics. But, did you know you can recycle so much more?

Appliances are full of nasty chemicals and valuable materials. By recycling your old washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove or other appliance you reduce landfill waste and the release of CFCs, mercury, copper and lead into the environment. Materials like steel and certain plastics that can be reclaimed and recycled. If you are purchasing a replacement, check with the store to see if they will haul away your old appliance and recycle it (make sure they are recycling, not hauling to the landfill). Charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will take your working appliance, refurbish it and either resell it or donate it to someone who needs it. Many counties or municipalities have appliance recycling programs as well.

You runners out there probably replace your running shoes every 3 to 6 months. Have you been wondering what to do with your closet full of old shoes? Well, Nike has a solution with their Re-Use-A-Shoe program. Your old athletic shoes might become part of court or playground surface, or a new pair of shoes.

Planning a wedding? Go green save yourself some money, and precious resources. Check out www.Recycledbride.com for everything from used (and even previously owned but unused) dresses, accessories and decorations. Haven’t gotten the rings yet? Shop http://www.leberjeweler.com/index.php3 for rings made from reclaimed metals and gemstones to reduce the impact of environmentally damaging mining and socially damaging conflict gems and gold.

And Z? Ziploc bags are now recyclable. They’ve always been reusable, but now they can be recycled with plastic shopping bags at supermarket recycling bins. Target, Lowe’s and Whole Foods Markets have in-store recycling centers for everything from household batteries to electronics as well as the usual plastic, paper and glass. I’m glad to see corporate America stepping up to make it easy to recycle.

I’m amazed at the number of products and materials that are now being recycled. Just do a web search for “recycle [enter product]” and see what comes up. I found recycling websites for asphalt, bicycles, cell phones, diamonds, eyeglasses and practically everything else.

If there is no recycling program in your community, you may want to start one. Check out this article for ideas.