Think about the last few items you’ve bought recently, either for your home or place of work. How were they packaged? How can they be disposed of once you’ve finished with them? These may be questions that you’ve asked yourself each time you’re about to go to the checkout either at the online store or physical shop, and they may help you to decide whether you really need something, or how sustainable a product may be.
While plenty of us recycle, there are many different ways we can still do our bit for planet’s resources. So what can you do to improve your recycling? Here are some hints and tips for you which, if you’re not already carrying them out, will help boost your recycling efforts:
Know what you can recycle (and what you can’t)
Make sure you know what the recycling rules are for your area, and that you don’t send any items that can’t be processed. Each place will have different guidelines for you to follow, so do what you can to stick to these as much as possible.
Buy recycled items
Recycling is about the cyclical movement of materials through a system which eradicates waste and the requirement of using more virgin materials. So you’re supporting this by recycling and using recycled items. You may find high levels of recycled content in products, such as office chairs and printer paper.
Anticipate recycling
Look out for recyclable goods, as well as those that have been recycled. Think about how you can reuse packaging for a product, for instance, return it to the store for reuse, or even recycle it. Electronic items are likely to wear out or run down over time so go for models that can be upgraded or used for parts so the whole product doesn’t have to be disposed of if one part fails.
You may even consider using 14 gauge steel wire in the workplace to put together items you have recycled, for instance, enabling you to package them tightly and safely. These bundles can then be transported or stored.
Think about your bins
Having large trash cans but small recycling ones won’t help. Therefore, making sure that you have the correct-sized bins will encourage others around you to do the right thing, based on the amount of recycling and waste that you produce. Putting bins in the most convenient areas will also help. For example, recycling bins for your cans and bottles should be in the pantry, and a composting pail placed next to a coffee machine so the grounds can be put in there rather than the waste bin.
Reuse items before you recycle
Recycling is great but, although this is necessary, it doesn’t mean no energy is being used. You may not find a purpose for some items that you currently have, but there are still various things you can do with them. You could find a great many items that you can make out of these products, for instance.
