Archive for September, 2009

Easy Recycling ideas

I am speaking tonight at my children’s school PTO meeting about some alternative recycling initiatives we have implemented.  I am always on the prowl for easy green things I can incorporate in to my routine and it’s occurred to me that even if you dont’ belong to a PTO or non profit, you can help with this.   Most of us are aware that paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass can be recycled and in Metro Nashville some of that is picked up directly from your home through Curby.  Otherwise, there are many easy drop off sites through out town that will accept the glass and aluminum.

However, there are also some really cool programs that recycle items which would otherwise end up in a land fill and they donate money to schools or non profits who collect them.  The first one is printer cartridges.  They are completely recyclable (both ink jet and laser) and Cartridge World will pay schools to collect them.   If you have a student in school, it takes about 5 minutes to get connected with Cartridge World and they will provide the bin at the school and do all the picking up.  If you do not have a student in school find out if your neighborhood school has one, they will gladly take your cartridges as they get between .70 and $1.50 per cartridge.  They make a little money and you are helping both the school and the environment.

The other program Terracycle.  This too is a really exciting program.  They upcycle yogurt containers, juice packets, energy bar wrappers, plastic milk bottles, etc.   Like the ink cartridge program, it’s easy to sign your school up or if you want to support a school or charity,  call and find out if they have the program.  They receive .2 an item which can add up and many of these items are not taken in Davdson county recycling program.

I love these programs because they are a win win for the environment and for the non profits collecting for them and it’s a unique way for you to help a community school or organization and the environment without much time commitment.   Innovative programs like these are popping up all over the country and supporting them is easy and rewarding.