How to become a recycling machine
Kristen De Palma
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Focus
There is a place for all of your unwanted junk, and it does not have to have two handles and be kicked to the curbside at night for collection.
With environmental problems like global warming, endangered species and the ozone layer, it may seem that these are crises out of our hands and there is little effort that an individual can make to preserve the environment. However, reducing consumption and efforts to recycle are some small changes that can make a big difference.
Beyond simply giving your former possessions to a home that is better smelling than the city dump, recycling also conserves valuable natural resources, reduces energy consumption in the manufacturing of goods, creates jobs, prolongs the life of landfills and cuts down on disposal costs.
Landfill sites in Canada account for approximately 38 per cent of Canada's total methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Not to mention, decomposition in landfills takes place very slowly - in an example from the Environment Canada Web site, researchers found a newspaper in a landfill in the U.S. that was over 30 years old, still in readable condition.
Many of the things that you no longer use or want can most likely either be recycled or reused, from shopping bags to vinyl records you have outgrown. Here are some creative ways to recycle, and some craft projects that can turn your trash into treasure.
Things to recycle that you may have never thought of:
- Old eyeglasses. The "Give the Gift of Sight" program collects used eyeglasses, which are then repaired, cleaned and delivered to those in developing countries who would otherwise not be able to afford them. Eyeglass retail stores like Lenscrafters and Sunglass Hut participate. For more information, visit givethegiftofsight.org.
- Packing peanuts. Many businesses will reuse the plastic loose fill used in packaging. Visit loosefillpackaging.com for businesses that participate, or call the Peanut hotline at 1-800-828-2214.
With environmental problems like global warming, endangered species and the ozone layer, it may seem that these are crises out of our hands and there is little effort that an individual can make to preserve the environment. However, reducing consumption and efforts to recycle are some small changes that can make a big difference.
Beyond simply giving your former possessions to a home that is better smelling than the city dump, recycling also conserves valuable natural resources, reduces energy consumption in the manufacturing of goods, creates jobs, prolongs the life of landfills and cuts down on disposal costs.
Landfill sites in Canada account for approximately 38 per cent of Canada's total methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Not to mention, decomposition in landfills takes place very slowly - in an example from the Environment Canada Web site, researchers found a newspaper in a landfill in the U.S. that was over 30 years old, still in readable condition.
Many of the things that you no longer use or want can most likely either be recycled or reused, from shopping bags to vinyl records you have outgrown. Here are some creative ways to recycle, and some craft projects that can turn your trash into treasure.
Things to recycle that you may have never thought of:
- Old eyeglasses. The "Give the Gift of Sight" program collects used eyeglasses, which are then repaired, cleaned and delivered to those in developing countries who would otherwise not be able to afford them. Eyeglass retail stores like Lenscrafters and Sunglass Hut participate. For more information, visit givethegiftofsight.org.
- Packing peanuts. Many businesses will reuse the plastic loose fill used in packaging. Visit loosefillpackaging.com for businesses that participate, or call the Peanut hotline at 1-800-828-2214.
Be the first to comment on this story