Posts Tagged ‘recycling’

Recycling has been proven to be the one of the trendiest thing that is currently happening in the world. But not much has been spread about to make a drastic move towards a green environment. In this way, it is best to think of ways on how be part of the solution and not the problem.

Here comes recycling quotes. There are some websites that are offering free recycling quotes for every item that you do have that you already have used and would want to dispose of them the greener way.

Before you even start to go and seek for recycling quotes or rewards, it is best that you must check what items within your house that are recyclable that will qualify you to the next level.

To give you an idea, read on the following information about recyclable items:

1. Newspaper

If you are a newspaper subscriber and get news daily, then you must collect all your newspaper and put them in 1 box. This one is number candidate to be recycled.

2. Plastic

It takes at least 100 years or even more in order to totally dispose or eliminate plastic bottle in the fill. Imagine, how many plastic bottles are we contributing to the land fill every single day. Collect each plastic bottle and everything that are made out of disposable project, they too can be recycled.

3. Electronics

One of the most harmful junk that we put into the landfill are the electronics stuff. If we only know how to dispose them properly, there will be no toxic chemicals swimming around into the ocean. Electronics can be recycled too by giving them to people who can make use of such item.

4. Metal

Yes, this is one recyclable material can be converted into another useful stuff of which you can imagine. This is one of the most expensive recyclable items. The more you collect metals, the more money or rewards you will be getting.

Recycling helps to save forests from depleting, increases the quality of our water and stimulates the economy. For those reasons and many more it is important that everyone does what they can to ensure that they are doing their bit for mother earth. Following is an explanation of how you can get started with recycling and give something back as well as improve your quality of your life and the quality of life for your children and your children’s children. Many people say that they don’t do their bit towards recycling because their effort on their own is not enough to make a difference, however this is simply not true. If everyone had that attitude, where would be?

Organize Your Waste

Rather than sticking your rubbish into one central place, it is important that you categorize waste in order to recycle it. You should place glass in one place, tins/cans in one place, plastics in one place, compost in one place and have another place for cardboard and paper/newspaper.

Find out about Recycling Facilities Where you Live

You should find out about the facilities available in your county. Depending on where you live, you may find it is harder or easier to recycle your waste. Some places will have a dedicated pick-up to come and take your waste away, while other areas will require that you drive a substantial distance in order to drop it off. Either way, it is important that you do your bit for society.

Recycling Tins/Cans

When recycling tins and cans you should firstly remove all the paper from the outside and try to flatten any sharp edges to limit any risk of you being cut. You should then place all tins and cans in a dedicated waste bin.

Plastic

Plastic wrappings and other plastic items should be treated with caution when recycling them. It is best if you take measures to stop any animals being hurt from plastic items. This includes breaking open drinks-cans rings so that an animal cannot get their head trapped in it, as well as ripping open plastic bags so they are just in the form of a single sheet.

Compost

Compost should be used to enrich your soil in your garden. Many people have a compost heap in their garden. Once you have left the compost for a period of a few weeks, it is now ready to treat the soil in your garden. If you do not have a large garden then you could consider asking your neighbors, friends and family members if they could make use of it.

Paper/Newspaper

Paper and newspaper is generally the easiest item to recycle because it is the most sought after item. After you read your old newspapers and magazines you should place them inside a dedicated container so that they can later be recycled. You should be especially careful not to place any other items into this container as it will cause problems for the recycler later on.

It is true that paper, metal, wood or plastic are definitely the first items that come to one’s mind when talking about recycling, but there are other items, just as numerous that could be re-used in the most profitable and environment-friendly of ways. One clear case here refers to the ways we can recycle fabrics. Have you been wondering about what to do with those old t-shirts or blouses you no longer use? Well there are a few tips about how to recycle fabrics and thus contribute to the international effort of finally cleaning the waste on this planet. If they cannot be sold in charity shops there are other ways to reuse and recycle fabrics.

T-shirts could make excellent material for the creation of funny bags; there are even cases when people have used such apparel items to create bathmats or even flares. Another unique way to recycle fabrics of the kind is by cutting them into strips and weaving or knitting them in very trendy rugs to be used in certain house corners. Furthermore, you can even find tips about how to make memory quilts out of old t-shirts you purchased at special occasions. Creativity is definitely one of the strong points required in the effort to recycle fabrics.

Let’s take another relevant example of how you can recycle fabrics from drapes or curtains. At a certain point you will definitely want to change the house decorations and will find yourself in the situation of having too much unused material. There are plenty of ways to recycle fabrics from drapes or curtains: depending on how thick the texture really is, you could actually re-use them for upholstery items. If you cannot recycle the material on your own, you can turn to people who actually do it for a living, as part of small home-businesses.

Exquisite pillow casings can be made out of the recycle fabrics you have got around the house; all you need to do is show a little dexterity. Or you may choose to have someone else help you with the project; keep in mind the fact that reusing such material has become so popular that even fashion designers have taken up the practice. There are even companies that collect used clothes: all you have to do is clean and bag your recycle fabrics and drop them at a special collecting agency. Such actions are supported by local governments who allocate funds so that the recycling be carried on in the most adequate of conditions.

Experts estimate that almost 350 million cartridges end up in landfills each year. These include laser toner cartridges as well as others. This staggering number has an adverse effect on the environment, as well as, the economics of the situation of buying cartridges.

Recycling is a Good Idea

Surveys conducted suggest that almost ninety percent of cartridges are thrown into the trash after the ink gets over. Moreover the quantity of cartridges that are ending up in landfills is increasing at the rate of ten percent every year. This is owing to the increasing use of printers for documentation purposes. Also, with regards to production, laser toner cartridges require almost ¾ of a gallon to be manufactured. Most discarded cartridges have some remnants of printer ink cartridges that can easily seep into the ground causing widespread soil damage.

As can be imagined these pointers will have a disastrous effect on the environment and thus every effort should be made to recycle cartridges in one way or the other. For all the reasons listed above recycling inkjet and laser toners, seems like such a good idea.

Economic Benefits to Recycling

Apart from the all the environmental benefits, there are various economic benefits associated with recycling inkjet cartridges. The biggest benefits will be in terms of prices. Take the scenario, wherein, a minimal amount of ink cartridges are being thrown away, while a majority of them are being recycled. The prices of cartridges will definitely go down. If consumers recycle or reuse their laser toner cartridges or any other cartridges then they will definitely derive a long term benefit from it.

Lots of Options

As a consumer if you are exploring options of recycling inkjet or laser cartridges and do not want to throw them away, then you have the option of getting them refilled through the mail. Also, many local office stores also have a refilling facility available; you can also deposit the cartridges that you want to send in for recycling. Many a times, you might be offered a few schemes that are usually being promoted by various companies who offer you something in exchange for your inkjet or laser toner cartridges.

Importance of the Process

After reading this article, you must have understood the importance of recycling inkjet as well as any other type of cartridge. The great thing is that you will be doing a service to the environment if you do so and the fact of the matter is that there are numerous alternatives that are available before you even think about throwing away your cartridges. There will always be somebody out there who will be willing to accept your cartridges and get them refilled for you or recycled for you. The importance of this process cannot be denied.

If everyone in the UK recycles just one Christmas card with the Woodland Trust this year, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity will be able to plant 15,000 trees.

So imagine how many trees the charity could plant if everyone recycles all their cards in the special bins at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer, stores, throughout January. The cards are recycled which generates money, which the Woodland Trust uses to create new woods in the UK.

Samia Smith from Coronation Street launches Christmas card recycling scheme

Samia Smith, who plays Maria Connor in Coronation Street

“Over one billion Christmas cards will be sent this year, which is a huge amount! If everyone recycled just one card it would help the Woodland Trust plant 15,000 trees, so remember to support the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme and take your cards to WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx or Marks and Spencer stores to be recycled. Log onto www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards for more information.”

The public’s efforts last year helped collect 73.6 million cards, bringing the Christmas Card eco friendly Recycling Scheme’s 12 year total to 600 million cards recycled. This has enabled the Woodland Trust to plant 141,000 trees, save 12,000 tonnes of paper from going to landfill, and stop 16,000 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking more than 5,0002, cars off the road for a year.

The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 12% woodland compared to 44% on the continent.

Of this only 4% is wildlife friendly broadleaf woodland where some of the country’s most endangered species live. The Woodland Trust’s primary aim is to double this native woodland and increase these vital habitats.

Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said:

“A world without trees would be a pretty desolate place. By recycling just one card each this year at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer stores throughout January, you can help us plant thousands of trees and move one step closer to achieving our vision of doubling native woodland in the UK.

“I would like to ask as many people as possible to recycle their Christmas cards with the Woodland Trust, as the more woodland you help us plant, the more vital habitats we can create where endangered species such as dormice, red squirrels and the magnificent Red Kite can thrive. Woodlands are also beautiful outdoor playgrounds, enjoyed by people of all ages throughout their lives.”

The Woodland Trust was established in 1972 and now owns more than 1,000 woods throughout the UK, which are open free for all to enjoy.

Visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards for further information.

Indesit has become the first company to successfully incorporate recycled content derived from the UK waste stream within white goods on a large scale. The project delivers substantial savings in raw materials and costs.

Indesit, in collaboration with WRAP and Axion Recycling, spent many months investigating the potential to extract plastic materials from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and recycle them for use in the manufacture of new products.

The project has enabled Indesit to introduce a new cover plate on two premium washing machine models – Hotpoint Aquarius and Ultima. The plate uses 100 per cent recycled content, sourced from UK WEEE, representing a step change in UK manufacturing. WRAP now plans to work with other companies to further explore the benefits of this innovative approach.

The material has been produced using shredded plastic waste recovered from domestic fridges, and made into a high grade polymer that has a similar weight to the virgin plastic it is replacing. As a result, the CO2 emissions, cumulative cost and raw material savings from this activity are significant.

The results of the project coincide with the launch of new research from WRAP, which reveals that many consumers would favour an electronic product containing recycled content at point of purchase, if price, functionality and reliability were equal to a substitute item. This collaboration project demonstrates the technical feasibility of closed-loop recycling in electronic products – and the economic and environmental benefits of the approach.

Peter Maddox, Head of Manufacturing at WRAP said:

“This groundbreaking project has demonstrated that closed-loop recycling in electrical equipment from UK WEEE is commercially viable on a large scale for the first time, with no negative effect on performance. We encourage other manufacturers to follow this example.

“Our recent research has also demonstrated that some consumers are willing to buy products that contain some recycled content over those that do not – further strengthening the business argument for this approach.”

Mike Birch, Environment Manager at Indesit Company, commented:

“Having successfully completed the trial, we now plan to roll out the innovation to a range of our washing machines and washer dryers that are produced each year. The cumulative cost and raw material savings will be significant. For us the improved price was an enabler to help deliver a project with environmental benefits – we felt it was the right thing to do.

“We are now considering how further environmental improvements and savings can be made by using recycled content within other components and parts, throughout our manufacturing operation.”

Companies that are interested in realising valuable business benefits by working with WRAP on similar projects should visit the website http://www.wrap.org.uk/manufacturing

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WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.
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Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
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More information on all of WRAP’s programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk

Visit Green Rewards eco friendly shop to read more about green charities and projects.

The bad effects of air pollution can be experienced by the climate now-a-days, the entire weather cycle has distorted to a great extent. Our earth has become hotter than before and the weather has become truly uncomfortable and contaminated, all this has led to global warming which is a big reason to worry. Air pollution is due to harmful and toxic fumes released from factories, burning wastes and plastics, smoke from vehicles and also forest fire that pollute and destroy the air to a huge amount and for all this we will have to pay back in future. Anyhow all this can be controlled to a great level through recycling. Recycling means to process used and worn out products or machinery or apparatus into new products or machines so as to avoid wastage of items that are greatly valuable to us. By this manner the air is not polluted and aids us to save our earth and making it greener and newer. It is surprising that also computers can be recycled to make earth greener and a better place to live in. Actually computers are comfortable to handle and are very valuable to us and our kids. But when they are on the edge of breaking down, it produces a chaos and inturn your life becomes a total mess by getting it fixed and paying a great sum by changing its parts. So why not recycle it? Sounds unfeasible, but you can do that. The components and parts of the computer can not be just deserted away as they contain toxic chemicals, carcinogens and hard metal that make it work efficiently, but these are greatly harmful if let free in the air, you can not dispose these, but you can recycle your computers. You have to do this wisely and accurately so that it does not influence the atmosphere. These electronic wastes from highly advanced countries is exported to undeveloped countries where these useless components are developed to form a better and latest items and electronic goods, or are fitted into other equipment where these unwanted electronic components work successfully. In this manner the computer is recycled without disrupting the atmosphere. A well-known recycler should be able to make you aware as to how the information stored in the computer can be erased. You also have to format your hard disk before processing it for some other purpose as the private or the confidential data can be revealed to others. Hence you must clear all the vital data and the information fed in your computer before recycling it. Recycling of your computer is much superior than destroying it as it considerably reduces the dangerous effects caused to the climate otherwise. You can take great help from the recycling companies that aid you process your computer effortlessly. These types of organizations accept computers, laptops, printers, fax machines and all other parts of the computer. These companies either get the computers processed through others or may pack it off to different countries, but the handling and transporting need to be done cautiously. Anyhow, in the present electronic world we can\’t do without electrical goods and computers for that reason these have become an utmost necessity, so you need to contribute to a livelier planet, simply don\’t ignore your unwanted computer, get it recycled.

If you want to teach your kids the value of recycling, it would help a lot if you give them some hands-on experience. Learning first-hand just how important recycling is and what they can do with materials that are considered by some as trash will give your kids a greater appreciation for recycling.

A few simple crafts can get your kids started on recycling. Here are some recycling projects for kids that your children may enjoy working on.

1. A letter holder from old CDs and packaging foam

One good recycling project for kids is making a letter holder from old data CDs and foam. Old data CDs are hard to dispose sometimes, and so is packaging foam.

To make a letter holder from these materials, you would need the following:

• Four old data CDs

• Packaging foam

• Scraps of decorative cloth, art paper or pages from a glossy magazine

• Glue

• Other decorative items like beads, silk flowers or glitter

To do this recycling project for kids, glue two CDs together to make them a pair. Decorate these CDs with your choice of decorative cloth, art paper or magazine pages, and then accentuate them with beads or flowers and other accessories.

The packaging foam serves as the base of the letter holder, so you can shape it any way you want and decorate it the way you did the CDs. Afterwards, cut panels into the foam where you could insert the CDs.

2. A bird feeder from milk cartons

This is another simple recycling project for kids that will also teach them to appreciate nature. This would work well if you live outside the city; you would have a greater chance of attracting birds.

All you need to do with this recycling project for kids is to take a milk carton and cut an opening on its side. You do not have to throw out the portion you have cut out, though. You can fold it and glue it to the upper side of the opening on the milk carton so it would look like a flap. This flap should be stiff so it would not fall on the heads of the birds as they feed from the milk carton.

Once that is done, you fill the carton with bird seed and then prop it up where the birds can reach it.

3. A kite from paper bags

We usually throw away paper grocery bags, but these can be good materials for recycling projects for kids. All you need to do is to get your kids to paint these grocery bags any way they want, attach strings to it, and then go flying kites.

An important thing that you should remember when making your children do recycling projects for kids is to supervise them, especially when they are using sharp objects like scissors, so they would not harm themselves.

Recycling in colorado springs fashion and creation and art from recycling used materials from pillow cases bed sheets, purses, table colths, hats and much more all the out fits on this video are created bt Zeta Arce from colorado springs. on the (pikes peak or bust Rodeo parade Zolo) Aldo el gitano (drummer ) Mizar. Elize and Milenka and Josh Bearup, Isaias Bearup holding the banner…. thank you all from the bottom of my Heart.

Getting children to use recycling containers consistently can be a bit of a challenge at first – particularly in schools, youth centers, and other organizations where there is a large number of children. Bins for recycling are a great place to start when it comes to showing children the importance of helping the environment and incorporating eco-friendly practices into their daily life. Studies show that the younger the children are when they start, the more likely they are to stick with it.

Make A Fun Delivery

One of the greatest ways to incorporate recycling container into children’s lives is to have fun getting the materials into the bins. It also gives you a chance to add science into the equation. Get the kids together to design an ‘amazing machine’ with various materials such as Styrofoam cups, strings, marbles, and plastics. Paper, for example, can then be crumpled into a ball and sat in a ‘truck’. The truck can make falls and jumps, go through tunnels, and over obstacles on its way to the bins for recycling. This gives children an insight into basic physics, have fun putting it all together, and testing it.

Let Kids Help

Let children help when it comes to sorting and emptying bins for recycling. Each day, designate a few children as ‘earth officers’. They can make sure that all of the used materials go into the bin. At the end of the day, they can help you sort items from small bins into the larger ones for pick up and dump recycling containers that are already full. Each day they do their job successfully, they earn a sticker on a ‘green chart’ that can be used to earn privileges and prizes.

Games

Adding games into green activities are ideal for educating children and satisfying their curiosity for the world around them. In a classroom setting, for instance, let kids ball up the paper that would normally be tossed in bins for recycling. Line up the balls in a circle around the classroom so they can see how much they use in a day.

You can even make it into a contest to see how short they can make the line by reusing paper or using alternatives. This gives the kids an opportunity to come up with solutions (using chalk boards or miniature white boards) to cut down on the amount of waste they make each day.

Another twist on this idea is to let kids design their own recycling containers. They can use shoeboxes, cereal boxes, milk jugs, or other materials. See how creative they can be making their bins and how empty they can keep them.

Bins for recycling are a quick and easy way to instill green living in the lives of children. They will grow up respecting the environment and learn to make conscious decisions about their actions. Once recycling containers are in full use, incorporate these ideas into other eco-friendly activities and watch the kids flourish while they learn to save the earth.

Find out why YOU should be recycling and how you can combine recycling with your Big Tidy Up We are an environmental charity and the anti-litter campaign for England We also run programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches, and the Green Flag for parks to demonstrate practical action

Expanded Polystrene foam recycling machine, recycle your styrofoam and EPS. EPS GROUP LLC recycle Polystrene foam. Contact Charlie for more info. wscus@hotmail.com

The objective of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC is to minimize the environmental impact of electronic waste. The WEEE directive protects landfills and regulates the disposal of discarded or end-of-life electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) also known as e-waste. The related RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC strives to limit the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of electronic equipment.

The WEEE Directive provides guidelines for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The “polluter pays” principle means collection and recovery is largely at the manufacturer’s expense. Specified products include such things as large and small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, IT and telecommunications equipment.

Reduction of hazardous material content in products at the manufacturing stage will reduce the content of such pollutants in electronic waste. This will enhance the economic feasibility of recycling. Hence RoHS compliance, which in any case is needed for doing business in the EU, is the first important element for any effective recycling. Increased efforts to design products that facilitate recycling of WEEE components and materials are extremely beneficial.

Recycling is one of several waste disposal options. Its effectiveness depends, to a large extent on the type of material to be recycled and the availability of appropriate technology. E-waste such as a computer can be discarded by the original users, but it may still be perfectly functional equipment. In this case material recovery and reuse is a better alternative than recycling. In fact the reuse of waste electrical and electronic equipment is the preferred economic option.

Recycling is technology and material specific. It is mandatory to collect electronic waste separately from municipal waste. While primary administrative responsibility lies with the state, manufacturers have an important role in educating customers on proper waste disposal. The WEEE directive mandates collection of electronic waste at the manufacturer’s cost. Manufacturers must not only ensure that convenient collection points are set up for consumers but must also make provisions for the transportation of the waste materials to the recycling plant.

The WEEE directive mandates that recycling sites should conform to certain minimum standards to prevent adverse environmental impact when treating waste EEE. In most cases, it will not be feasible for a single manufacturer to operate its own recycling center.

Throughout the WEEE recovery chain, producers are required to finance the cost of e-waste collection from consumers; transportation to the recycling center; treatment; recovery and disposal. Producers will generally need to collaborate with other manufacturers to collectively bear the cost for the recycling and waste disposal obligations.

The WEEE and the RoHS are here to stay and further strengthening of environmental regulations is inevitable. One such step is the impending Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), regulations effective from June 1, 2007 in the European Union. The REACH regulation will control the use of a very wide range of chemicals and is not limited only to the electronics sector. In this increasingly difficult milieu, a proactive approach by producers to comply with the WEEE electronic recycling directive will surely give them dividends for increased competitiveness.

We’re currently living in a day and age where the ecology of our planet is becoming a very important issue in everyday life. The way we use and re-use our resources as well as how we manage our homes and lives in green culture provides us an opportunity to make choices in helping to promote a cleaner healthier planet. Part of those choices stem from using more energy efficient light bulbs. Recycling our plastics and paper. Even making choices about the furniture we purchase. In this article we’ll take a look at some things we can do to recycle and re-use our older furniture as well as some tips on eco-friendly furniture products.

When purchasing new furniture or beds we often need to think about the furniture being replaced as part of the circle in promoting good ecological habits. There are several options that we can use to recycle or re-use your old furniture.

1.) Consider donating your furniture. Businesses like the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries puts your older furniture back into circulation for others to use. The proceeds they generate from your furniture in turn helps to provide jobs and allows your furniture to find new life with a new family.

2.) Recycle your furniture. Wood furniture “can” be recycled at your local recycling center. There are also many local authorities who can assist in helping you to safely dispose of your furniture for recycling.

3.) Offer it to your family or friends. Your older furniture may be in tip top shape and if that’s the case you may still have sentimental feelings towards it and want to keep it in the family. If that is the case you can offer it to those you know who may have a need for the furniture.

4.) Try selling it. Many times your furniture may hold good resale value if it is a name brand or high-end piece of furniture. If that is the case why not sell it in a local newspaper ad or try selling it through online auctions like ebay or other online marketplaces.

Many of the options above give the added benefit of the furniture being safely and responsibly recycled or re-used which is an important step before shopping for new furniture and creating good eco-friendly habits. We need to avoid having older furniture added to landfills and we should make every effort to find a safe means of recycling our older furniture. After you’ve made arrangements to have your older furniture recycled or re-used you’ll want to start looking at some alternatives available in eco-friendly materials for furniture. There are many options available in furniture but one such material is becoming quite popular in green furniture. It’s called bamboo.

Bamboo is an interesting ecological friendly choice for a wide variety of products. What makes this product considered a green choice in furniture though is the process through which it is harvested and replanted. Many believe bamboo is a type of wood but it actually is classified as a grass. From the time it is seeded to the time it reaches maturity for harvesting is approximately 5-7 years. The stalk of the bamboo hardens and becomes tighter (harder than maple wood) which is then harvested and processed into a variety of products including boards which can be used for building and construction. It can be reseeded once harvested in as little as three months and because bamboo grows so quickly often reaching heights of 70 feet tall, this replenishment is quick with little to no impact on the environment.

Many domestic hardwoods like oak or ash do make great choices for furniture. In this modern age of resource conscious ecological living though many of us recognize that once an oak or ash tree is harvested it takes almost 40-45 years for a new one to be planted and grown to maturity. Many lumber companies do act responsibly with their cutting and harvesting of those trees but the maturity. However, if alternatives exist (like bamboo) and can be used in certain types of furniture in place of other woods then we should consider those resources ahead of others. Bamboo beds, nightstands, dressers and bookcases are just some of the many pieces of furniture made from this plant. The bamboo plant is even used in making fabric which is used in many types of mattress coverings.

In this article we looked at the two aspects of purchasing new furniture. We examined the responsibilities of what we should do with the older furniture. In the way of donating it, recycling it, giving it away or selling it. Doing these things allows our older furniture to be recycled and re-used creating a positive environmental impact. When getting ready to find new furniture we explored alternatives to domestic woods in the way of bamboo. Bamboo is fast growing, can be reseeded in less than three months after harvesting and provides material even harder than maple. Bamboo is a positive resource for eco-friendly furniture and if it is an available option should be considered ahead of other products. These suggested practices are not only good for you and others but for our environment as well.

Influenced by recycling proponents around United States, the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. introduced Resin identification coding system. It was in 1988 when this scheme of separating (or grouping) plastic resin types to make it easier for recyclers to sort them out and to have a more systematic waste management system, was introduced.

Guidelines in the Use of Recycling Number

The Society of the Plastics Industry in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agreed on the following guidelines in using the code:

This complies with the laws in 39 states wherein the code must be used on bottles and rigid containers

This is used to identify resin (a type of plastic) content only.

The code, while it helps in waste management and recycling activities, must not be conspicuous so as to affect sales of a product

The code must, in any way, never be altered

No additional markings such as “recyclable” may be placed near the symbol, nor should there be any claims of any products recyclability placed anywhere near it.

The ½” symbol, whenever it would fit, must be molded or permanently imprinted on all gallon containers from 8 ounce to 5 gallon capacity

Placement of the symbol must be as close to the center of the container bottom

To help you recycle efficiently, below are the 6 different symbols that are helpful in creating your own household waste management and the description of plastic items that are good for recycling.

1 PET (or PETE) – Poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET is a clear, and tough resin that can contain gas and moisture. These are commonly used in bottles and other injection molded product containers. This resin is a good candidate for recycling as they come in great volumes in waste management systems, in the form of bottles for beverages, catsup, beer, jams, peanut butter, etc. Major industries recycle these for major uses such as textiles, carpet, films, ink cartridges and moldings.

2 HDPE – High-density Polyethylene – HDPE commonly found in may types of plastic bottles. Its high resistance to chemicals makes it the preferred material for packaging household and industrial material such as detergents, conditioner, shampoo, bleach, etc. Proper waste disposal, i.e., segregating, would have these items for recycling and become plastic shopping bags, wire and cable covering, re-usable shipping containers, etc.

3V Poly (vinyl cloride) – commonly known as PVC, these are categorized into two groups, namely, rigid and flexible materials. While used containers made from these are also highly sought for recycling, these have many industrial and household uses. .

4 LDPE – Low-density Polyethylene – commonly found in film application uses because of its toughness, it is relatively transparent and flexible.

5 PP – Polypropylene – this is good for containing very hot fluids as it has very good chemical resistance and is a strong material. A very good example would be Tupperware products (which have their own recycling system), diapers, bottle caps and closures, etc.

6 PS – Polystyrene – this is a very versatile plastic material that can either be rigid or foamed. Examples are coffee cups, bakery shells, Styrofoam insulation, etc. Polystyrene can also be combined with rubber to produce high impact polystyrene, which is good for uses that require toughness.

7 OTHER – this means that the package is made up of a resin type that is not included in any of the above-mentioned six, or it usually is a package that contains a combination of the previously mentioned codes.