Help The Planet

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect...

We all can make small choices that impact our environment in the biggest ways everyday! Here are just a few examples of things you can start doing if you haven’t already, that will be like giving planet earth a tiny little hug every time you do one or all of these suggestions!

Reduce the amount of packaging you create. Purchase products in larger sizes and refill smaller packages that you use everyday. It’s more economical and you’ll be creating less waste. Once you start, you’ll find so many products you can do this with.

Reuse containers for as long as you can before you replace and then recycle them. And instead of throwing items in the trash, donate what you can to shelters in your area.

Recycle everything you can! There are so many things that can be recycled, that are used to make viable products. Plastics #1 through #7 can all be recycled. Look for the triangle with these numbers on products made from plastic and please recycle them. Glass, aluminum and bi-metal products, as well as paper and cardboard products are all recyclable and used to make new products. Contact recycling centers in your area to find out where you can take them, how much money you can get for them or if there is curb-side pick-up. Anything you recycle diverts trash from the landfills and once it’s in the landfill, you can almost guarantee it will be there forever!

Examples of recyclables to get you started:

Plastic- All beverage containers and all food containers. ( Water, soda, sports drinks, milk, fruit or vegetable juice, deli meats, frozen food containers, etc.)

Glass- All beverage and food containers, all colors. (Beer, wine, sparkling water, etc.)

Aluminum- Beverage and food containers. (Soda, energy drinks, coffee drinks, etc.)

Bi-metal- Metal beverage and food containers. (Juices, soup, all canned foods, etc.)

Paper- All writing and copy paper, envelopes, mail, etc.

Cardboard & Pasteboard- Cereal, cracker, frozen food boxes, 6, 12, 18 and 24 pack boxes of beverages, corrugated boxes, etc.

Respecting the environment we all share shows your commitment to being a better caretaker of our planet. Whether it’s in your home, classroom, workplace, while at the park, lake or beach, if every person is mindful of their choices, we will all reap the benefits and enjoy a healthier environment longer. I look forward to passing those values to our children and our children’s children. If you read or hear the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…remember, it’s all about Respect. I hope your day is just right!

 

 

This article written and copyrighted by Debi Hammond- January 2009