Well it has been one week since I discovered my ecological footprint and created some goals to help reduce it. I thought that I would take this time to report on my progress.
1. I will always bring reusable grocery bags to the store.
- On Friday, I went to the store with my roommate for the first time this quarter and since setting this goal. Just prior to running out the door, I suddenly remembered my promise and grabbed three reusable grocery bags. I didn't know if three bags would end up being enough, however I stuffed them full to avoid having to choose paper or plastic. The clerk at the self check-out commented on my use of environmentally-friendly bags and I felt a small wave of pride come over me as I knew that I was doing my part and taking steps in the right direction--however small they may be.
2. I will learn exactly what items can and cannot be recycled in order to properly dispose of them.
- Although my roommates and I try to recycle whenever possible (my roommate is an environmental science major), when we are clueless as to whether or not an item can be recycled, we tend to just toss it in the garbage to avoid having to exert any major effort of looking it up. I promised that I would learn exactly what items can and cannot be recycled and thus I did some research. This is what I found:
Item: Shredded Paper
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Only long shreds (at least 8 ½ inches long and ¼ inch wide) can be recycled. Put them in a clear plastic bag and tie off. Confetti or crosscut shreds cannot be recycled, as they have no useful fibers for recycling.
Alternatives: All shredded paper can be layered in food and yard waste carts with organics. They can also be bagged and placed in the garbage.
Item: Plastic food bags (produce bags, bread bags, frozen food and Ziploc pouches)
Ok to Recycle at Home?: No. Plastic food bags often contain food residue and moisture that contaminate the rest of the plastic material.
Alternatives: Re-use for storing food at home and for shopping. They also can go in the garbage.
Item: Plastic shopping, newspaper and dry cleaning bags.
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Yes. Stuff into one bag for recycling. Do NOT recycle plastic food bags because of contamination issues.
Alternatives: Avoid the need for plastic shopping bags by taking your own bags to the store.
Item: Computers & Electronics
Ok to Recycle at Home?: You can request a home pickup for your computer, monitor, or television by calling 684-3000. There is a $20 fee per item. These materials will be recycled safely.
Alternatives: For free recycling dropoff of computers, monitors, and TVs, visit E-Cycle Washington or call 1(800) RECYCLE. For cell phones, stereo systems, VCRs, printers, computer keyboards and mice, use the Take It Back Network to find out where to take them.
Item: Packing materials (Styrofoam “peanuts,” Styrofoam blocks, bubble wrap)
Ok to Recycle at Home?: No.
Alternatives: Some mailing and shipping businesses accept “peanuts” for reuse. Check King County Reuse and Recycling website or call 1(800) RECYCLE. Other loose plastic packing material can be reused at home or goes in your garbage.
Item: Plastic bottles and tubs
Ok to Recycle at Home?: All plastic food bottles, containers and trays are accepted in your recycling cart after March 30 except for #7 PLA (corn-based) and Styrofoam containers.
Alternatives: Re-use whenever possible.
Item: Caps and lids
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Lids and caps larger than 3 inches in diameter can be recycled. Tin can lids must stay hooked to the can and be pushed down inside.
Alternatives: Plastic caps and lids smaller than 3 inches in diameter, and detached metal lids go in the garbage.
Item: Plant pots
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Yes, clean plant pots go in your recycling cart. Re-use for your own plant starts and house plants.
Alternatives: Check the King County Materials Exchange to find nurseries that may reuse the pots.
Item: CD cases
Ok to Recycle at Home?: No.
Alternatives: Search by categories of items for private recyclers at King County Reuse and Recycling website. They also can go in the garbage.
Item: Aluminum foil pie pans
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Yes. Be sure they are clean.
Alternatives: Food soiled foil goes in the garbage. You can reuse clean foil.
Item: Prescription containers
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Cylindrical prescription vials are not recyclable. The plastic is to brittle be re-manufactured into products.
Alternatives: Empty prescription medicine containers can be thrown in the garbage. For information about safe disposal of unwanted medications, call the King County Household Hazards Line, (206) 296-4692 or visit Medicine Return
Item: Compostable food service items
Ok to Recycle at Home?: Do not put compostable food service products in your curbside recycling cart.
Alternatives: Only approved Cedar Compostable food service products accepted by Cedar Grove(PDF) can go in your residential food and yard waste cart. Plain food-soiled paper plates such as Chinet brand can also go in your residential food and yard cart." Other food service products, even if labeled compostable or biodegradable, goes in your garbage.
If you have questions about the disposal of other items not listed above, click here to use the look up tool.
Recycling Symbols:
1 - PETE - Polyethylene Terephthalate
The easiest of plastics to recycle. Often used for soda bottles, water bottles and many common food packages. Is recycled into bottles and polyester fibers
2 - HDPE - High density Polyethylene
The easiest of plastics to recycle. Often used for soda bottles, water bottles and many common food packages. Is recycled into bottles and polyester fibers
2 - HDPE - High density Polyethylene
Also readily recyclable - Mostly used for packaging detergents, bleach, milk containers, hair care products and motor oil. Is recycled into more bottles or bags.
3 - PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride
This stuff is everywhere - pipes, toys, furniture, packaging - you name it. Difficult to recycle and PVC is a major environmental and health threat.
4 - LDPE Low-density Polyethylene
Used for many different kinds of wrapping, grocery bags and sandwich bags and can be recycled into more of the same.
5 - PP - Polypropylene
Clothing, bottles, tubs and ropes. Can be recycled into fibers.
6 - PS - Polystyrene
Cups, foam food trays, packing peanuts. Polystyrene (also known as styrofoam) is a real problem as it's bulky yet very lightweight and that makes it difficult to recycle. For example, a carload of expanded polystyrene would weigh next to nothing so there's not a lot of materials to reclaim, particularly when you take into account the transport getting it to the point of recycling. It can however be reused. Learn more about recycling polystyrene.
7 - Other
Could be a mixture of any and all of the above or plastics not readily recyclable such as polyurethane. Avoid it if you can - recyclers generally speaking don't want it.
Download a free plastics recycling cheat sheet! (PDF)
3. I will only use reusable cups and water bottles.
- I carry around a reusable water bottle and use a mug from home to hold hot beverages.
Thanks for tuning in! Hope you too find this information is helpful!
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