Don't miss the opportunity to add these less-obvious items to your recycling routine.
Participating in a curbside recycling program is a great way to minimize waste and promote sustainability—but our recycling efforts don’t have to stop there! I didn’t know until I started looking, but there are actually a lot of green solutions for many common household items that do not qualify for standard recycling collections. Many brands sponsor free recycling programs, and a lot of big-name retailers offer drop-off recycling points for certain items. If you are willing to take your recycling practice just a little further, there are simple and free solutions within reach.
This year as the world celebrates Global Recycling Day (held annually on March 18), let’s all do our part by committing to taking on one new recycling habit. Here are 3 ideas to get you started and some helpful tips to keep in mind.
Light Bulbs
No need to stay in the dark when it comes to earth-friendly light bulb disposal. Throwing spent compact fluorescent (CFL) and other fluorescent light bulbs into the household trash can lead to broken glass and the release of toxic mercury into the environment, causing harmful health effects to people and animals.
While not every light bulb is considered recyclable, namely incandescent and halogen bulbs due to limitations with how they are designed, energy-efficient CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes and LED bulbs can all be recycled through specialty drop-off recycling programs. In fact, some states and local jurisdictions require it.
Here are some of the easiest ways for household light bulb recycling:
Check local retailers. Different retailers have different specifications about what they will accept. In my area, the following offer some form of free light bulb recycling:
The Home Depot
Lowe’s
Batteries Plus Bulbs
Ikea
Check with your local waste management program. Some facilities offer household hazardous waste disposal as a free service to residents.
*Tip: Many retailers with drop-off light bulb recycling programs offer bins right at the front of the store. Stores suggest packing compact styles in plastic bags and wrapping large fluorescent bulbs in paper packaging to help protect bulbs from breaking.
Plastic Wraps & Bags
Next time you're unloading the groceries, take note of all the plastic packaging and wraps coming into—and later out of—your home. This exercise was a heavy realization for me. Though it is challenging to find a plastic-free shopping experience at most major grocery stores, we can ensure that some of the plastic packaging we encounter has a more earth-friendly end of life.
Plastic shopping bags can be recycled in bins located at the store fronts of many large retailers such as Target, Kroger, Walmart, Meijer and others, (read more on rethinking bags here), and actually, a lot of other plastic packaging can be recycled in those receptacles, too.
Add these plastic wraps/bags to your next store-drop off recycling trip:
Bread bags
Produce bags
Cereal bags
Freezer bags
Sandwich bags
Snack bags
Tortillas bags
Toilet paper wraps
Paper towel wraps
Beverage packaging
Plastic shipping bags
Bubble Wrap
*Tip: Recycling bins often provide a list of what exactly can be accepted. Generally, bags and wraps made from polyethylene plastic are accepted in these recycling programs. Be sure food packaging is clean and dry before recycling, and when you are in doubt if it can be accepted, a good rule of thumb is to leave it out.
Batteries
Many everyday items in our homes are battery-operated and fall into two categories: single-use batteries or rechargeable. It’s important to note the difference because not all batteries can be recycled easily.
Single-use batteries made from alkaline (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-volt) that power items such as TV remotes, smoke detectors and toys, are typically not accepted for recycling because of the costly methods involved in dismantling the components that can be recycled. Because alkaline batteries are considered non-hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency, they recommend disposing of alkaline batteries with other household waste.
While alkaline batteries are not widely recycled, some options do exist. Batteries Plus locations may accept them for a fee, as well as mail-in programs like Call2Recycle.
Rechargeable batteries used to power smartphones, laptops, video cameras, cordless power tools and more offer more options. Made from lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium, improper disposal in the landfill can lead to hazardous conditions and fires, so recycling is always recommended. Look out for Call2Recycle sites near you. Many retailers offer these bins right at the front of their stores. These are some to check where you live:
The Home Depot
Best Buy
Staples
Lowe’s
*Tip: When it comes down to it, single-use batteries join the list of items that are not sustainable—so it’s best to avoid buying them as much as possible. When you can, seek rechargeable solutions that can later be recycled. Look out for Household Hazardous Waste Collection events hosted in your community, which may take some or all battery types for recycling and proper disposal.
What I like most about these recycling options is that they don't require much additional effort. If you can designate a spot in your home to collect the items and then remember to take them with you on your next errand run—depositing them in store-front recycling bins is a breeze.
–Jill Span Hofbauer
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