Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Well, I'm not really one to make New Year's Resolutions.  By the middle of January, most people's New Year's Resolutions have kicked the bucket.  However, this year, I decided to make a resolution, a lifestyle change of sorts.  You see, I've been cloth diapering since August and using cloth wipes since December.  Using cloth diapers and cloth wipes have made a pretty big impact on the amount of garbage and waste that comes from my home.  I wanted to do more though, so I decided that in 2012, I'd regularly recycle and take advantage of the recycling center that's only 10 minutes away from my home.  I've heard the slogan: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  You know what?  That statement should really be a modern day mantra for all of us, and in 2012 I plan to to do just that.

If you check out the website earth911.com, you can actually search for recycling centers in your area.  You can also search for specific locations that take items such as batteries, motor oil, cooking oil, antifreeze, other hazardous materials and of course cans, glass, bottles and paper.  Now, every recycling center is different as to what they will and will not accept.  For instance, my recycling center, The M.E.T. (Metropolitan Environmental Trust), only takes #1 and #2 plastics.  Maybe I'm just a little "green" (no pun intended!) in my recycling endeavor, but I didn't know there was a difference in plastics.  I thought that plastic, well, plastic was just plastic.  However, if check out your plastic bottles (soaps, shampoos, cleaners, condiment containers, water bottles, etc.), they will most likely have their plastic designation on the bottom or side.  Their designation (#1, #2 and so on) will be imprinted inside the recycling "logo."  I guess my local recycling facility is not yet equipped to handle plastics other then #1 and #2.  So, now I make sure to check all of items and make sure my recycling center will accept them.

Recycling has been easy this month.  My husband bought me a couple of plastic bins that I store in the garage.  When I'm finished with an item, I simply rinse out the plastic/glass container and place it in my recycling bin.  When I'm finished reading a magazine or browsing through the Sunday coupon ads, I simply place them in my recycling bin.  Once they're filled, I visit my recycling center on a day that my son has pre-school.  I'm already out-and-about, so it's not an extra trip.

So, I'm curious, but how many of you regularly recycle?  Do you have a local recycling center near you?  What made you decide to recycle?

I hope you'll join me in my recycling endeavor and recycle whenever possible in 2012.  It's funny, but I never remember being so green or eco-conscience until I began cloth diapering.  Hmmm... wonder if there's a connection?  

Happy Blogging!

Toni The Chic Momma

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