The 13 STEPS OF RECYCLING
You might think that Recycling is “old news”.
So why are our landfills getting fuller and why are so many recyclables thrown out into the trash and float in our rivers and oceans?
If you are doing all the recycling you can at home, it’s time to tackle your house of worship (or any other community you belong to) including publishing these eco tips in your group’s newsletter, and then move on to your workplace.
If you live in Philadelphia and would like to get rewarded for your Recycling efforts join the city’s program at: www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com or call 1-888-769-7960
Read more on the FIRST PRECEPT OF BUDDHISM by Thich Nhat Hanh
Please watch the short video The Story of Stuff by Anne Leonard on youtube or at her website: www.storyofstuff.org
Set up your recycling bins and participate in the City’s program:
1. Paper:
Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, phone books, food boxes (remove plastic lining),
computer paper, flyers, etc.
Remember to use both sides of your paper wherever possible.
2. Cardboard
Cartons and boxes empty and flattened.
3. Plastic
All household plastic containers marked # 1 through #7
Many supermarkets collect plastic bags. Cut down on plastic bags by taking reusable bags on your shopping trips.
4. Glass
Jars and bottles
5. Metal
Tin and aluminum cans, empty paint cans, empty aerosol cans
6. Household hazardous waste
The city does several events during the year at various locations, starting on Aril 28.
Please check the dates and locations at: www.phila.gov/streets/HHW.html
Items to recycle that the City’s Recycling Program will not pick up
7. Used Batteries:
Used or “dead” batteries contain heavy metals that are toxic to humans and animals. They have to be disposed of properly. Whole Foods, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Office Depot, Staples, Home Depot, and the Big Green Earth Store at 934 South St. Collect your dead batteries.
8. Cork:
Whole Foods collects this precious material. There is serious shortage on cork oak trees. Please collect your wine corks!!
9. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs:
IKEA, Lowe’s and Home Depot collect them
10. Cell Phones:
Whole Foods and many charities (like shelters for battered women) collect old cell phones.
11. Electronics – a.k.a. Toxic E-Waste
It is totally inappropriate and unethical to put old computers, old TVs or old electronic gears on the curve on garbage pick-up days. Why?
Because your old electronic gear contains significant amounts of toxic materials.
Watch the Story of Electronics at the Movies Section of www.storyofstuff.org
Donate your older models to schools or non-profits, or put them on www.freecycle.org
or on Craigslist.
Another great option is to participate in the many ethical E-Waste Recycling events organized by community groups in collaboration with companies like eForce Recycling or GigaBiter.
THE NEXT E-WASTE REYCLING WILL BE AT SEVERAL WHOLE FOODS STORES ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 9 A.M. – 2 P.M.
12. Unlitter Philadelphia
Make it a habit to pick up one piece of trash every day and join the De-LITTER PHILADELPHIA CAMPAIGN. It will create good karma or brownie points in heaven.
13. Have FUN
Of course RECYCLING is no silver bullet to end the environmental pollution & waste, but one part of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.
How about a Recycling Party every full moon or at least every change of season?
