Did you know (see I do sound like a public service announcement, the title did not lie) that you can recycle more than just your plastic grocery bags (we all get a one by accident every once in a while, don't hide you can admit it) in the recycling bins at the grocery shops. To be perfectly honest I did not know and so that is why I am passing along this very valuable information. The more you know (second cheese ball attempt at being a PSA). Anyway found this great website http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org/plasticbag/index.html that lists out a bunch of other plastics that you can recycle in your local grocery store recycling bins. Just to list a few: dry cleaning bags, bread bags, and the plastic from bulk toilet paper or paper towel packages (OMG I already feel better about this, since I am not going to lie I had been throwing that sort of stuff away, my conscious has been eased).
A quick jump here, and I promise I try not to bore you, but about 7 years ago I tried to start a recycling program with the clothing store where I worked. I was in the back sorting through all the clothes that were delivered on a daily basis. Anyway all the plastic I had to throw away was disgraceful. I had done some research, and at that time in the town I was living in there was no where to recycle those bags (similar to dry cleaning bags). Now you can at the grocery store. So just in case anyone works in a clothing shop that does not recycle those bags, ask if you can take them home yourself to recycle. There are so many ways that we can help save the world. I see smoke coming out of my ears, which means there may be a new project on the horizon for me (watch out clothing stores that do not recycle) once Leftover Love really takes off (please no breath holding, need to keep all friends alive).
Well that should do it for today, hope all is well out there in the world.
I found out that Good Will goes through their donated clothing and if it is not good enough to be put out on the sales floor for resale, they send it off to a recycler that turns used clothing into all sorts of things. Just saying....thought that was pretty cool. I know it has nothing to do with the plastic issue but your story jogged some memories.
ReplyDeleteTo find out what can and cannot be recycled in your home, go to
ReplyDeletehttp://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/SolidWaste/ResidentialRecycling/Pages/default.aspx
for recycling tips and guidelines to reduce waste.
If ever I need to buy bottled water or Gatorade, I actually select my purchase based on the re-usability of the plastic. Although some brands say they are more environmentally friendly because they use less plastic, I find that they don't stand up to my dishwasher. I like to choose certain brands (Gatorade and Vitamin Water) because their bottles stand up to alot of re-use over time.
ReplyDeleteRe-used plastic bottles + water from my Brita pitcher = endless filtered water to go!
comment 1: Charlotte, are you all those anonymous comments above? 2: speaking of leftover love, I was a my fave Thai place here in SF a few weeks ago and actually had brought my tubber ware with me for my left overs. When I told the server that I did not need the "chinese food box" he brought to the table, he THREW it away!!! I was SO frustrated. And then I thought of you and how I had to warn everyone out there! Beware and tell the servers up front that you do not need their take out boxes!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, great blog! Sharing your blog on mine! Any little 'green' thing adds up to a 'greener' planet! Thanks for sharing some tips with us!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so helpful! Thank you! I would really like to share this information with all of my readers - I write on my local patch.com in addition to my blog. I will definitely link back to your blog as the place where I found this information - as well as directly to the site with the info. It turns out ALL my local stores are listed!
ReplyDeleteIt does note that you can't put bio-based or compostable bags in - hopefully people are composting them at home!
I found you through Envirobooty!
Thank you for the info! I finally managed to write a blog post inspired by your post! http://www.greenlifestyleconsulting.com/2011/12/how-to-recycle-plastic-bags-dry.html
ReplyDeleteNowadays, we need to practice to recycle plastics and other materials so we can help our environment to prevent floods and other disasters. I always use biodegradable plastic bags when shopping. :)
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