It’s that time of the year for “spring cleaning.” But before you toss your garbage into the trash, think twice.
Recycling is an easy way to pitch in and save the planet. There is the usual paper, plastic bag, cans and bottles that go into the big, blue recycle bin in your backyard, and then there are the less obvious items.
Read this list of five things you didn’t know you could recycle:
1. Phone Books
Instead of throwing those unused phone books into the trash bin, contact your local recycling center and see if they accept old phone books. If they do, take the time to drop them off. If not, call Project ReDirectory at 1-800-953-4400, and find out where you can send your unused phone book to be recycled.
2. Wine Corks
Yes, wine corks, ladies and gentlemen, are recyclable. An environment-friendly manufacturing company called Yemm & Hart, produces recycled building materials, including converting used corks into floor and wall tiles.
3. Carpets and Rugs
If your carpets and rugs are still in relatively good condition, donating then to charity is a better idea than throwing then in the trash bin. However, if they have outlived their usefulness, then it is time to find a private recycler. Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) provides locations and listings to more than 50 carpet reclamation partners across the nation. Visit their website and see where you can recycle your old carpets and rags.
4. Potato Chip Wrappers
TerraCycle takes potato chip wrappers, foil wrappers from candy bars and other junk food, as well as department store plastic bags, and uses these materials to create a variety of items from messenger bags to office supplies. To find out more about their products and how you can contribute to this fun creative recycling process, go to www.terracycle.net.
5. CDs, DVDs and Audio/Video Tapes
GreenDisk recycles technotrash, such as scratched CDs or DVDs, as well as old pagers and cartridges. For a fee of $10, they will send you a box to place up to 25 pounds of the aforementioned items. This fee includes shipping and handling. Visit their website at www.greendisk.com for more information on their rates and other services provided.
