Create a Home Recycling Center
Creating a home recycling center is a small way you can help the environment and is being offered in more cities and towns across the county.
Unfortunately, just the thought of recycling can add to the sense of overwhelm and prevent you from making it part of your daily life.
Following the 8 steps, one by one, can guide you to make this simple impact into a simple routine.
Step 1: Find out what is recycled in your area.
Before you can create your home recycling center you have to know what can even be recycled!
Although most places will recycle glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, and plastic, your commnity may offer even more optoins. Contact your local City Hall to find out what is available or at least be pointed in the right direction. Your city may also have a website with all the information you need.
Take time to find out what your community requires or requests as far as sorting
Step 2: Decide how many containers you will need.
Knowing what you are able to recycle will determine how many conainters your home recycling center will need. You may be able to combine certain materials so you require less bins and less space.
Take time to find out what your community requires or requests as far as sorting the items.
When I had to take my recycling to a drop-off center, it was okay for me to put all the plastics together, because it was easy for me to sort there.
Now, even though my community doesn't require us to sort all the recyling, I know it makes it easier on the crew who picks up, so I keep them separated.
Step 3: Find Containers
You may already have containers that will work for your home recycling center. If you have been clearing the clutter, you may find extra storage bins just ready for a new purpose! You may also want to check and see if your city provides bins specifically for their recycling program.
Baskets also work nicely in the kitchen and in the office. For some of the items you may be able to use sturdy cardboard boxes. Just take a look around and see what you find.
Keep in mind that the containers you choose for your home recycling center is an important part of the process. You don't want your center to look "junkie" or you may not want to continue recycling. What you use in the garage will be different than what you have in your home.
Step 4: Make Labels
Take all the guess work out of what can and can't be recycled by placing labels on each bin. As you can see in my example, I listed cardboard and everything that can be recycled here. This is also great for family members who help sort the recyclables.
The easiest way to make the labels is to use a 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper. Write the needed info and insert into a page protector. Tape the page protector to the bin with packing tape. This protects the label from weather if you leave it outside and it keeps the label from falling off.
These are other great label options for your home recycling center. Click on the picture to learn more.
Step 5: Create the Space for your Home Recycling Center
The best place is typically the garage, but be open to see where that place is for you and your family. Make it as easy as possible to sort, take to the drop-off center, or haul out to your curb.
You will also want a space in the kitchen and office to initially collect the items. This prevents multiple trips to the other containers and having recycling take over your kitchen counter.
If this step seems overwhelming or intimidating, I suggest a couple of things. You can start with one or two recycle bins based on what you acquire most. You can also create more space by listing things on www.Freecycle.org. (You will read more about this in Step 8.)
Step 6: Establish a Routine
As with everything, your routine has to be SIMPLE or it may not stick!
Here is my routine: I have a bin in my kitchen that catches 95% of all the recycling materials. I don't sort them here--they just get dumped in after they are rinsed and flattened. When it gets full, I take it to the garage and sort each item into the appropriate bins. (This is where the labels come in handy!) I do the same with my office basket which is typically paper, so it can normally be dumped into the "Paper" or "Cardboard" bin.
I also suggest writing the recycling pick-up or drop-off days in your calendar for upcoming months. Maybe you can designate each Friday as recycling day and take the items from the house to the garage. Or, you can make it the day before recycling is picked up. Once you get into a rhythm, it will naturally become part of your life.
Step 7: Mindful Purchases
I am assuming you have heard of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Notice “Recycle” is the last one mentioned.
With mindful purchases you can focus on reducing the items needing recycled.
On your future shopping trips, consider what products you are buying and how they are packaged. Go for bulk items you use on a regular basis. Get the jar of apple sauce instead of individually packaged cups that can't be recycled.
Another idea is to take your own canvas bags to the stores to reduce the need for paper and plastic bags.
"Most of us are familiar with recycle and reusing, but how often do we think of the third R - REDUCE?
'Reduce' is probably the most important of the three Rs because, if we reduced, it would limit the need to recycle and reuse."
~Catherine Pulsifer, from The "Reduce" of Recycle and Reuse
Step 8: Use Freecycle.org
I love Freecycle! So far I have been able to find new homes for a broken guitar, wireless computer card, 2 toilets, a HUGE wall cabinet, blue tiles from our shower, and a cracked Pampered Chef baking stone. (Even with the crack someone wanted it!) If you haven't checked out www.Freecycle.org, you are missing out! This is fabulous for creating more space and less waste, not to mention meeting great people in your own community!
"There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use."
~Mother Teresa
Happy recycling!
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Return from Home Recycling Center to The Organizing Coach home
