Get rid of unwanted circulars!

I have a P.O. box which I have to admit I don't check often. When I do, it is just crammed full of grocery store circulars that go directly into the recycle bin. I asked the mail carrier behind the counter how I could stop getting these stupid things and he gave me a phone number.

1-800-437-0479
It's very easy. Just follow the directions and it will connect you to someone who will take you off the Red Plum list.

Or, go here.
http://www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/consumersupport.aspx

CD Cases

I've been cleaning a bit because I am moving in a few weeks. As I'm going through years of... well... junk, I have been filling my paper recycling bin numerous times, and dropping off car loads of clothes to thrift stores.

I came across a few boxes and crates of cd jewel cases from my music obsession. I found on one website that they are un-recyclable [please correct me if I'm wrong] because of the plastic they are made of.

The internet is full of good ideas on how to recycle these cd cases, but my favorite is to give the empty cases to local bands so they can sell their music without spending money on new cd cases.

Other ideas I've seen.

Post on Freecycle and give to others that may need them.

Make a calendar - give your friends some too!

Add a magnet to the back and turn them into a fridge photo magnet.


Please add your own!

Oh Canada!

For those of you who watched the Winter Olympics may have noticed that the medals were a bit unique looking.

#5

A number of cities and towns do not recycle #5 labeled plastics. This company has made it easier to recycle #5's, by setting up "Gimme 5" stations at select Whole Food stores. You can also mail them your plastics - toothbrush handles and yogurt lids - for free!

The company then turns your #5's into toothbrushes and other products!

Thank you Japan!

A reader sent me this very inspiring link. It's only 3 minutes long but please enjoy it!




I love that the money made from recycling goes back into the community. Separating your recyclables into 34 different categories may sound extreme...and tedious, but having zero waste is worth it.

I'm not sure why the video is covering the side information for this blog...but bear with me. :)

Freecycle

I am a major supporter of thrift stores. I love the treasure hunt they become, and I love the prices. I've picked up some really old cameras, old school Nintendo games, records [more so when I was a DJ], furniture and items for costume parties.

Whenever I go clothes shopping, I come home and make a thrift store pile to exchange say, 3 old things for the 3 new things I just bought. Of course it always ends up that I donate more than just an equal amount to my new purchases...or if I don't have a significant amount of stuff to donate I wait or ask friends if they want to add anything to my donation pile.

Anyway, back to the treasure hunt aspect of it all. There is a website out there that is the online version of thrift stores! It's called Freecycle and it's like trash picking on the internet. They want to give items a few more lives before they end up in the dumpster just because the owner doesn't want them anymore. So next time you come up empty handed after a thrift store visit or dumpster diving, go to Freecycle!

Please recycle your cardboard

Why recycle cardboard? Why not just throw it in the trash...

Doesn't a little part of you die inside when you throw something recyclable into the trash? Or is that just me?

The worst seems to be when people go on vacation - because it seems like people take a vacation from recycling also. They forget to have their papers stopped at home, so their newspapers gather on their driveways and get soggy. They buy paper plates for their mountain or beach homes and just throw away their dishes, because hey, who wants to do dishes while on vacation! I could go on and on but you see my point. I hope.

Recycle your bottle caps!

Aveda is an environmentally-aware company that produces a professional line of cosmetics including makeup, skin care and hair color. Their products are plant-based and can be found at Aveda salons and spas or retail stores. Check out some of these links for detailed information regarding their product line.

Aveda has realized that the caps on your plastic containers are not recycled, and end up in landfills or in streams, etc., where they sometimes are mistaken as food by animals. They are accepting these caps at select stores and salons.

"Join the Recycle Caps with Aveda campaign and feel great knowing that your plastic caps will be repurposed into new packaging and kept from entering our waterways and harming wildlife."

To find a location near you, click here.

More Coming Soon!

This site was started to open your eyes. Don't forget to stop occasionally and look at your surroundings that you and your peers are creating. How many bags of trash does your household create each week? (Especially around holidays!) How full is your recycle bin each week? You may be eligible for recycling incentives (you get rewarded for recycling!) but you have to check in your area to see if a program is offered.

I want this site to inspire one reader to start a recycling program within their office, another reader to be religious about bringing their own reusable bags to the grocery store, another reader not to use so much wrapping paper for Christmas or birthdays, another reader to buy local produce or for a reader to stop throwing trash out the windows when they drive.

I hope it works and I hope you pass on the news.