Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The green movement is in full swing these days, but it never ceases to amaze me how many little opportunities to make a difference for the planet get passed over.  So, what can you do to make a difference?

Reduce Your Waste — Reusable bags are where it’s at these days, and using them can have a huge impact on the environment.  Plus, you can look cute while shopping!  You might also consider buying a cute coffee sleeve for your morning cup of coffee.  Just think of all the cardboard you could save by bringing your own coffee sleeve!

Coffee Sleeve available from Joyful Star on Etsy

Reduce Your Energy Usage — It’s no secret these days that using CFLs or LED lightbulbs can reduce your energy usage, but there’s another great trick to save energy and money.  Turn off your lights!  This is something that I struggle with regularly, but I don’t need every light in the house on at night.  If I’m not in the kitchen, then I don’t need those lights on…even if I might like them on because I’m home alone.

Let Someone Reuse Your Stuff — Don’t wear that shirt anymore?  Getting a new TV stand?  Don’t throw those things away!  Unless it’s damaged beyond repair, it doesn’t belong in the trash.  Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean that someone else won’t.  Donate you unwanted belongings to Goodwill, AmVets, or the Salvation Army.  Many places will come and pick your unwanteds up for you.  Or, make a buck and sell your stuff on ebay or CraigsList.

Recycle From Everywhere — I feel like this should go without saying, but I see people miss recycling opportunities all the time!  One of the biggest missed opportunities is in the bathroom.  Often we just toss our bathroom recyclables into the bathroom trash can, but just keeping a second small can under the sink can help get those recyclables where they belong.  The same goes for the car.  It’s so easy to just toss out water bottles and coffee cups, but take just a few minutes to actually get them into the recycling.

Recycle Everything — Sure, we all know you can recycle cardboard boxes and plastic bottles, but the truth is, there is very little these days that can’t be recycled.  You coffee cup?  Recyclable.  Your empty glue bottles?  Recyclable.  Old ink cartridges?  Recyclable.  Electronics?  Yup, you can recycle those too.  Certainly, things like old computers and motor oil might require a little effort on your part, but many counties offer program to recycle just about everything.

• Kane County Recycling
• Northern Cook County
• Western Cook County
• DuPage County Recycling

Living green doesn’t have to take a lot of effort.  Just be conscious of the waste you are making, and avoid putting recyclable or reusable things in the trash!

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