Life with Dylan

Category: recycling

  • 5 easy ways to recycle almost anything

    When most people think of recycling, what comes to mind is aluminum cans and plastic water bottles. Why? Well, because we pay a CRV when we buy them and want our money back – right? For some people yes, this is the only reason to recycle.

    However, there are quite a few people who recycle because they care about the environment and want to leave the smallest carbon footprint possible. I’m one of those people.

    When we recycle cans and plastic bottles my son gets to keep the money. He usually gets about $6 a month – which isn’t a lot, but to a kid money is money. He also knows that he is helping the environment.


    As a family, we recycle almost everything. There is a bin that all newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and all paper products go into. We even flatten cardboard boxes from cereal, crackers, and soda cases. If you think about it, almost every type of paper packaging can be recycled. Once a month I take the bin to my work were they have a recycling program that earns the school money. I am helping the school out and keeping the landfills a little smaller.

    All glass jars and wine bottles also get recycled. We either take them to them recycling center with our cans, or I use them for other things like plants or storing beans and nuts. This type of glass doesn’t have a cash value, but that is not why we recycle.

    Now what about all those cans of soup and beans in your cupboard? Easy-peasy. Tear off the label and rinse out the can. These also go to the recycling center. Again, no cash value – but my carbon footprint sure is getting smaller.

    OK ladies, this one is for you. What do you do with your empty shampoo bottles and moisturizer jars? Or your empty bronzer compact and lipstick tube? You probably throw them in the trash just like I use to do. Stop doing that and start using TerraCycle. It’s easy to join a brigade and all you have to do is ship them your empty containers. TerraCycle does the rest.

    Aside from recycling your containers and packaging, start pre-cycling. Which basically means to think before you buy. Look at the packaging. Does it have the recycle symbol printed someplace on it? Is the packaging minimal?
    I would say close to 80% of what we buy as a family can be recycled and it doesn’t take that much work. Just set up some bins or even some reusable sopping bags and you will be amazed at how quickly they fill up – and how long it takes to fill your trash can!

    Who knows, maybe some of the products you recycle, instead of throw away in a landfill, will be used to make a bench like this one.

    All benches at the San Diego Zoo are made from recycled materials.



    What type of recycling do you do in your home or office?



  • Help Local Schools by Recycling

    File Photo – The Orange County Register

    If you are anything like me, you want to help your child’s school – but writing a check for $100 just isn’t in the budget. Sure, you can buy a magazine subscription from the school fundraiser – but do you really need another magazine delivered to your home?

    After doing some research I found that many local schools, including my son’s school, have community recycling days. Cans, plastic bottles, newspapers … some even have plain old paper recycling (the junk mail and envelopes from bills)

    You can read my article from The Orange County Register on OC Moms website. There are some great ways you can help local schools raise money for science, art, school gardens, and so much more!

  • Do You Live an Earth-friendly Lifestyle?

    Recycling is the most common thing people do to help the environment. Many think that this is all they need to do and nothing else really matters. Well, have you ever thought about how you recycle your aluminum cans and plastic bottles? Most people grab a plastic bag and start filling it up. When the bag is full they head over to the recycling center and collect the money.
    Well, that plastic bag is usually just thrown away. Plastic bags do not go away. Plastic bags end up polluting the ocean, harming marine life, and filling up our landfills. Think outside the box when you recycle your cans and bottles. All those reusable shopping bags you have … I know I have at least 15 in my trunk and about 10 in my home. These reusable bags make a great way to collect your recyclables until you make a trip to the recycling center. Especially if you live in an apartment.

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