5 Recycling Facts You Didn’t Think Of

Saving the Earth in New Ways: 5 Recycling Facts You Didn’t Know

We are all familiar with those plastic recycling bins, we have heard the public service announcements and catchy slogans, and the word is out that reusing and recycling everything we possibly can is a terrific way to help both the environment and the economy.

However, it is not all about newspapers, soda cans, and plastic bottles.  There are other things to recycle out there that many people aren’t thinking about.

Recycling Fact #1 – Precious minerals and metals

Minerals and metals aren’t unlimited resources, so reusing what we have is of paramount importance.  Some companies show their commitment to the environment by recycling gold, silver, and platinum from old jewellery and recasting them into engagement rings and other fine jewellery.

Bearing in mind how disruptive some mining can be, both to the world and to peoples’ lives, reducing the need for it does us a world of good. Always look for this option if you are buying jewelry.

Recycling Fact #2 – Smart Phones

These days almost everyone has the latest smart phone.

With all the new styles, features and upgrades people have on their accounts, more and more people are making the upgrade and tossing their old phones away.

But where are those phones being tossed?  Many end up in landfill.  Or collecting dust in our houses (how many do you have in the drawer? – just in case you might need it. Sometime).

But did you know that those cell phones, and in fact other electronics too, can be recycled?

At no charge to you, shops such as Best Buy will take your old electronics and have them recycled for you. Additional information and education on electronics recycling can be found on their website.

Or get cash for your old phone – SellCell will do a price comparison to get you the best cash offer for your old phone, or just Google “cash for old phone”.

Or give back – Cell Phones for Soldiers supports soldiers overseas.  Most countries have organizations which use old cell phones for very good causes.

Or just Google “recycle” and the name of your country or city.

Recycling Fact #3 – Media

And speaking of electronics, do you have any old CDs, DVDs, or VHS tapes?

Just about any of your local arts and crafts centres would love to take them off your hands.

Why? When broken down, they can be made into useful materials, such as gift bag bases and drop spindles for wool spinning.

Alternatively, get creative yourself – there are many DIY crafts that can be made from these old items that you have no use for any more.  And if you have a family, it can be fun for everyone – kids always enjoy arts and crafts!

Recycling Fact #4 – Mattresses

Old mattresses are a pain, but rather than tossing them in the dumpster, you can recycle them.

Americans toss out 20 million mattresses every year, mostly into landfills, and yet old mattresses are positively loaded with reusable material.

Ask your mattress retailer about recycling yours, or look for one of the many mattress-recycling facilities located across the country (Google “mattress recycle” and the name of your city).

Recycling Fact #5 – Think About Recycling Everything!

A lot of naysayers will tell you that recycling is pointless.

And it’s certainly true that it’s better to stop creating new “stuff”, especially stuff that has a short lifespan.

But for stuff that’s already purchased, it definitely makes sense to keep re-using it, or, at end-of-life, to recycle it.

Anything that prevents us having to source and use brand new resources just has to be worthwhile.

To use aluminium cans as an example:

• recycling just one saves enough electricity to play a full album on an iPod
• recycling a hundred saves enough to light your bedroom for two weeks!

That’s an undeniable difference right there.

As populations and resource consumption continue to grow, finding new and productive ways to recycle is becoming increasingly more important.

As shown here, we’re slowly improving, learning new ways to keep using what we have, and bit by bit, we are going to strive to improve and save this Earth.

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You might also enjoy:    Use your smart phone to be green     Did you know you can recycle your shoes?      Or read a fun article on my issues with Recycling, Zero Waste and Wine