Dear Proper Green,
I live in a small rural community that has yet to see the benefits of total recycling. We're doing better but still have a long ways to go. In the meantime, I have a lot of glass bottles and nowhere to recycle them. They end up in the landfill. I have a lot of used paint and other toxic household items and nowhere to recycle them. What can be done?
- Pam G.
I live in a small rural community that has yet to see the benefits of total recycling. We're doing better but still have a long ways to go. In the meantime, I have a lot of glass bottles and nowhere to recycle them. They end up in the landfill. I have a lot of used paint and other toxic household items and nowhere to recycle them. What can be done?
- Pam G.
Dear Pam,
Earth911 is a great resource we love to tell Recyclebankers about. You can search for the nearest locations to recycle everything from glass to e-waste, and find out where to properly dispose of toxic products you may not be able to recycle.
You can also check in with local businesses — they may have solutions for their recyclables and may be willing to take yours in as well. Many supermarkets collect plastic bags for recycling and have buy-back programs for aluminum cans and plastic beverage bottles, hardware stores sometimes offer some kind of take-back program (especially for big, unwieldy pieces), and you can usually recycle e-waste like cellphones and old computers at electronics stores.
If you're finding that the nearest recycling drop off locations are still a ways away from your small rural town and closer to the nearest city center, consider storing recyclables in your basement, backyard, shed, or garage until you're making a trip in that direction. And get your neighbors involved! If they've got recyclables, offer to drop them off on your trip and see if members of your community would be interested in returning the favor — start a little green carpool revolution in your town!
The other thing to consider with some recyclables is reuse. You can find tons of great DIY projects for things you might normally throw away. Check out this inspiring Pinterest board with 101 ways to upcycle glass jars and bottles, and get your craft on!
What do you do with recyclables that your municipality doesn't take? Do you upcycle, find drop off locations, or something else? Share in the comments below!
About Proper Green
Proper Green is Recyclebank's green advice column. From promoting good manners in a green world (because ideas about what constitutes proper behavior and the environment are still evolving) to providing easy ways to make your every day more sustainable, Proper Green aims to help smooth the way with answers to questions that are important to you!
Do you have a question for Proper Green? Send inquiries to propergreen@recyclebank.com. Please note: Questions may be edited for clarity and length.
