Alternative Resources

      In order to protect our future we have to create less waste and a way to do that is by knowing how to recycle. Most people did not know that almost anything you own can be recycled. When you no longer have a use for it, recycle it do not trash it. Like they say, “one man’s trash is another man treasure”; in fact it is another man treasure. There are many alternative resources available to everyone that can make this world a better place when it comes to recycling.

Recycling has become a worldwide sensation. If you do not know what to recycle there is always someone that can help. Many states and countries have centers that will help you recycle. Some come to your house and pick up anything that you want to get rid of, while other centers you will have to take them personally and they will decide what they want and do not want.

In Arizona we have different programs that you can deliver your unwanted “trash” to. Arizona has these centers in every city. Depending in what city you live in, you can just go to your city page and search recycle and they will have a page of the different things they recycle and what you can do with them. For example, for the City of Phoenix, you can go to their website which is http://phoenix.gov/residents/garbage/ and when you get there you will see different information about different recyclable products. You can browse through everything or you can just go to the recycling link. When you get to the recycling link you can learn what is new to recycling, how you can get things picked up at home, and gives you more information about other programs available. Most people who live in Phoenix all own a blue recycling bin and they have a scheduled pick up day every week. The only exception to the blue bins is that you cannot just throw everything  in there you will have to look at your list that they provided you when you first get your bin to see if they recycle it. If you lost it you can always go to their website and look at it but it looks something like this.

All hard plastic containers including buckets, plastic jugs and bottles with or without caps.
All hard plastic containers including buckets, plastic jugs and bottles with or without caps.
Cardboard, food boxes, junk mail, wet strength, paper board, newspaper, magazines, phone books, juice boxes and shredded paper (placed in clear plastic bags).
Cardboard, food boxes, junk mail, wet strength, paper board, newspaper, magazines, phone books, juice boxes and shredded paper (placed in clear plastic bags).
Glass bottles, jars and any food grade glass containers.
Glass bottles, jars and any food grade glass containers.
Aluminum cans, metal cans, small metal appliances and empty aerosol cans, (No Paint, Pesticides, Oven Cleaners).
Aluminum cans, metal cans, small metal appliances and empty aerosol cans, (No Paint, Pesticides, Oven Cleaners).

THIS INFORMATION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF PHOENIX.

Other than the recycling of the items above, you can also recycle your unused fridges, clothing and furniture. In Arizona there are a lot of centers that are happy to take your unwanted items from you for free. The most common program that goes around neighborhoods and collect clothes, furniture, and toys is the Big Brother Big Sister program. They send out a letter notifying you when they will be in your neighborhood and all you have to do, is leave everything on the curb and they will pick it up on the scheduled day and time they posted on the post card. If you are not able to get everything ready for that day they also provide you with a telephone number and you can give them a call and they will come pick it up for you. The Big brother Big Sister program will pay you for every 23lb bag you donate. If you donate 250 bags each filled with 23lbs or more you will get paid $850.  People are always trying to get rid of clothing; now they can do it and get paid for it. Not only are you getting paid, but you will feel good that it will go for a good cause. If you would like more information about the program that Big Brother Big Sister has, here is the link that will take you directly to the page that will inform you of how you can donate http://www.bbbsaz.org/site/c.bkLWKhOTLfK2E/b.6612165/k.8AB8/Donation_Center.htmor  you can call 602-230-8900. The good thing about Big Brother Big Sister is that the program is nationwide.  There are also other programs like Big Brother Big Sister program but they do not all pick up. You can always find a center close by where you live. Other programs like Big Brother Big Sister are Goodwill centers, Salvation Army, Savers and any church will take your unneeded items.

You can also find these (cronkitenewsonline.com) bins outside almost any big supermarket.Be smart and recycle if you do not want to reuse them there is someone else who would want to.  As most of us know plastic bags are not recyclable and a way to stop them from piling up in our homes is by getting a reusable grocery bag. You can get a reusable grocery bag in almost if not all the grocery store you go to. They are inexpensive and you are helping the environment by using them. The bags range anywhere from 50 cents to 6 dollars it all depends on what kind of bag you want. You can also get them customized online for as little as 64 cents. Here is the link to one of the popular customized reusable bag website:

http://www.greenmonsterpromos.com/bags-totes/sale-bags.html?gclid=CNDs78TClLsCFUmUfgod6VEAtw

You can choose between many different colors and styles, plus it is easy. Once you get your recyclable bag, get all your plastic bags and take them to your nearby neighborhood and they will know what to do with them.There are many ways to recycle, so next time you have something you do not want think twice before you just toss it away. Take it to your neighborhood donation center, bin or give them a call so they can come pick it up for you. Go Green! That is the only way to go.

THE FUTURE OF RECYCLING

What can we do to share awareness of the importance of recycling? What is the rest of the world doing to make the future better not only for us but the future generations to come?

https://www.peaceproject.com/stickers/fullsize/Recycling

One way to prepare for the future of recycling is by acknowledging that almost anything you own is recyclable. If you do not need something or want it anymore find a way to recycle it. A lot of people want to be part of the recycling evolution but majority of the people do not know how to properly recycle.  There should be more advertisement about recycling after each commercial that is about a recyclable product. For example after each Soda product a quick slide can come up that say do not forget to recycle all “blank” products are recyclable. With that small message people can become more aware and they can think twice before they just toss it in the trash. Advertisement will be the greatest awareness about recycling. It is very easy to advertise. You can post links on a social website, make a commercial, put a sticker like the logo about on your bumper of your car or make a website like this. Let others be aware to go green. Here is a link to a page that will help you find ways to recycle no matter where you are at, you could be at school, work or at home. It is a very helpful site, use it.

http://rethinkwasteni.org/at-work/

On the quest of finding research for the future of recycling I came across a Tedx Video of a man Rajan Ahiowalia that goes over a plan that will better the future of recycling. The plan is called Close loop recycling. Close loop recycling means natural resources are used, then recycled, then used again with little or no loss of material volume. (http://www.greys.ca/). In his plan he proposes to make 80,000 new jobs. A way by doing that is by opening up more plants that recycle paper and cotton in an effective way. It has begun in Edmonton Canada but hope to soon bring more plants around the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qImzHrJpzuo  ß this is the link to the video if you would like to hear more about his plan to change recycling in the future. 

     This is the plant in Edmonton Canada and how future plants will looks as well.Recycling is easy. All you have to remember is to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE. If we can all do that the world will be a better place for us and the future generations.

Author: Marlene Vazquez

Welcome!

This site is an ongoing project of Dr. Perla A. Vargas and her students in Environmental Psychology at New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, AY 2013-2014.

 

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