Everyone knows that it’s important to recycle to help the environment. Maybe you’ve even considered starting your own recycling system in your home. But sometimes it can be an overwhelming project that you don’t know where to even begin.
If you’re looking to get started but don’t know where to look. Then we’ve got you covered. Today we’re going over some of the basic first steps to setting up a recycling system in your home.
1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
When we think about recycling, we often forget there are two other parts to the common saying. And recycling does come last for a reason. If possible, it’s better to reduce and reuse before jumping right to recycling.
Before you recycle, try cutting back on single-use items. Instead of buying a bottle of water, bring a refillable water bottle. Or grab those reusable shopping bags when you head to the grocery store.
As for the reusing aspect of this saying, there is a lot of things you can do. Get creative. Make old t-shirts into reusable bags. Or even turn them into cleaning rags. There are plenty of options you can choose from when it comes to reusing items.
2) Find a recycling center
Now that you know what items you can’t do without and what you can’t reuse, the next step is to figure out what you can and can’t recycle. Before you do all the work of finding local recycling centers around you, be sure to talk to your complex about what programs they have set up for recycling. This can save you a lot of time both with research on the front end as well as not having to drive around the city to multiple locations.
If your complex doesn’t have anything set up, then you’re going to have to put in the leg work yourself. You’re going to have to spend a bit of time finding what is available locally. Some places have recycling set up throughout the city. Others have smaller setups. It’s going to take a bit of work, but it will be worth it in the end.
3) Start small
Now that you know what you can recycle, it is important not to try to do too much all at once. Start small. Pick a few items that you use a lot of that you know can be recycled: aluminum cans, milk jugs, and cereal boxes. And stick with those. When you’ve gotten that down then you can add more. But trying to do all of it at once, especially when you have to take it to multiple locations can be overwhelming.
Starting with only a small handful of things is still great for the environment and will be more likely for you to follow through. Everyone likes to see success.
4) Have a place for your recycling
This may sound like a no-brainer, but is pretty important when it comes to the success of your recycling endeavors. If it’s put away where you never remember it, then you aren’t likely to use it. But on the other hand, if it’s always in the way then it feels like a burden.
Spend some time to find the perfect place to put your recycling where you can get the best use out of it. This should also include if you want to buy special bins or if paper bags will do the trick for now. Determine what works best for you and go with it. If it’s not something you’re happy with change it up. Because if you don’t like it, you’re likely to not stick with it.
5) Make a habit
With everything set up the next step is the biggest, stick with it. Even when it gets frustrating or time-consuming, keep going. This is to help better the planet and every little bit helps. Once you’ve truly gotten into it, things will get easier. And before long it will feel like a normal part of your daily life.
This may only be an easy beginner’s guide to setting up your own recycling system. But it is a great place to start. Let us know in the comments if you’re looking to start your own recycling program.
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