As an avid recycler with a scientific background, this latest posting is in response to an article I recently read in; “The Atlantic”, by C. Flanagan titled, “Cultivating Failure – How School Gardens are cheating our most vulnerable students”. (more…)

See if your community offers curbside recycling of cartons; visit www.aseptic.org. Curbside carton recycling includes standard gable top cartons and aseptic brick packages. If your community does not have curbside pick up, phone your municipal recycling facility and ask, “Why not?” Cartons should be as important to recycle as bottles and cans.

When we think of recycling beverage containers, the plastic bottle or the aluminum can come to mind. The prolific use and discard of these holders of liquids has spurred us on to enact anti-litter laws, collect used bottles and cans, and to recycle. As systems to recycle beverage containers evolve, our focus (at least in the USA) seems to still revolve around the collection of PET plastic, aluminum cans, and glass. While advancements in packaging technology have brought us beverage products packaged in “long life packaging” like the Tetrapak® aseptic brick, little has been done (at least in our country) to “sort out” how these useful multi-material packages can be recycled. (more…)

Make your effort to recycle a resolution for life. If you are lucky enough to live where financial incentive exists to recycle, consider it a bonus. Save the earth even without earning a nickel.

As many cities brought in 2010 under bursts of confetti made from virgin paper, I wondered what this new decade may have in store for recycling. Are we finally getting waste disposal under control? (more…)

Start a children’s toy exchange program. Invite your neighbors and parents of children in your child’s daycare class. Meet a few times a year to exchange gently, used toys. Make toy recycling a social event!