Recycling is often one of those things that we do simply because most cities and towns provide a container for us to use. Yet we often don't consider what is actually recyclable and what isn't. One of the best ways to start recycling is to find out what your local plant does recycle and what it doesn't. While many will recycle paper a good percentage will not recycle chip board, which is what cereal boxes are made from.
Once you know what the local municipality will care for then you can decide how to manage the rest of the recycling. Many major cities allow you to dump everything that is recyclable into one container and they come and pick it up, meshing it all together anyway. Other cities and many smaller towns require you to pick only one type of recycling product for the pick up service.
If you happen to live in city where you can throw everything into a single container then you simply make sure all of the recyclable material goes straight to the recycling bin. Some people start indoor recycling cans next to the regular trash can so that they do not have to make numerous trips to the bin.
If you live in an area where you can not recycle more than one product type you can still recycle the rest. Many recycling plants will accept (and even sometimes pay for) materials that are needed for recycling. This may include soda and beverage cans, old tires, and cardboard boxes. By keeping several small bins in an easy to access place you will be able to fill them and then stop by the plant with your load. Anything that is typically paid for will be weighed and then you are given a voucher to cash out when you leave. It's really very simple.
The main reason that people don't go the extra mile and recycle the products that they have to transport themselves is simply a lack of commitment to providing the best they can for the planet. It's easy when all you have to do is throw it away in a different colored trash can. When you have to put effort into it, many people just stop remembering why they wanted to do it in the first place. The best way to circumvent this issue is to start or join a group of fellow recyclers. Then you can take turns hauling material or you can come together as a group once a month, recycle the goods, and the go and have a meal together. It can lead to lots of great relationships but it will certainly help your relationship with the planet.
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