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Reduce, Re-use, Recycle!
Not so long ago it seemed that recyling was a preoccupation of tree huggers and hippies. Now, recycling is part of the mainstream with governments around the world starting to realize that actually there are significant benefits to recycling. With climate change and dwindling resources, recycling is seen as part of the solution. In addition, it is being recognised that dumping rubbish in landfill is not only wasteful of our precious resources, it is harmful to the environment.
A Smallholder's Diary
This is my blog about my attempts to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHow Do I Recycle?
Actually that is a difficult question to answer as it varies according to what facilities are offered to you locally. Some authorities offer a collection service where you are expected to sort your waste into different types, whilst others allow you to put all your recyclable waste together. Many authorities also offer the services of a recycling center where you can take a wide variety of items to be recycled.However, we can also do our bit to reduce waste ourselves and where local facilties do not exist there are other options.
Recycle Your Organic Waste By Composting
You can recycle your kitchen and garden waste by composting and the resulting compost is an excellent way to feed your garden. It is easy to build your own compost bin, or you can buy one.Things you can compost:
- raw fruit and vegetable trimmings
- crushed egg shells
- tea bags
- straw and hay
- hair/fur
- grass and plant cuttings
- shredded paper
- animal bedding and sawdust
- leaves
- horse and poultry manure
- wood ash
Apart from the obvious, here are some things you can't compost:
- meat and meat products
- coal ash
- nappies
- dairy products
- colored or treated paper
- chemically treated wood
- diseased plants
- perennial weeds
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Recycling Computer Equipment
Computers, printers, monitors, etc. (known collectively as e-waste) should not be disposed of in household rubbish as they contain toxic substances. Some local authorities have facilities available for recycling such e-waste, but unfortunately a number don't.It is worth checking out what the manufacturer of your equipment offers in relation to recycling. Some manufacturers, notably Dell and HP, have invested heavily in recylcling and offer facilities for you to recycle your obselete equipment.
Another option is to offer your equipment to charities. There are a number of charities that specialize in the re-distribution of IT equipment to schools and community projects in the developing world. Digital Links offers such a service to UK schools and companies.
Recycle Your Cell Phone
The easiest way to recycle your old cell phone (provided it is in good condition) is simply to sell it on Ebay.If you don't want to do this, or your phone doesn't work, then there are a number of companies that will recycle your phone for you. If you live in the UK or Ireland then you can exchange your phone for cash with Envirofone. For U.S. residents Cell For Cash will also exchange your old phone for cash.
Books about recycling
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling (Little Green Books)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/27/2009) 
Richell 3-Bin Recycling Tower
Amazon Price: $65.70 (as of 12/27/2009)
McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $98.32 (as of 12/27/2009)
What blogs are saying about recycling and the environment
- 5 Environmental Headlines – Christmas tree recycling set up countywide
- 5 Environmental Headlines ? Christmas tree recycling set up countywide. December 26th, 2009 · No Comments. Entries sought for New Jersey native fish art and writing contest. Students in fourth to seventh-grades are invited to learn ...
- Learning To Recycle To Protect The Environment :Healthy Home Smart
- Learning To Recycle To Protect The Environment. Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 12:54 am. ~ More. Author : Mike Selvon Do you know how to recycle your garbage? It is a process that is amazingly simple, yet so many people continue to ...
- Recycling Helps Prevent Global Warming – How to Keep the ...
- If you want to keep the environment clean then you need to recycle everything you can. You should set aside a few spaces so that you can keep your recyclables in a separate area. All of your water bottles should go into one container so ...
What do you think about recylcing?
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- totalhealth totalhealth Feb 23, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
- there's so much we can do from the things that we recycle. With the use of creativity, we could make beautiful things at the same time help in reducing the amount og garbafe
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