Why IS TALKIN' TRASH important:

The Earth is a closed system, this means that no resources are received from the outside. All materials that are essential for everyday life must be recycled, from the air we breathe to the fabric we make our clothes from. The world is a place of limited resources, so we must recycle everything we can. Recycling is ecologically and economically important, it plays a huge role in preserving the life we lead today.

www.earth911.org - Some interesting facts on recycling, like: The aluminum can is 100 percent recyclable and can be used to make new beverage cans indefinitely – demonstrating recycling at is finest! "Every can, every time!"

www.cuyahogaswd.org - another great link from Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District with Five Environmental Facts.

www.cuyahogaswd.org - Tracking Trash is an info-packed document about the life of trash prepared by Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.

Recycle

Recycling involves collecting, reprocessing and selling products made from old materials. For example, a recycled plastic soda bottle is chipped, melted and made into fiber, which becomes a jacket or sleeping bag stuffing. The old material in a new product is called recycled content. Some products are made with 100% recycled content such as a cereal box made only from recycled paper. An aluminum can might only be made from 40% recycled content because the can must be made from some bauxite (its natural resource) to keep it strong.

Start small, start easy...

Learn more about recycling and its process...

In THE VILLAGE OF BRATENAHL, the solid waste contractor picks up the following items when they are placed completely within the green 64 gallon cart that they supplied for weekly pick up:

• Aluminum cans
• Tin & Steel cans
• Glass bottles & jars-clear, green & brown glass, lids & labels may remain on
• Plastic bottles & jugs-lids & labels may remain on
• Brown paper bags
• Cardboard
• Catalogs & Magazines
• Colored Paper
• White Paper
• Computer Paper
• Envelopes (cellophane windows must be removed)
• Newspaper
• Junk Mail
• Pamphlets, brochures & folders
• White ledger paper
• Shredded paper (This is the ONLY item that should be bagged in the cart to prevent blowing when dumped)

Reduce

Reducing waste requires people to think how to prevent trash and household hazardous waste from ending up in the garbage can. The garbage ultimately is buried in a landfill and never used again. To reduce, really means not to make trash in the first place.

A simple habit to reduce waste is avoid buying and using disposable items such as paper products, straws and single serving containers. Another waste reduction method is to use products that will not harm human health and the environment. Using natural non-toxic cleaning products will limit the amount of chemical products in a home, which will prevent health and environmental problems.

Incorporating reduction habits is the best way to decrease trash disposed of in landfills. It keeps our homes and the environment healthier too.

Learn some reducing tips...

Reuse

Using something again is called reuse. Common materials are used again for the same purpose or for something different like washing dirty clothes or making a purse out of old jeans. It is expensive and unpractical to buy new pencils and clothing everyday. By taking care of the items and/or doing routine maintenance on goods, they can be reused longer.

For example, apply grease on a bike chain or clean dust and crumbs from a computer keyboard. Reuse activities can take skills such as fixing a broken game or sewing a torn shirt. The two main benefits of repairing broken items are saving money by making a purchase last longer and creating less trash. Also, reuse needs a touch of creativity to craft a treasure box from a carton, a bracelet from a toothbrush, a greeting card from an old CD case or a new piece of furniture out of salvaged wood.

Learn some reusing tips...

www.recycling-revolution.com - If you are unsure of what to recycle, start small, start easy.

www.epa.gov - The US Environmental Protection Agency's website is full of great facts and recycling opportunities.

www.earth911.org - Lists great Great shopping tips like: Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights, radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one cd player used two hours a day.

www.eartheasy.com/ - Home recycling requires a trivial amount of time, yet offers substantial benefit to the homeowner as well as the environment.

www.paperrecycles.org/recycling - In 2006, a record 53.4 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. (53.5 million tons) was recovered for recycling. Paper recovery now averages 360 pounds for each man, woman, and child in the United States.

www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/ - The World's Shortest Comprehensive Recycleing Guide.

www.greenerchoices.org/ - This site is sponsered by Consumer Reports and lists Green Products - Products for a Better Planet.

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