The Real Deal on Recycling

Photo by: eurleif

Recycling is not a post-Earth Day invention. Most pointedly in economic slumps, businesses and households always become amazingly inventive in reusing things, resulting in positive financial and ecological benefits. Even before Rome's domination smiths reused bronze for a variety of hunting needs and collected fire residue to make bricks. Philadelphia established the first paper recycling mill in 1690. Assembly line genius Henry Ford crafted a dis-assembly process to built old car parts into new models.

Today is a somewhat of a different ball game. With a rising population and endless supply of packaging inside packaging, mass recycling is more in line with our current needs. And it may or may not always affect the budget. Why all the rubbish? A big part of the problem is our love affair with disposables and excess waste. We'll grab five paper towels to clean up a mess rather than a wet rag. Many families make it a regular habit to eat exclusively from paper or styrofoam plates.

Recycling is smart. You'll toss your green bean cans anyway, so why not put them in a separate container? For minimal effort you can reduce the need to replenish renewable resources and cut down on landfill waste. But starting a new habit isn't easy as pie. To get the whole household on board start small and build up. Options vary from curbside pickup to neighborhood collections, so consider the following ideas before forming a plan of action:

Collect your recyclables and donate to a center.
The most obvious answer to beginning a lifestyle change is by examining your garbage and making better use of it. Label spare containers with the products you intend to sort and recycle—glass, plastic, metals, and paper products. Check with your city as you might be provided with free bins and/or complimentary home pickup. Many facilities will offer cash for your recyclable products. Cans, bottles, and scrap metal are collected at the city dump and measured for payback. No, it won't make you an instant millionaire, but something is better than nothing.

If your family really gets into the spirit of recycling, take it a step further by organizing neighborhood collections. Advertise for them about a month ahead, then again a week out of your collection date, and bring transportation big enough to tote everything away. Even set up a bring-your-own-cup lemonade stand to draw in visitors and make an extra buck. Take away the neighborhood trash, earn some dough, and build community awareness. Check out Earth 911 for more information on local collection centers and up-to-date recycling prices.

Here are several current prices for your household recyclables:

1. Paper Products
   The going rate on one ton of paper is roughly $50. If you subscribe to the local paper, use paper in your house, or get junk mail, paper collection could be an ongoing moneymaker for you. Unless you plan on dropping off a collection monthly or weekly, clear a small space in the garage to stack paper. Routinely stack junk mail, newspaper, and computer paper in the designated area.
2. Aluminum Cans
   The going rate for aluminum changes daily, on average one pound of aluminum, or about 40 cans, is $.79. Many collection spots have reverse vending machines—pour cans in, get cash out. If you regularly collect from friends and family it can quickly add up to $500 per year. Keep a container in the kitchen and review with family members what to put in it. If you have multiple children, make it a game of how many cans or bottles each child can collect in a week. Even attach it to a small monetary prize or special reward! When you combine your own recyclables with your neighbors' the price tag adds up.
3. Cell Phones
   Before relegating last year's model to the closet floor, check with TradeMyPhone.com to see if you can score cash for it. Several phones in good condition will pay out pretty well. If your phone is in good condition and you received a free upgrade, sell the older phone on Craig's List for cash.
4. Plastics
   Consider water bottles, drink containers, cups, and lids. Simply because a green recyclable arrow logo is printed on the container does not mean it may be reprocessed. The arrow is meaningless and the number printed on it indicates the type of resin used during production. According to the Ecology Center, recycling plastics costs more than production of virgin plastic. Your best bet is to conserve and not use as much of it.
5. Batteries
   Household, car, and rechargeable batteries are in high demand. Currently car batteries can earn up to $4.50 and sometimes more. Centers will pay out $150 per ton of the household variety. Lithium batteries contain no toxic material and are 100% recyclable.

Repurpose your junk
Are you really about to toss out your deli potato salad container? Those things are better than Rubbermaid. Wash it out and use it again rather than buying their flimsy disposable counterparts. Before kicking the dining room chairs to the curb, could you refinish them? Chances are most of what you chuck can be reused or repurposed. The World Environmental Organization has a fabulous database of alterior uses for every conceivable household item.

Refrain from spending
Yes, this has a huge impact on recycling. Rather than consume tons of things we don't use and then pat ourselves on the back for putting it in a recycling bin, we can simply limit buying those things in the first place. Water bottles, grocery bags, paper napkins, paper plates, and single use batteries can be eliminated from your shopping list saving you money and reducing the need for excess production.

Sell your old stuff.
Consignment stores and thrift shops will often provide space to sell your stuff and give you a portion of the sale. Definitely consider this for larger items and only after you've tried to sell on eBay or Craig's List to avoid a middleman price cut. Keep it in good condition for better offers.

Buy recycled goods
I personally take issue with purchasing recycled toilet paper. The idea alone conjures unpleasant odors and doubts about the product. That being said, many of the products made from recycled goods are more durable today than they have been in the past. Purchasing recycled goods sometimes costs more, so look for sales. Some of our favorite brands are:

• Seventh Generation
  Order these environmentally friendly, non-toxic goods from Drugstore.com to save on shipping (minimum purchase order $65). While many of these products are not as durable or clean as well as others, they do a pretty good job and are soft on your skin. Definitely buy these in bulk from Amazon.com to get cheaper rates.
• Re-Inks Recycled Cartridges
  Often cheaper than their new counterparts, recycled cartridges are reducing excessive use and save you a couple of bucks. Don't forget to turn in your old printer cartridges for a $3 credit to Staples or Office Depot.
• Buy Recycled
  Buy Recycled catalogs a list of available recycled products for consumers. Most of the products sold cost less and get the same job done.
• Abundant Earth
  Abundant Earth markets everything recycled from gifts and furniture to lawn and garden products. While some of these items are offered at a special price, many products are higher in cost than traditionally manufactured goods.
• Treecycle
  Head to Treecycle for recycled office products, cleaning supplies, and food service. Although you may pay a little more for standard products, you'll probably be less wasteful with it and save money in the long run.

Don't get crazy
Our pervasive attitude of "recycling-as-hobby for the elite" must change before folks in flyover country (myself included) accept frugal living and environmental conscientiousness. We can't afford to guilt people into living an eco-friendly lifestyle. It doesn't work and the oppositional reflex urges people to buy 9 mpg SUVs. What makes universal sense is saving money. Adopting a few changes over time will have a longer lasting effect, rather than a New Year's resolution, knee-jerk purge.

As for fashion and reuse, beware of expensive "vintage tee" boutiques and $60 recycled Capri Sun handbags. Being eco-smart also means being frugal with all your available resources—cash included. Go to Goodwill or Salvation Army to craft your own originals if you truly want to recycle.

Next: Starting a Recycling Program