Gina Noe
Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day. This is a day devoted to teaching Americans how to improve their recycling habits. Here are a few tips to help you follow the 3 R’s – reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Reduce
Reduce the amount of waste you produce by considering purchases before making them. Could you borrow the item or share the purchase with someone else? Buy frequently used items in bulk, but do not buy more than can be used before spoiling. Purchase items that do not have excess packaging.
Reuse
Reuse items whenever possible. When shopping, use reusable bags. Some groceries even offer discounts for bringing reusable bags. Coffee cans, butter tubs and jelly jars can be used to store items around the home. Save paper towel tubes, glass jars and shoe boxes for craft projects, or donate these items to a local daycare center, school, or church. Consider donating used items to charities or community groups before throwing the items away.
Recycle
Just about everything can be recycled. If your neighborhood does not have curbside pick-up for recyclables, they can be dropped at the Richmond/Madison Recycling Center, 550 Recycle Dr. in Richmond (behind Sherwin Williams), 24 hours a day. The center is also open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for recyclers who need help unloading or to answer questions about their services. Carolyn Jennings, the environmental awareness educator, offers tours of the facility and is also available to speak to groups about services, benefits of recycling and recycled products. Call 625-0202 to schedule a tour or speaking engagement.
The Recycling Center is sponsoring a special pop tab collection this year. The center will accept pop tabs through April 19, 2010, to be recycled to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Lexington, a home away from home for families of seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment at Lexington-area hospitals. The fund helps families with items they need during their stay at the house including groceries, gas cards, prescription medicines, and clothing.
So, don’t forget to celebrate America Recycles Day by reducing the amount of waste you produce, reusing what you can and recycling what is left over. These actions will benefit the environment, save money and possibly help others.
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
