One of the most critical actions anyone can do to help the environment is to recycle. Every day, people in St. Louis, MO, buy, use, and dispose of goods that can become something new and valuable for someone else through recycling. Without recycling, materials go to overcrowded landfills and the buy-use-dispose cycle begins again.
If you are thinking of getting a dumpster rental in St. Louis to clear your home or business of unwanted clutter, consider recycling instead! With the right tools, knowledge, and recycling tips, you can do your part to help the environment and implement the best junk removal solution available. Below is everything you need to know to get started.
Get Involved with Your Local Recycling Program
If you are new to recycling, consider joining a local recycling program to learn more about recycling and how you can reduce waste. Local programs are unique and may have specific rules concerning what people can and cannot recycle.
Recycling will reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, but it can also make your community more tightknit. Though major businesses and organizations have spent years working on recycling campaigns to raise awareness about the impact excessive consumer waste has on the environment, grassroots recycling efforts are just as important.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! Learn Ways to Reduce Waste
There are multiple ways to reduce waste and your carbon footprint over time. Small changes, like using reusable cloth bags at the grocery store or preparing meals at home to reduce waste from takeout, will make a lasting impact. You could also reuse food jars or purchase a stainless steel reusable water bottle instead of buying a plastic bottle of water whenever you’re thirsty.
Donating clothes, shoes, books, and other belongings is another way to reuse items and reduce waste. If you are renting a dumpster to clear out a basement, garage, attic, or office, you can rent from a company that offers recycling as a service. Your dumpster rental in St. Louis will help you get rid of junk and turn recyclable items into usable goods for other people.
Buy Products with Less Packaging for Less Waste
Recycling is not only about what you put in the trash bin; it also concerns the items you purchase. These days, many things in grocery stores and big-box stores have excessive packaging which contributes to waste. When possible, purchase items that do not have the potential for creating extra waste, like unpackaged bulk foods.
The fewer plastics and paper products you bring into your home or business, the less you will have to recycle in the future. Some environmentally friendly stores allow shoppers to bring in their personal reusable bags or containers to store and purchase loose foods like spices, nuts and produce.
Buy Eco-Friendly and Recycled Products
Some items in stores require some form of packaging, but you can choose eco-friendly options to minimize waste. The unfortunate aspect of this way of shopping is that you will likely spend more money on eco-friendly and recycled goods, but the cost is worth preserving the environment.
Consider spending money on items made of recycled materials because their production does not require as much energy as raw materials. Not only will you reduce how much waste you contribute to landfills, but, in many cases, you can also recycle your eco-friendly goods. While glass and aluminum are recyclable over and over, you can only recycle paper and plastic a couple of times.
At-Home Recycling Tips
Most people are not aware of what they can and cannot recycle, contributing to their hesitancy. The shortlist of recyclable materials includes cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. However, you cannot recycle electronics, batteries, or items with food contamination.
Before putting an item in a recycle bin, be sure to empty, clean, and dry it. Unless your local recycling program instructs you to put your recyclables in a plastic bag, leave them loose. Bags can make it difficult for sorting facilities to go through everything.
Some materials that you assume are recyclable might be more suitable for regular trash disposal. For instance, you should not recycle pizza boxes even though they are cardboard because the food and grease contaminate the material.
Contact Tidy Bug for Dumpster Rental
Choosing to recycle is one of the best ways to reduce waste, preserve natural resources, and make the environment cleaner. Embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle is a commitment, but it offers more rewards for you and your community. Even something as simple as contacting a dumpster bag rental company that recycles when possible will make a difference.
Tidy Bug Dumpsters specializes in dumpster rentals in St. Louis, MO, for residential and commercial projects. Our company will recycle materials clients put in our roll-off dumpsters and dumpster bags whenever possible. Contact our team today at 636-278-TIDY to inquire about our dumpster sizes and competitive prices.