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This challenge is to create a home recycling center that is attractive and functional,
so it's easier for your family to go green, and recycle more of the waste created.
Step 1: Learn Your Local Regulations And Rules For What Can Be Recycled, And How.
The first step of the Trash and Home Recycling Center Challenge is to find out what types of items you can recycle in your area, and how you must present those items to be recycled.
Most municipalities or recycling centers have these rules available in a simple one or two page form for you to reference as needed. Make sure you get a copy and post them somewhere you can reference, close to the home recycling center you'll create.
Then, if you forget a rule or need a reminder you'll easily be able to glance and find out what you need to know, at least most of the time, and make it easier for yourself to keep up with your recycling efforts
Resource: Missouri's Materials Management Directory This Directory will allow users to find local contractors, vendors and drop off locations offering recycling, reuse, and disposal services.
Step 2: Consider Where In Your Home You Should Collect And Store Recyclable Items
The second step in the Home Recycling Center challenge is to consider where you should hold and store your recyclable items in your home. There are many factors to consider, which are discussed below:
The Main Categories Of Recyclable Items
The main categories of recyclable items include:
Paper
Plastic
Glass
Metals
Depending on your local rules, you may need to have separate containers for each of these types of items, or not.
Obviously, if you do need to separate them, multiple containers will take up more room, and therefore you'll need to be even more mindful of where you place them, or choose something attractive if it will be relatively large.
Label All Your Recycling Bins And Containers With What They Should Hold
Many times it isn't obvious that one container is for trash, versus another is for recycling. To alleviate this problem and any confusion it may cause for both family members and guests be sure to label all your recycling containers with the type of item it should contain.
Step 3: Develop A Routine For Emptying Trash And Recycling
The last step in the Trash and Home Recycling Center Challenge is to develop or keep your routine for emptying your trash and recycling, regularly.
Again, this seems really obvious, but you've got to keep removing the trash and recycling from your house on a regular basis to keep your home organized, and free of clutter.
Most of us already have a routine for taking out the trash from the kitchen, and also taking trash to the curb. Therefore, incorporating a similar routine for your home recycling center can piggy back on those tasks you already do and make incorporating recycling into your family's lifestyle simple.
I suggest dealing with your recycling in your home recycling center at least once a week. As part of that weekly routine I suggest doing the following:
Gathering all the recyclables from the satellite collection areas and placing them in the main home recycling center
Removing the contents from the main recycling center in your home and either taking things to the curb for pick up or moving them into your longer-term recycling storage in your basement, shed or garage
Emptying all the small trash cans throughout the house into one bigger bag, and taking that to the outside trash can
Taking outside trash cans to the curb for pick up
In addition, if you use the longer-term storage system for recyclables, you've also got to develop a routine to haul the recyclable items to the local recycling center from your home, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis.
STEP 4: Now it's your turn!
Start your recycling center at home!
Find a location
Get your parents' permission
Take a photo and share it with us.
To receive credit for your recycling center, submit a photo of your completed project to your teacher.
Click above to complete the certification and receive your Recycling button. Create a free account to take the Certification Program. After you complete the Certification Program, you will receive a button (pictured above).
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