Did you ever pause to think about what happens to your trash once it leaves your residence? It can appear to vanish at the curb, but in reality, your waste embarks on a path that has consequences for your well-being, your community, and even the world. Coast to coast, communities are embracing the potential of composting and recycling—not as hipster eco-chic culture, but as a concrete, day-to-day habit that works towards creating cleaner, healthier communities to call home.
Recycling and Composting: Beyond Good Habits
Composting and recycling are not chores—these are incredibly efficient ways of looking after ourselves and future generations. Recycling eliminates the necessity to mine resources like timber, water, and minerals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resulting in less destruction of forests, less wasted water, and fewer greenhouse gases released into the air through landfills and incinerators.
Confused by the Bins? You’re Not Alone
Let’s face it: determining what goes in what bin sometimes can be bewildering. That greasy pizza box is recyclable? And what about that yogurt cup or glass sauce jar?
The good news is that after a bit of instruction, separating your trash can become second nature. The majority of municipal recycling programs will take:
- Paper and cardboard
- Plastics with the 1–7 identification
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum and steel cans
Compost-friendly common items include:
- Food waste such as fruit, vegetables, bread, eggshells, and coffee grounds
- Dirty paper products such as napkins and pizza boxes
- Yard trimmings, depending on your program
But some things—such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, batteries, and electronics—never go in your recycling or compost piles and often need special drop-off.
How Communities Are Stepping Up
Additional towns and cities are implementing more transparent, more user-friendly recycling programs to make it easier for residents to get it right. For example, the Town of Parker signed on to the National League of Cities’ Recycle Right Pledge and made a commitment to enhanced recycling education and community engagement. In other locations, entities such as the Wright County Compost & Recycling Facility and the drop-off centers of Mecklenburg County provide collection for everything from household hazardous waste to electronics and yard trimmings.
Even during periods of facility renovation or transition, these programs continue to improve to keep on delivering services, a testament to the dedication of local governments toward minimizing landfill waste and helping residents to do their share.
Making It Work at Home
Having an accessible system in the home is the best way to create long-term recycling and composting habits. Try:
- Color-coding bins or using simple, legible labels
- Leaving bins in uncovered, high-traffic areas like the kitchen or garage
- Hanging a “what goes where” sign for an easy glance
Make sure recyclables are clean and free of food residuals to keep them from being contaminated, and don’t forget that compost bins are only for food scraps and organic yard waste—no plastic, glass, or metal.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Recycling and composting might seem like small, everyday actions—but collectively, they can spark real change. You’re also building a cleaner, more sustainable future—one bottle, banana peel, or cereal box at a time.
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