It amazes me how much paper my boys bring home from school. I know our teachers have no control over the number of worksheets and art projects our children are assigned to do. Every day I go through their papers and divide them into two stacks. For recycling now, and for continued use.
Continued use? What does that mean? It means that paper that has only been used on one side goes into a special stack that is used in our printers, for scratch paper, for drawing, taking home spelling tests, writing Christmas and birthday lists, cutting, taping and gluing together, etc. This paper has been used twice before it even goes into the recycling box.
Today is America Recycles Day. It’s easier than ever to recycle common household items. Our trash service offers curbside recycling and we don’t even have to separate the recycling goods.
What about clothing or textiles? If it’s gently used, consider donating to a thrift shop. The Kansas Human Society lists towels, blankets and washcloths on their wish list. Old jeans? If you are crafty, Wise Bread offers a list of 25 things to do with old jeans.
If you have kids, you probably have old tennis shoes not suitable for donating. Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program recycles old shoes into flooring for playground areas, indoor courts, running tracks and more. Unfortunately, the closest drop off location to me is in Kansas City. You can mail your shoes to Nike directly. Details are here.
Make a commitment to recycle just a little more every year. Help keep America beautiful!
Related:
2009: America Recycles Day
One Kansas Girl 