Thank you Recycling Simplified by Republic Services for sponsoring this post. Learn more about recycling by visiting the Recycling Simplified website today!
As a mom, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I want to help the environment by recycling the correct items. Today I’m sharing how to make recycling in the kitchen a no-brainer with a free recyclable printable. This printable is perfect for those busy families and guests that may hesitate on what they can recycle in the kitchen. This printable can be added to the refrigerator or pantry so that everyone will know which items are safe to recycle. I’m also sharing some helpful and free recycling resources available from Recycling Simplified that are available for everyone (including teachers and students!), so keep reading!
Did you know that on average, about 30% of what consumers put in their recycling containers doesn’t belong there? Items that are contaminated with food, liquid, or other residues can ruin an entire load of recyclables. For instance, a ketchup bottle with ketchup still inside it should be rinsed out first.
Have you found yourself “wish-cycling?” Wish-cycling is throwing items in the recycle bin and hoping they can be recycled. From garden hoses to bowling balls, non-recyclable items should be disposed of in the trash, reused or donated. That is why I am providing this free printable (click HERE to download it!) on the basics of what can be recycled in the kitchen.
Recycling can be as simple as 1-2-3.
1. Stick to these three basic categories of materials and when in doubt, throw it out:
- Paper and cardboard
- Metal or aluminum cans
- Plastic bottles and jugs
2. Empty. Clean. Dry. Keep all recyclables free of food and liquid to avoid contaminating an entire truckload.
3. Don’t bag it. Never put your recyclables in containers or bags unless your community program requires that.
**Check with your local recycling company about glass.**
Recycling Simplified Free Resources for Everyone and Teachers
Everyone can take charge and be a large part of what gets recycled. In 2018 Republic Services launched the Recycling Simplified education campaign to educate families with the basics when it comes to recycling. You can visit the website RecyclingSimplified.com for helpful offers, tips, videos and resources to help reduce what goes in the landfills.
The Recycling Simplified Education Program is wonderful for teachers. They can learn how to teach their students about recycling with step-by-step lesson plans and supporting materials including activities, videos, student certificates and handouts for students to bring home. This makes the experience fun and exciting for the students and gives them the valuable tools they need to learn more about recycling.
There are lessons for each grade level and they build upon students’ understanding and help them gain greater awareness of the broader environmental, sustainability, and societal issues related to recycling and its role in conserving natural resources. The lessons are flexible in that they can be taught as a unit or individually (whatever fits best for the students and a teacher’s lesson plan). I know these will be a great tool to share the building blocks for children on how to recycle efficiently and effectively in the present and future.
Are you interested in learning more about recycling? Be sure to check out the Recycling Simplified and learn more about how to recycle correctly.
