Today it seems as if every company is trying to market on the green side. Corporate America knows that we consumers are being more and more conscious of what we are buying and how it is packaged. Recycling is huge and we want to support organizations who use recycled content in the packaging (buy recycled), with as little of the packaging (reduce), that may be able to be reused (reuse) before we ultimately send the packaging to the recycle bins (recycle).

However, I want you to note that sometimes companies will throw the chasing arrows symbol in a visible area, use the words recyclable and made with recycled content in order for you to pick their product over the competitions. 

Number one when looking to support recycling, make sure you are buying products that have recycled content in them. The label will say "Made with 30% recycled plastics resin" or something to the sort, don't pickup an item that has the chasing arrows symbol on it and assume the item is packaged with recycled content. The only assumption you can make by seeing this famous symbol is that some recycling program somewhere will accept the item.

Being able to recycle the items we purchase is important, but remember... if you want to support recycling.... you have to buy products which have recycled content in the item. This brings demand to the industry which will ensure the longevity of any local, state and federal recycling systems. Not to mention create jobs!! =)

We all want to recycle as much as we possibly can, but let's face it, sometimes it takes a lot of energy and thought to make sure every recyclable item you consume makes it to the recycle bin. Every person and family has a different setup in their home that may work for them. With our in-home recycle systems there are many things to consider and one big thing is space. 

Depending how many items you recycle and what type of collection system you have in your area, your recycling could take up a whole closet (like mine does), then another larger collection system in your garage (again like the area dedicated in my garage). However, sometimes due to the chaos a family sometimes creates, some good candidates for recycling end up in the trash!

While the majority of my recycling comes from my kitchen, recyclable items are generated in the kids room (packaging from new toys or clothes) and bathrooms (toilet paper tubes, clean shampoo bottles, etc). I used to hang onto these items, set them on the counter with the best of intentions of getting them to one of my two recycling areas and sometimes... aghh.. they got thrown away.

Well I have a solution now. In every room that I have a trash can, I also have one bin dedicated to recyclable items. Paper, paperboard, glass, plastic and cardboard all go into one recycling bin and on trash day, I take this bin to my recycle station and dispose of it properly.

Now I have cleaner counter tops and a cleaner conscience. All recyclable items in my household are actually taken care of in a responsible manner.

 I hope this helps some of you out there too!

What does Earth Day mean to you? To me, it is a day marked to honor the Earth, to publicize and remind the population that our Earth is important and we have a social responsibility to take care of it. To me it seems as though, at least Americans, we expect someone else to take care of our problems, fund the issues which cause us internal discrepancies. Some of us see garbage on the side of the road, on the sidewalk, and look away... keep walking.... keep driving.... thinking "I am too busy, I have an appointment, someone else will take care of it" or in the case of Livingston, "the wind will blow it way" quite possibly the sight of trash doesn't even register any emotion. It is just part of the scenery... I am not trying to blame anyone for littering or not taking responsibility of their own trash, because I am well aware that accidents happen, things fall out of overflowing trash cans, back of trucks, off of trailers.... The most well meaning individuals do make mistakes.

My point is that we all need to take part in cleaning up after ourselves and others whom may have accidentally littered. We can not depend on other organizations or government agencies to continually clean up after us. As everyone is well aware, our Federal government has to stop spending. Perhaps it is our time as a society to step it up a notch. Remember what JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what YOU can do for your country." Let us apply that to the Earth, knowing good and well that the earth is defenseless and susceptible to our every action.

Little things we do everyday can help clean up the air, oceans and earth. Turn the water off while you brush your teeth, turn the light off when you leave the room, turn your electronic devices off, even cell phone chargers plugged into the wall use power, walk when you can, use reusable shopping bags, grow a garden, support local businesses.  The list goes on.

I am aware that recycling, conservation and Earth Day draw political debates and tension with some, however, it shouldn't. It should just be a reminder to reduce a little, reuse what we can and then recycle what has come to the end of its normal life.

I would be surprised if someone who doesn't recycle would read such an entry, so those who do recycle, make it public. Peer pressure is real, leading as an example changes the behavior of others. Don't be pushy, ask kindly if your guest recycles and if they don't, don't cave and throw it in the trash. If a thrash can is offered, politely refuse and state you will take it to the recycling center your self. Throwing away perfectly usable substances is a waste. (This is my opinion.)

Cotton prices are drastically on the rise, you know what is being used more and more? Recycled PET or plastic #1.  But I digress.... stay tuned for more on that discussion....

The first celebration of Earth Day was April 22, 1970 and Friday is the 41st anniversary of the event. Earth Day was created to help remind us to do good for our earth, clean her, care for her and not to diminish her resources.

This Friday, April 22 , Reclaim MT is sponsoring 1/2 price drinks at the Montana Cup. Why? In the spirit of Earth Day and recycling, I wanted to do something green that would involve the community. How best to get people involved? Save everyone some money, or green! So the Montana Cup and Reclaim MT are saving YOU some GREEN in hopes of reminding you to BE green!

Join me from 8-9 am Friday to talk recycling!

Jamie

Monday April 18 was another great day for recycling with Reclaim MT. The south-side residential route really made this one count! Our residential customers recycled over 325 lbs of glass, 280 lbs of paper, 50 lbs of aluminum and metals and roughly 145 lbs of plastics. Considering recycling one aluminum can  saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours, I think our customers really went above and beyond today! Keep up the great work!