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Beyond the Trash Can to Recycling

      What did you throw away today?  If you are like most people, you will have to think for a moment before you answer that question.  Over the years, our tendency to buy and ultimately throw away has increased.  Though Americans represent a small portion of the world’s population, we produce over half its waste.  In one day we generate enough trash to fill the New Orleans Superdome—twice.

The idea of being wasteful makes most of us uncomfortable.  Yet, we continue to waste because we cannot think of anything better to do with leftover “stuff.”  We need to be aware of wastefulness and become educated to the potential of recycling.  November 15 is America Recycles Day (Website: www.americarecyclesday.org).  The basic principle is that people can and should take responsibility for the waste they create.  Used material is a resource not a nuisance. 

Recycling benefits everyone.  It saves money.  Instead of spending money, use your imagination.  Most of us have things tucked away in the back of a closet that could be put to re-use.  Hoarding is wastefulness.  As long as something is in storage, it is no good to you or to anyone else.  When you have a need, solve it with resources you already have rather than rushing out to buy still more.

On a larger scale, we can help communities save by recycling paper, magazines, cans, bottles and plastic. The professional organizer’s job is to educate clients to a recycling system that works for them.  Many consumer products would cost less if our nation as a whole recycled.  Paper makes up about 25% of our garbage, much of which could be diverted through recycling programs.

Recycling conserves resources. Statistics show that 64% less energy is required to produce paper from waste rather than using virgin wood pulp.  In the case of office paper, the equivalent of almost three barrels of oil is saved for every ton of paper recycled.  The manufacturing process from used paper, rather than from trees, requires half the amount of water with 60% less air and water pollution.

Finally, creating what we want from what we have is a rewarding form of self-reliance.  Discarded materials are free just waiting for our experiment in recylcing.  Much as we need to initiate large-scale efforts to recover wasted resources, each of us can contribute by developing a reuse reflex. Here are a few ideas to help you become more aware of recycling benefits. 

1.  During spring and fall cleanup, look for opportunities to make someone else happy.  Pass on special items to family or friends or donate to the library, church, school, hospitals, nursing homes or prisons.  

2.   Have a garage sale to reap payback.  Do not worry about keeping track of the receipts.  Generally, the IRS is not interested in personal sale items.  Chances are you will not be making a profit on anything you are selling through a tag sale.

3.  Computers - The National Cristina Foundation (NCF), a Connecticut-based foundation, makes it easy to donate Internet-ready computers to be recycled to disadvantaged young people.  Through its Person-to-Person Network, the nonprofit foundation arranges to transfer outdated equipment to physically and mentally challenged young people aged 7-25 at no cost to the donor or recipient.  NCF (www.cristina.org) also helps disabled youths create their own network by linking them to one another. 

4.   Eyeglasses and cases  -  The Lions Club collects eyeglasses and cases.  Drop off these used items at any optician, eyeglass store or in the front of most post office buildings.

5.   Floppy Disks  -  The National Waste Prevention Coalition (NWPC) has spearheaded a campaign to turn promotional floppy disks into valuable education commodities.  Recognizing that most of us let old 3.5-inch disks stack up in the bottom of a drawer, the NWPC’s Floppies for Kiddies program collects old diskettes—formatted or unformatted—erases them, and distributes the media to needy schools around the country.  Send them to USA CityLink Project, Floppies for Kiddies, 20349 Highway 36, Covington, LA 70433.

6.   Food  -  Donate to your local food pantry. 

7.  Greeting cards  -  Send all-occasion and holiday used greeting card fronts to:  St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s Street, Boulder City, NV 89005-1618

8.  Packaging peanuts, bubble wrap and shipping boxes  -  Bring these items to any local MailBoxes Etc or other similar shipping location.

9.  Toys  -  Search out the internet for places to donate new and good used toys.  www.google.com and use search word “toy donation.”

10. Women’s Clothing  -  How can a woman who is struggling to get on her feet in the competitive job market go on interviews without the appropriate clothing?  Dress for Success can help with your donations.  In 1996 Nancy Lublin, as a tribute to her great-grandfather, Poppy Max, founded this non-profit foundation.  During the Depression, he peddled household items out of a cart.  Nancy wanted to capture his faith in people and his understanding of personal struggle.  www.dressforsuccess.org  

When you begin to examine your home, closets, desk, inside of the car or any of the other corners where treasures have accumulated, you need to have a discerning eye.  Every possession has the capacity of bringing pleasure as well as the potential of becoming joyless clutter.   Be mindful of recycling.  It works for us all. 

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Bio

Judith Kirk, founder of Organizing Resources, provides organizing and coaching services to individuals interested in simplifying and organizing their personal and professional lives.  With a background in business and health care administration, Judith brings years of experience to professional organizing.   She teaches the concepts of being proactive—living a life on purpose.  Clients learn to use organizing principles in order to save time and money, increase productivity, reduce stress and enjoy life.  She empowers her clients to take action and accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible.