Start Your Own Recycling Circle!

While DC curbside recycling accepts a lot of goods, most households generate a lot of goods that are re- or up-cyclable, but not in enough quantities to really make the effort worthwhile. The answer to this dilemma? - create your own recycling circle with friends. It’s easy! 

1) Gather a couple of friends/neighbors who are dedicated recyclers in on this idea. 

2) Decide what you (as a group) generate that you want to re- or upcycle. These good can include corks, energy bar wrappers, Brita filters, sneakers, denim, batteries, etc. 

3) Decide who in the group will commit to recycling what…and designate that person the point person for re- or upcyling that particular product. 

In my neighborhood, folks know that I upcycle corks and recycle batteries. Our local liquor store collects corks for me, and once a month I pick them up, add in the other corks I get from work, friends and my own stash and drop them off at a Whole Foods. Another friend collects energy bar wrappers and sends them off to Terracycle – which will even pay for the shipping! Proceeds go towards a local elementary school. Check out the right side of this blog to find places to re- or up-cycle your goods. If you don’t see what you want to recycle there, check out Terracycle to see if they have an ongoing brigade for your goods. While you’re at it, check out the wide list of environmentally friendly Terracycle products (gifts, toys, school supplies, cleaning products, patio furniture, etc) that are made from these recycled goods.

Don't Underestimate the Power of the People

It's easy enough to fall into the trap of thinking that you as an individual have no power to change the world for the better. But, in fact, in the last six months, we've seen some clear examples that prove just the contrary. Bank of America reneged on its banking fees. The Susan B. Komen Foundation learned that people felt strongly that they should support Planned Parenthood and JC Penny decided to continue to keep Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson – despite her sexuality. Now, it’s your turn. Do you know where your toilet paper comes from? Buy toilet paper that is made from recycled and/or sustainably sourced content. Below is a video showing which brands (like Paseo) to avoid as well as a list of major US companies that have stopped sourcing Paseo – and other companies have done nothing. Call these supermarkets and let them know that you’re watching what they do. One person can make a difference!

Cork It!

CORKWATCH is an app from ReCork that lets you know which wines use REAL corks (good!) versus those ugly plastic corks(bad!).  It also allows YOU to add new wines to the list. The site is compatible with all mobile devices and super intuitive.CORKWATCH also has a searchable database and map that allows you to find a drop off location for corks in your area.  Most Whole Foods will also accept real corks...as will Firefly restaurant in DC (and you can just drop them off there..you don't have to stay for a meal - though you should as the food is sustainably sourced and fab!)  For more information as to why you should opt for wines with cork stoppers, check out the WWF Report, "Cork Screwed?"

The 1,2,3s….and 4,5,6 and 7s of Plastics and Recycling in DC

Everyone’s seen those numbers on plastic packaging, but until recently, I really didn’t know what they meant.  Here’s the 411 in a nutshell. 

The numbers you’ll see range from 1 to 7 and refers to the type of plastic that’s been used to make that product. For you, it’s also a shorthand for potential health risk and the recycle-ability of the product. Fortunately, in DC, plastics of all numbers EXCEPT PLASTIC#6 (Styrofoam) are recyclable. Plastics#6 (Styrofoam) and plastics of any number that are made into food (saran) wrap, “clamshells”, motor oil or pesticide containers aren’t recyclable in DC.

A few more details on each of the plastics are provided below:

• Plastic #1, polyethylene terephtalate, is also known as PETE or PET.  Think soda bottles. It’s considered safe but porous, so it's best not to reuse these containers. Plastic#1 is recyclable in DC.
• Plastic #2 is high density polyethylene, or HDPE. Think milk jugs. It’s considered safe and is recyclable in DC.
• Plastic #3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  Goods include food wrap, cooking oil bottles, and plumbing pipes. It’s not considered safe to cook food in or near it. DC recycles Plastic #3.
• Plastic #4 is low density polyethylene (LDPE). Think grocery bags, ziplocks, some food wraps, squeezable bottles, and bread bags. It’s considered safe. Plastic#4 is recyclable in DC.
• Plastic #5 is polypropylene and used for yogurt cups other wide-necked containers as well as medicine, ketchup, and syrup bottles, and straws. Plastic#5 is safe and is recyclable in DC.
• Plastic #6 is polystyrene, or Styrofoam. There’s some evidence that Plastic#6 leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Plastic#6 is not recyclable in DC.
• Plastic #7 is essentially “what's not plastic 1-6” including polycarbonate plastics and BPA. Common products include iPods, computer cases as well as some baby bottles and food storage containers. Plastic#7 is also used for milk/soda crates, plastic buckets with metal handles, plastic laundry baskets, plastic lawn furniture, plastic totes, plastic drums, plastic coolers, plastic flower pots, plastic drinking cups/glasses, plastic 5-gallon water bottles, plastic pallets, and plastic toys and all of these are recyclable in DC. 

I used this article to write this post.  It's a great resource for the health benefits of the various plastics. 

DC Government Posts Hazardous Waste Disposal 2012 Calendar!

Hey Folks, the DC Government has posted Hazardous Waste/E-cycling disposal dates for 2012 at the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Road, NE.  You’ll (very likely) need a DC Driver’s License that does not have an apartment address to get into the facility.  Below, you’ll find a list of acceptable items and a calendar can be found below that.  Send an email out to friends and neighbors and take turns going up to the facility every month or so.  There’s usually not a long line and you’ll be in and out before you know it!  More information on the program can be found at: http://dc.gov/DC/DPW/Services+on+Your+Block/Recycling/Household+Hazardous+Waste+-+E-cycling-+Document+Shredding

Acceptable Hazardous Waste	Acceptable E-Cycling
Acids Aerosols Antifreeze Asbestos tile Batteries Cleaning chemicals Drain openers Fluorescent light bulbs Furniture stripper Stains Varnish Fertilizer Lighter fluid Mercury thermometers and mercury containing devices Moth balls Motor oil Paint Pesticides Poisons Roofing tar Solvents/thinners Transmission fluids Windshield wiper and Brake fluids Wood preservatives	Audio/visual equipment Audio cassettes Camcorders CD Rom drives CDs/DVDs Cell Phones Computers and monitors Connectors / Cords / Wire Copy machines Fax machines Floppy drives Hard drives Memory chips Network / Video / Sound cards Pagers Power supplies Printers Scrap computer plastic  Scrap computer metal Tape drives TVs VCRs VCR tapes Video games & Software

 

2012 DC Hazardous Waste/E-Cycling Dates
Thursdays(1pm-7pm) ·         January 5 ·         February 2 ·         March 1 ·         April 5 ·         May 3 ·         May 31 ·         July 5 ·         August 2 ·         August 31 ·         October 4 ·         November 1 ·         November 30 ·         January 3, 2013	Saturdays (8am-3pm) ·         January 7 ·         February 4 ·         March 3 ·         April 7 ·         May 5 ·         June 2 ·         July 7 ·         August 4 ·         September 1 ·         October 6 ·         November 3 ·         December 1 ·         January 5, 2013



What to do with all that holiday stuff?

 The DC Government seems to still be hanging on to 2011 as there's not much information about Christmas tree or hazardous waste disposal for 2012 out there yet.  It seems that in DC, free curbside pick-up of Christmas trees will run January 3-14, 2012. After January 14, trees are not recycled but can be picked up with trash on regular delivery days as space in the trucks allows. Find details at http://dpw.dc.gov/dc/dpw. This website has info on Christmas tree recycling in MD and VA.

As for wreathes, why not throw them on your yard and let them decompose over the next month or so? You can also take them off the wire, and throw the branches into the Christmas tree pile...or better yet, into your fireplace.

Meanwhile, St. Jude's Ranch for Children has a greeting card recycling program. They operate year round, so consider starting a card recycling program at work and/or with your

friends.  A couple of specifics:

• They accept all types of greeting cards, including Christmas cards.
• You need only send the card front (please ensure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.).
• No Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards, please.
• 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred.

You can also BUY cards for all occasions from these same folks!

Mail donations to :

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

Tis the Season - to Freecycle



T'is the Season to Freecycle!





 With the holidays nearing their end ...and the new year coming on, it's a great time to purge and Freecycle!  Freecycle DC is a great place to find or advertise goods you want or want to get rid of.  You can opt out of the emails - or just get the daily journal if you want to minimize traffic. Craig's List DC also has a FreeSection.  But, even a walk around your neighborhood might render some great gems!  My dog and I found this grill on a morning walk.  One of the 5(!) burners was broken, so it was being thrown out! 

Give Locally!

Day 12

So during this time of giving, don’t forget a gift – or your time to your favorite local charity.  With the economic downturn, contributions to most charities are down, and the smaller non-profits operating on shoe string budgets really feel the pinch.  DC has a wealth of charitable organizations that address a wide variety of causes:  Food&Friends provides and delivers cooked meals to people with life threatening diseases, Martha’s Table provides food, clothing and educational opportunities to at risk folks, Street Sense helps get homeless folks back on their feet; and the Washington Animal Rescue League and the Washington Humane Society find homes for rescued pets.  There are many more!  Help make DC a better place for all of us!

Ditch (even more) Plastic!

Day 11

Plastic containers are petroleum based, and some contain Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Bisphenol A (BPA) which are now being questioned for their impact both on the environment and human health.  Glass and stainless steel storage bowls are a great green storage option – and are great containers for taking lunch to work.  I’m amazed how many people still microwave in a plastic container.  Glass is microwavable and it’s a much better option than microwaving plastic.  Take one of these along with you on your next dine out, and forego the Styrofoam doggie bag.

Occupy DC businesses…buy it LOCALLY!!

DAY 10

Whatever you buy this holiday season, buy it locally and support DC owned businesses.  The City Paper has a great DC local shopping guide and the search engine Milo.com will help you buy things locally…though most of their businesses seem to be major retailers. Pay in cash, and the proprietors will appreciate you even more - as they'll avoid the credit card fee they have to pay on every transaction.

Make your own sparkling water!

DAY 9

Get some plastic bottles out of your…or someone else’s life by getting them a machine that makes fizzy water.  There are lots of brands out there these days..Soda Stream seems to be the most popular brand.  Buy one locally instead of on line! Hill's Kitchen is just one of many local stores that carries these!