Recycle 2 Save

We had a fun little game on our Facebook page of guess what recycled item this was made from (it was a Christmas Decoration and was made from newspaper/adverts). We got a few correct guesses and ultimately one winner (congrats!). I think it pays to play. I absolutely love these anvil sustainable tees and can be caught wearing these CRI logo ones even when "I'm off the clock". They are so soft and durable. The Lily Bloom tablet case is a really neat pattern and also made from recycled content. We love to share the amount of really cool things that are made from your "trash" and find it only fitting that your prizes are as well.     Like these.. check out our Facebook page for recycling news and other chances to play and win!

Isn't seeing the end product one of the most effective forms of motivation? That is why we are constantly shown before and after weight loss pictures. Consider this my motivation for you. Keep it Green!   A few months ago I posted about a dog harness that was made from 100% recycled plastic (PET to be exact). The holiday decoration below has two things in common with the harness..   1. It's made from (mostly) a recycled item. 2. If you guess correctly you can be entered to win.   Check out our FB page and guess to be entered to win. Even better if you are new to our page or just haven't LIKED us yet  (what are you thinking?) you'll get even more chances to win. If you already LIKED us.. just pass this along to someone else for you to also be rewarded with extra entries in the drawing.   Here is our Facebook page just in case you'd like to go check it out (I really think you should).  

Has anyone ever told you something and you buy into it.. you eat it up and walk away thinking, "Wow, I feel better about that person or that company"? Have you ever woke up the next morning or even just tried to explain it to someone else and as you are talking it out it just doesn't make sense anymore. I have. I've watched little news blurbs, read quick headlines or even what I thought was the the whole story only to look into it further and realize that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.  I've listened to a presentation only to later find out that either the presenter wasn't fully upfront (or to give them the benefit) wasn't completely informed. Many times in our industry this can be traced back to green washing. Companies or individuals want you to think that they are doing the right thing. They bank on the fact that you won't ask how. I am not an engineer and (unlike my husband and son) I don't really appreciate a good episode of ...

I apparently don't have the whole auto post thing down. I thought I did and it sure did seem simple enough but my "scheduled" Happy Thanksgiving post didn't happen as I expected. Sure this is a blog about keeping our planet healthy and green but it's so important to do that for our future. So.. in the spirit of being tardy for the party.. Wishing all a very Happy Holiday Season. It's never too late to give thanks.. on Thanksgiving and every day. What am I thankful for?? So much! Of course, my entire family but specifically, a wagon full of blessing and an amazing man to pull it (with me of course).   What about you? What are you thankful for?

I'm still trying to recover from the political election season. I can't help but feel like even informed voters weren't necessary informed based on solely truth. I'm not a very politically minded person. I certainly have my own beliefs and feelings and I have never subscribed to the philosophy that when I rant about how I feel you will adjust how you do. What if you were promised the whole story (just the truth and nothing but the truth), wouldn't that make voting so much easier? To relate this to the our industry we are happy to try and provide the full story about recycling and our recommendations. I have mentioned the Single Stream versus Dual Stream "debate" in the past. If you remember discussing single stream, I'm sure you remember my view on the situation. We stand strongly behind the idea of not mixing items together (especially food and drink containers that don't tend to be the cleanest to begin with) only to later separate t...

Oh wow, how clever . Once you get beyond my title ..  check out a a recent email question and my thoughts. So the question/statement was: "I recently saw a commercial on tv about a new tube less toilet paper roll.. when the technology is available (patent runs out) don't you think that all companies should be required to get rid of the useless tube and help save trees?" Funny you should ask, I saw that commercial too and it also made me think (I guess they deserve credit for getting us talking).  I believe in the power of the people, as frustrating as that may be. I think that it is our responsibility to be educated about our planet and our direct effect on it. Since we are a free market society if we, as consumers, are educated and demand better environmental standards we'll get it (the producer will have no choice). I don't believe that the government needs to step in and say that no manufacturer can make toilet paper with cores because some people ...

With fear of totally embarrassing myself (with zero comments) .. I am going to do this anyway. Please comment and give me your input. What do you want to hear about? Everyone wants to know if what they are doing is really "hitting the spot". Are there any recycling topics or "green" issues that you'd like to learn more about? Don't be scared (despite the really scary little guys above).. please write. I aim to please.

  Ever thought that you were on the right road only to discover that you should have take the exit a few miles back? Unfortunately using it as a metaphor the road that a business owner, parent, heck human being should choose isn't always clear or marked, and is almost never absolute. Sometimes the joys in life are discovered by taking the "wrong" road or the "long cut" (as we've so loving described my fathers sometimes disastrous shortcuts). As a business owner you often don't have time or the available funds for an exploratory journey; you really just need a quick, short path.   Waste reduction and recycling is unfortunately a path that is unique to each business. There is no exact plan written that will work for every location or material they generate. It is also so important that someone with first hand knowledge can direct and guide decision makers about things they aren't supposed to know in depth. The knowledge required to run each...

9.11.01

Save the Date! September 15th It'll be a good one, don't miss it!!  Help to save some trees and landfill space and clean up some of the extra "stuff" lying around your home. We'll be joined by Y102 (of Reading) and will be offering free hot dogs, soda and balloons from 10am till 12:00noon. The first 10 customers will receive a free tee shirt so get there early. We are so pleased to have a Recycling Community Day at CRI (in Hamburg). We'll be providing the standard drop off services (Paper Items, Commingle Material <plastic,glass,cans> , and our metals buyback center). We are working with Responsible Recycling Solutions (of Kutztown) to offer EScrap collection. Lancaster Oil is collecting used oil for reprocessing. Any questions on what you can bring or event details don't hesitate to email us!!

It's the last day of our contest. Coleese would love for you to participate and be entered to win (she promised the boss she'd get us some more FB likes). Need some motivation? **This is a picture taken from Anvil.   These Anvil Sustainable tee's do not disappoint. Go to our FB page and give your guess. Correct guessers are entered to win. HINT: check out the comments.. and you'll be sure to get the right answer. Hope to see you there soon!   http://www.facebook.com/recycle2save?ref=hl#!/recycle2save This is Coleese trying to use the power of persuasion..look into her eyes.   

CONTEST!!! Meet Coleese. She has a very tough job as a floor warmer. She is also a very smart girl because she's very environmentally aware. On our CRI facebook page we are having a contest in an effort to provide a bit of recycling education. Something in the above picture has been recycled. If you go to the Facebook page and make a correct guess (there are some hints in the comments) you will be entered to win a tee shirt and beverage cooler (also made from recycled materials). Go check it out and don't forget to LIKE US! http://www.facebook.com/recycle2save?ref=hl

CRI is so very proud to be recognized as a 2012 Waste Watcher Award Recipient.

Where have I been? Here,there, and everywhere. I've been gone for a while but yet, I didn't go anywhere. Haven't noticed? (please don't burst my bubble) I'm sure that every one's life works the same way.. in this instance at least. Sometimes you're just busy. There isn't always a specific calendar filled to the brim (it's full sporadically but from the outside it doesn't appear all that busy) but as the hours turn into days and days to weeks. . you just don't seem to have a spare minute. The frightening part is that you look back in disbelief at another week gone by and don't even know quite where it went. Despite running around (at times like a chicken sans head) you can't even really remember what you did. I despise these times .. because so many things get thrown to the back burner and projects that you've been meaning to get done just can't seem to make it to the completed list. I sometimes let the "real" cleanin...

Incoming and Outgoing. The top photo is baled material as it arrives to our Hamburg, PA location. The bottom photo is as bales are leaving on the way to be made in to new (recycled) products. Stay tuned.. the next time you see them, may be in your grocery cart (we hope). Buy Recycled!

It was a gorgeous, blue skied day; the perfect day for a walk. We'd get to take in the picturesque beach scenes while completing a mission – gather some food for the week’s vacation. Granted, the perfection of the day required some time at the pool, ocean, or at least the protection of the shade to cool you and keep you from melting. So we set out on the ½ mile hike down to the local grocery store, kids in tow and plans in mind, eager to get back. We enjoyed a nice walk there and were happy to kill off a little of the extra vacation energy the children had built up. Everyone knows that family beach vacations tend to require a good deal of snacks, food, and drink.   Generally it is one of the first missions, especially on those that include a plane ride and no option for packing them. There were a lot of "needs" so we came armed with a list. We navigated the aisles and loaded the cart making our way to the register. As t...

Containers, Containers, Containers .. how many options do we have.. way too many to put in this post.                                                                                                         As much as this blog is from my personal point of view, I also like to share glimpses of the facility. I am hoping that by sharing a few photos you'll get an insiders view. Interested in seeing anything special? Just ask.

Learn a bit more about your recycling. What happens to it after the curb? Trash to Treasure Teaser. It's Tonight, Don't Miss It!! WFMZ channel 69 at 7:30pm

So, I have to admit I love Graphic Design but I only dabble. I have known for a long time what is available (or so I thought) via Photoshop but I would start to work on something and the options kinda freaked me out, I'd get overwhelmed and confused then I'd run back to the comfort of Publisher. I was lucky enough to attend a Photoshop training course this week and I'm super excited to test out my skills. Isn't if funny how things look SO EASY when someone else is doing it? I watched the instructor with that "Oh I got this" look on my face. When the classes were over for the day I ran back to my computer like a child with a new toy but my toy (my mind really) wasn't quite performing. I had the same version as the trainer BUT mine wasn't working quite as well. So, that being said I think I have some practice in my future but I have to say once I get this down .. Oh the wonderful things I'll be able to do  I know it's pretty basic BUT .. ...

It's just about the time that children are getting released from classes and summer will really begin. I've recently heard so many mama's saying.. " what will we do with them ?" Could I provide some green ideas? 1. Plant a garden - My son loves to play farmer. This is win, win because not only will they have a chance to dig and get dirty but then you'll reap the reward of fresh and chemical free fruits and veggies. My children are convinced that the fruit & veggie they grow taste significantly better then any we could buy .. even from a local farm. 2. Adopt a local roadway - I get that depending on your childs age this might not be the best idea but if you can feel confident that there will be no run away children what could be better then putting on some work gear and cleaning up our planet? Allow them to really get into it and put on all the safety gear (yellow vest, safety glasses, gloves, heck even a hard hat). This will have a real, immediate ...

It's the first day that our logistics/dispatch team, vehicle maintenance manager & Matthew Cougle got to enjoy the new building and their offices. It's brand spankin' new which can be gathered by the smells of fresh varnish and paint. It's a beauty and a lot more space then they are used to. Please note:  I was sneaking around undetected and caught them in action (everyone was hard at work). Above: Members of our dispatch team Staff Training/Meeting Room Below: Outside our window                               

Not really recycling or environmentally related. Well, sort of. Anyone who had been around CRI through out the last 13 years has most likely had the occassion to meet one of our mascots. If not, meet my Duice. Best dog ever. Today, heaven has been blessed with an amazing dog and we are missing him greatly. Through the tears it brings a smile to my face to know that he'll be healthy again, strong and running, pain free. You will be forever remembered and loved.

So I've been talking up our refresh of an old favorite of ours (no, we aren't at all biased). I am proud to announce that we now have real air times. It'll be on WFMZ Channel 69 June 18 @ 7:30pm August 20 @ 7:30pm November 29 @ 7:30pm To recap just in case you weren't paying attention Trash to Treasure is a 30 minute show which explores your recycling and what really happens to it. We give an insiders view of our facility and some of our amazing customers were kind enough to do the same (for the promotion of recycling & composting). We do have plans of posting a down loadable version on our website (after the air date) which can be used to educate others. I am pretty excited (couldn't tell?) Just a few teasers:

Picture of the Day. A view of our food waste collection vehicle. As much as this blog is from my personal point of view, I also like to share glimpses of the facility. I am hoping that by sharing a few photos you'll get an insiders view. Interested in seeing anything special? Just ask.

I didn't post anything last week (during Earth Day week nonetheless..GASP) because I was in beautiful, sunny St Maarten. Please, don't be angry (or jealous..it was pretty nice) and stop reading. I promise the catching up that is required upon my return will stand as my punishment. We are still in the Earth "week" craze. I love it. It's so much fun to get out and interact and educate (especially children). We are always so happy to share about our business and recycling in general. The key to increased recycling is education!