Recycle 2 Save

You are on a business-focused social media platform and there is a great post motivating consumers to recycle their PET bottles. It's an encouraging video showing all the potential "new" products the "old", recycled PET can become. The post focuses on the idea that these bottles are not only recyclable but an in-demand raw material that manufacturers are actually seeking. This is all an attempt to stoke the interest of the public and motivate them to recycle and keep bottles out of the landfill or worse, discarded as litter. What possible negative reaction could this post get?  Insert a snarky comment by someone who knows someone who had a job, at one time, that is semi-related to a position that assisted in the recycling of PET. They fire back that PET recycling back into a PET bottle isn't possible and/or profitable. This one comment is followed up quickly by a few other recycling naysayers "recycling is dead", "recycling can't be profit...

This has been in the works for quite some time now. Manufacturers have been discussing the logistics and how to spark interest and participation. I think it sounds like a wonderful plan but it will take extra effort and participation. Are you willing to pay the extra deposit and take the extra time needed to return the reusable packaging?  In my opinion, it will depend on circumstances. There are traveling and vacation occasions that don't lend well to the extra steps that would be required. Daily though, if the setup is easy enough, it just might be worth the little extra effort.  I do worry because we have posted repeatedly about the failure of recycling efforts. I don't see how the reuse efforts would be any different.  The process is only as good as the participants.  https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-environment-and-nature-united-kingdom-bbd9e1e7bfe999ae749f39155fd63078

"Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity - something few food and beverage packaging options can claim." By the Glass Packaging Institute.  Glass is an amazing material that can be recycled (and recycled, and recycled, and recycled....) glass can also be reused BUT... it currently poses many, many challenges to MRF's (material recovery facilities). Glass has been a problem for quite some time now but with the increase in single stream collection it's become an even larger hurdle. The good news is that it seems that the recycling of glass has increased but the bad news is that, at this point, in the form that it's often received in, it is not unilaterally able to be recycled. We need help and here's why:  1. Glass is breakable. As glass is placed in bins, transported, dumped at drop center(s), and processed the whole bottle tends to become many, many pieces. The pieces get mixed with...

I  can't think of a more fitting way to motivate others to recycle than to highlight (with just a few pictures) the stunning beauty all around us. Sometimes (heck, most times) we forget to take it in; just like the most special people in our lives we sometimes take for granted. This is really worth saving, my children adore the outdoors and all that it entails we need to keep it beautiful for them (and all of your future generations). 

We love Earth Day.   It reminds those who care but sometimes forget that they need to keep our environment and planet healthy and safe for the generations that will follow in our footsteps (those who currently don't have the power or voice to protect it themselves).  It motivates those who care but sometimes get caught up in their own lives and forget the true impact their personal decisions have on everyones future.  It celebrates the careful selections that each person makes when they focus on what their choices mean to others and our Earth.  It teaches children that of all the "stuff" that they possess some are absolutely irreplaceable.  We have only one planet for all our futures. 

We recently had a great giveaway on facebook that we asked our followers to guess what item in the picture was made from recycled content. I was hassled a little that everything in our offices should be made of recycled content. Unfortunately we aren't quite there but we are certainly trying. We have ensured that any new materials that we have purchased as promotional items contain a recycled content (if available).  Some products simply are not being produced using a recycled content but many are, it does sometimes require a bit more research and the variety is often more limited.  The good news is that it has never been easier. I have sometimes been left wanting but for the most part with a little determination, I have been able to find a product that falls within our requirements and was made from something that was diverted from a landfill. We need to let manufacturers know.. WE WANT recycled content products. The more we buy and the more vocal customers are the more op...

Unlike the month before a majority of the bins are full, some are even overflowing, switching to a single stream recycling program appears to be a success but wait, hold the presses. Single stream recycling has proven to be more enticing to most participants. It seems easier, less to know and less to do; who isn't about easier these days? The unfortunate result is a harder job at the recycling facility because despite higher participation there is also higher amounts of contamination. Our sorters who previously handled paper separation have transitioned into the mixed materials. Yes, garbage always happened occasionally (even when it was strictly paper) but not on the scale that the single stream collection has provided. Not only is sorting the mixed items not the most sought after job but it is also costly for the materials recovery facility who pays per ton for the material to be unloaded only to pay a higher per ton rate to have the waste/contaminants hauled away. As a ...

We have an entire pinterest board dedicated to #thisisworthsaving. It's all about the natural beauty all around us. We often ignore the amazing sunset, beautiful flowers, or breathtaking wildlife because we are so busy with our lists. I get it, I have many lists (heck, I even have lists for my lists). The problem is, the "important" things that we are tasked with doing each day couldn't be completed (or even matter at all) without all the amazing things that we are taking for granted. We need to realize that one day dedicated to our planet and keeping it green is a start but until we recognize the need to do that daily we are so far from where we need to be. Strive to make everyday Earth Day and encourage other around you to do the same, our futures depend on it.

Working for a company that deals daily with recycling and trying to keep our planet healthy gives true meaning to the comment that for us everyday is Earth Day. Our ultimate goal each day is to optimize recycling and reduce waste, which ends up in a landfill or worse dumped or littered. We get so excited for Earth Day because that seems to provide a spotlight on an issue that we feel should be a priority every day. Many times a common misconception for individuals and businesses alike is that Recycling and environmentally prefered options cost more money. We have taken pride in disproving this myth, many times recycling can save you money or can even become a source of profit (if the quantities are sufficient and handling methods are efficient). We can tell you how and provide free evaluations anyday, you don't need to wait for Earth Day! For so many Earth Day is a "fun" day that lets them attend a few fun events and maybe get some free stuff but what does Eart...