Recycle 2 Save

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. 

Around here (in PA) it finally feels like Spring is here! It's been a long winter but now it's time to soak up the sun... well after the April showers pass that it. Wishing everyone a happy Spring and a blessed Easter.

We are biased. There is no way around it, our company founders and current board members have been in the recycling industry pretty much their entire lives. They have some pretty solid feelings on single stream but as I've suggested, many times now, the people had spoken and we needed to make the change. The change that communities, companies, and residents alike were all requesting  are demanding. We reluctantly purchased the equipment, increased the staff, and had our sales team reach out to the haulers and local businesses... we successfully process single stream materials. It's been more than a full year now and we have some additional insight, which I don't think shocked any of us. 1. Increased volume does not equal increased recycling. This is another topic I've covered on this blog before, so many townships or companies advertise that since beginning single stream collection they have witnessed a significant increase in the recycling participation. The only p...

I pride myself in trying to make environmentally friendly choices and decisions. I try to avoid things that are used once and tossed. I was determined that as my son started 1st grade and was packing his lunches and snacks daily that we were not going to use the traditional throw away sandwich bags. I bought a bunch of reusable snack bags with cool designs that he could be proud to show off.  We had a bit of a tough start to the school year and it wasn't made any easier by complaints that his sandwich was a mushy mess by the time the lunch bell rang. Darnit.. my well thought out plan didn't work quite as I anticipated. So, determined to keep at it I put a standard sandwich bag on the outside and the reusable inside and began the war with my son.. complete with begging, pleading, idol threats and  "DO NOT THROW ME AWAY" signs. Then.. as I was doing some shopping I stumbled upon these bags.. and I must say.. YAY, they work!!  These baggies remind me more of th...

PAPER RECYCLING ONLY.  "What am I supposed to throw in here?".. the last question that you want someone asking when they are trying to rid themselves of waste. Ah.. people are looking at me.. quick, chuck it in the closest bin To avoid the confusion and increase participation be sure that you clearly label each and every bin. Make sure that everyone knows what goes in the bin (garbage, recycling) and what type of each if applicable (paper only, plastic only, compost, etc.) as well as what does not (please keep out garbage, food waste, plastic, etc). Recycling bins and waste bins should be put in areas that are easily accessible and in the common route of travel. If we make recycling just as easy as tossing the material in the garbage more people will do it.

Meet Rhonda..  She is a recycled puppy (sponsored by CRI) and we would love to help her find her forever home filled with love and snuggles. She is a current (long time) resident of Berks County Animal Rescue League. She is part of a great event to help her get adopted - The 12 Strays of Christmas - where the standard adoption fees are covered by an area business (so the adopter(s) can get her for free - before Christmas).  Go visit her.. online and in person.. I don't think you'll regret it! Update on Rhonda .. things happen quickly!! Rhonda has been pulled by a rescue (which now gives her a foster home to be spoiled in while she awaits her forever home). We will soon be updating with our new Stray of Christmas. Now we'd like you to meet "our" new Recycled Pup Cooper. He's adorable and is ready for his forever home. Stop by Berks County Animal Rescue League TODAY to meet Cooper or one of the other residents. You can change a pups life t...

Plastic grocery bags are fully recyclable and can be used in a variety of new products.. BUT (and it's a big but) many material recovery facilities that receive bags mixed in with the residential recycling will end up discarding them as trash. The equipment that processes the recycling has screens that will become clogged by the plastic bags creating a housekeeping issue (which does not allow the sorting equipment to run effectively). In some systems there have been adjustments made (air vacuum systems intended to suck the bags up) in order to assist in keeping these bags from being a potential problem but they aren't fail safe. To get the most out of plastic bag recycling place them in collection units setup to specifically recover them. Like all recycling .. the cleaner and more segregated you keep the material the more potential it has to be successfully recycled. Most grocery stores have displays/bins setup in the entrance. If your location fails to have these bins ...