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ECO-LIVING Tips
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...
Tip #1
Reduce is the most important practice in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Reduce means to use less—use fewer material goods and resources. Using less means buying less which helps save money along with conserving important resources. A few simple ways to reduce: use coffee mugs instead of disposable cups, buy in bulk to save on packaging material, and cancel unwanted catalogs and mailings. You can explore many other easy ways to help save resources, energy, and money—everyday!
Tip #2
Reuse to lengthen the life of the items we use. Purchase durable goods instead of disposable items, buy and sell used goods, rent or share goods and equipment, and maintain or repair items that we have already. Reusing items keeps these goods out of the waste stream, creates less pollution than buying new or recycling, and saves money in both purchasing and disposal! A few simple ways to reuse: use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for all purchases, use stainless steel or other durable drink containers instead of disposable bottles and donate unneeded items to Reuse facilities, such as re:Create—Mahoning Valley's Material Exchange.
Tip #3
Recycle is the process of collecting used materials and reprocessing them into new products. Important materials to recycle include paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, tires, aluminum, iron and steel. Curbside collection is a convenient option offered in many communities. Recycling drop-off and collection sites for materials are located throughout Mahoning County. The recycling drop-off site at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click to see items that are accepted at this location.
Organic waste such as leaves, kitchen scraps and yard waste can be recycled by composting, either at home or at community sites. Electronics and Household Hazardous Waste Collections, sponsored by The Recycling Division of Mahoning County, offer residents a way to recycle materials such as batteries, pesticides, used motor oil, cleaners, oil-based paints, fluorescent bulbs and electronics to avoid contamination of the wastestream and the environment.
Recycling reduces pollution as less pollution is created by recycling than by the manufacturing of new materials. Recycling also saves energy. Recycling aluminum, for example, saves 95% of the energy that would be used to process new aluminum. The energy saved by recycling one aluminum can is enough to run a television for three hours! Recycling also reduces landfill waste and the costs associated with trash disposal. Recycling also helps conserve our precious natural resources. If all newspapers were recycled, over half a million trees would be saved each week. Recycling also reduces litter. You can help your community by putting litter in its place and recycling!
Tip #4
WARM WINTER ITEMS:
Winter in northeast Ohio can be brutally cold. If you have gently worn winter items that you have replaced, you may want to consider donating your coats, mittens, scarves, and hats to a local charitable organization. Many coat drives take place in November & December, but it's never too late to help those in need stay warm during the cold seasons.
COMPUTERS:
Goodwill Industries International and Dell have a free drop-off program for people who want to recycle any brand of unwanted computer or accessory. Local participating Goodwill centers include Boardman, Calcutta, Liberty, Salem, and Warren. Donation receipts for tax purposes are available upon request. For information go to http://www.goodwillyoungstown.org/
TIP #5
CELL PHONES | IPODS | MP3 PLAYERS | BLACKBERRY:
If you have an old cell phone (or similar electronic gadgets) you will inevitably upgrade it one day to a new model. What do you do with your old one? Make this year an environmentally friendly one and go green by recycling your out-dated electronics. You can get cash by selling it or you can support a charitable cause by finding a collection site for cell phones. You'll be doing yourself a favor and helping the Earth at the same time.
Ways to recycle your cell phone...
TIP #6
GRASSCYCLING
It's that time of year for growing grass and mowing! Grasscycling is an easy environmental practice that reduces curbside waste and saves you time and money. By leaving grass clippings on your lawn, you can save 25-35 minutes each time you mow, save money (no bags to purchase), and reduce the yardwaste in landfills. Because grass consists largely of water (80% or more) and has high nitrogen content, grass clippings easily break down within one to two weeks. The clippings return nutrients to the soil and help to make a healthier lawn. You can grasscycle with any mower by simply removing your mower's collection bag. Mulching blades or special attachments can improve the grasscycling performance.
For best grasscycling results:
· Cut no more than 1/3 the length of the grass
· Cut when grass is dry to the touch
· Cut when grass height is between 3 and 4 inches
· Make sure the mower blade is sharp
TIP #7
PLAN YOUR PICNIC
Summer is a time of family gatherings and picnics. Keep reduce/reuse/recycle in mind when planning your celebration.
• Buy bulk food items to REDUCE the amount of packaging.
• Use plates, glasses, napkins, dinnerware and tablecloths that can be washed and REUSED. Many disposable plates, cups and silverware items are durable and can be placed in your dishwasher.
• Encourage guests to RECYCLE. Let them know where to put empty plastic bottles, aluminum cans and glass bottles & jars. Your picnic may convince others to start recycling!
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Mill Creek MetroParks / P.O. Box 596 / Canfield, OH 44406 / generalinfo@MillCreekMetroParks.org / phone: 330.702.3000
Copyright 2009 Mill Creek MetroParks.
All Rights Reserved.
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