REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE

Here are a few ways to reduce:

To paraphrase:
Use less stuff. Repurpose what you have. Send the rest to recycling!

Recycling Resources—National
Earth 911: A wealth of information—a national resource which will direct you to recycling in your neighborhood.

Call2Recycle program: Visit the website for drop off locations for cell phones and portable rechargeable batteries. Here are a few: Office Depot, Radio Shack and Target.

Recycling... What the numbers mean.
Do you have a hard time remembering the meaning of those numbers imprinted on the bottom of plastic recyclables? I could never recall which could or couldn’t be recycled. Then our local newspaper, the Star Tribune, ran an article about the numbers. This is what I learned:

	Yes, it’s recyclable. I’ll spare you all the technical details. Suffice to say that this is the plastic contained in soda, water and vinegar bottles They are later processed into fiber for clothing and carpet.
	Yes. These are containers for detergent, bleach, milk, shampoo and hair conditioner They are reincarnated as bulletproof vests and toys.
	No. Pipes, shower curtains, meat wraps and cooking oil bottles are not recyclable.
	Yes. Grocery bags are collected in bins and recycled by stores like: Cub, Byerly’s, Lunds, Wal-Mart and Kohls.
	Yes. Tupperware, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, and outdoor carpet. These can be recycled but are not picked up at the curb.
	No. Coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cups, bakery shells, meat trays, foam insulation and most packing peanuts. However, some packaging stores accept and reuse packing materials.
	No. These products are labeled “other.”

Reduce Resources:
Reduce.org: Offers tips on how to reduce waste. Here are a few ways to reuse:

• Rent anything that you wouldn’t use on a regular basis.
• Buy quality so that it will last longer and not need to be replaced.
• Repair items instead of buying new.
• Donate items instead of throwing them into the garbage.
• Carry your own shopping bags.
• Cut back on paper products like paper plates and napkins.
• Avoid purchasing products with excess packaging
• Use libraries.
• Borrow or share.
• Go to Reduce.org for more information.
  

Reuse Resources:

• Shop consignment stores.
• Participate in garage sales.
• Shop used--first. Buy second-hand.
• Refill your own computer cartridges.
• Use re-chargeable batteries.
• Utilize services like Freecycle. It’s an online network that facilitates getting used goods into the hands of people who want or need them. A local version is www.twincitiesfreemarket.org.

Listed below are a few innovative recycling options:

• Crayons. Recycle crayons by sending them to the Crayon Recycle Program: For more info go to: www.crazycrayons.com
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses donated to Unite for Sight are sent to Latin America, Asia and Africa.
• Fabric donations. The Textile Center www.textilecentermn.org in Minneapolis has an annual garage sale in April. Drop off fabrics the day before. Call for more details. 612-436-0464. Check your area for similar programs.
• Luggage and backpacks: Suitcases for Kids supplies foster kids with luggage. This is a nice substitute for the plastic bags many children use to tote around all of their worldly possessions.
• School Supplies. Hands of Friendship in New Prague, MN collect new and used school supplies for children in Haiti. Markers, colored pencils, crayons, partially used notebooks and rulers are all welcome. 952.758.5114
• Shoes. Soles4souls is a nonprofit that donates shoes to people in need. They helped Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami victims. Mail the shoes to Alabama or Nevada.
• Sneakers. Nike will grind up the shoes and convert them to soccer fields, basketball courts and playgrounds. For more information go to: www.nikereuseashoe.com

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KAREN HENKE is a professional organizer and the owner of Come2Order. With a collection of 17 years work experience in design, space planning and organization, she now helps others come to order.