DIY Network

Recycling Learn how to help save the planet and organize your home environment at the same time. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-129

Host Stephanie Lydecker shares a few great tips and strategies for recycling with ease.

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Stephanie shares recycling tips.

Recycling

• Do your homework. Check with your local collection center to find out what it accepts and rejects.

• Determine the type and size of the containers you will require. Make sure they are the size you can handle. Some containers come with wheels.

• Glass never wears out—it can be recycled forever. Most bottles and jars contain at least 25% recycled glass. Recycling one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours.

• Americans throw away enough steel every year to build all the new cars made in America.

• Americans use four million plastic bottles every hour—yet only one bottle out of four is recycled!

• Make it easy to recycle by setting up a recycling spot that makes it easy for everyone to pitch in.

• Pick a space that will work and allow your recycling routine to succeed.

• Make sure you are up to date on local guidelines in order to avoid costly fines.

• Be efficient with your space by breaking down boxes and crushing cans.

• Bundle newspapers.

• Separate glass by color (unless your center does not require this).

• Encourage your children to recycle. Perhaps allow them to keep the money from the collecting and turning in of cans.

• Stoves, refrigerators—even an old car can be recycled. Contact your local community organizations such as United Way or the Salvation Army for details.

• You can find ways to re-use everyday items. Use the other side of printed pages for scrap and coloring. Cut old t-shirts and towels into rags, etc.

• There are little things you can do that will make a big difference. Bring your own bags to the store with you. You not only prevent having to recycle additional bags, you recycle an existing bag. Buy less disposable items like cloth napkins and dishtowels instead of paper ones. Buy large quantities. If you buy products in bulk or in large sizes and quantities, you can put them in smaller containers as you need them and this uses less containers.