TIPS & TRICKS

• Flatten cardboard boxes so that you can fit more recyclables into your bin

• All plastic bottles can be recycled, from water bottles to salad dressing, so put all of them in your recycling container

• It is not just newspapers that you can recycle at home. Also, recycle wrapping paper, envelopes, birthday cards and phone books. All sorts of cardboard can be recycled, too, even toilet and paper towel tubes

• Most metallic items in the home can be recycled, such as empty spray cans and tin foil, and of course, all empty soda, fruit, vegetable and other food cans• Keep a space in your cupboard so that you can recycle as you are cooking or cleaning. It will make it easier for you to put the recyclables in their proper place

• If you are ever unsure about what you can recycle, check with us! Use the Waste Wizard, download our app and follow us on Instagram & Facebook

• Pack lunch: By bringing your own lunch and snacks to the office in a reusable container (in a reusable bag rather than plastic one), you will reduce packaging waste and also spend less on going out to eat. The average worker in the US spends $37 per week on buying lunch. This can add up to $2000 per year or more

• Bring your own coffee to work rather than buying coffee at work in throw away cups. Save the environment and your wallet

• Make office supplies last longer. You can try to use pens, highlighters and markers more sparingly, and also keep them front and center so they are not forgotten in your desk drawers. And keep your markers, pens and glue sticks in a clean dry space as heat and exposure to sun make them dry out

• Try to pre-cycle your office supplies. This means thinking about recycling before you use anything. For example, you can use old newspaper to wrap things for the mail instead of bubble wrap. Use a reusable tape dispenser at your desk, and use paper clips instead of staples

• The majority of recyclable material at schools is paper. Every classroom, eating space and office should have plenty of bins available for recycling paper

• If there are any school supplies left over at year’s end, you can donate them to students in need or to a local organization that helps the needy

• Begin a composting program in your school cafeteria to reduce the amount of food waste thrown away. Some cafeterias can use waste compactors that will reduce how much space kitchen and food waste occupies

• Every cafeteria and eating space should have containers for plastic, paper and metal recycling

• Use special fundraisers for the school that promote recycling, such as selling custom reusable bags