Do just one thing
HOT GLASS CAN DO DAMAGE
You might wonder what’s the big deal about putting a chipped Pyrex glass dish in the recycling bin. Isn’t all glass the same, after all? Unfortunately not. Heat-treated glass from brands like Pyrex and Corningware melt at much higher temperatures than traditional glass recyclables. And if the sorters at the recycling facility don’t catch it and pull it out, heat-treated glass can do a lot of damage. According to the website Recyclebank, “It takes only 5 grams of heat-treated glass to contaminate an entire 1-ton batch of recycled container glass.” Be sure to throw your old heat-treated glass in the trash.
NO TUNA FOR CATS
Cats are carnivores, which means they need a diet of animal-based protein to thrive. So you might think giving them a little water-packed tuna is a treat that’s good for them, too, right? Think again. Tuna can have trace amounts of mercury in it, and giving a cat a consistent diet of tuna can lead to mercury poisoning. Also, unlike cartoons that show cats lapping up milk, the reality is most cats are also lactoseintolerant. So skip dairy products for your frisky feline, too.
DON’T FLATTEN CANS
If your recycling bin is overflowing, the obvious solution is to try to flatten every can, tin and bottle so you can get more in. But this instinct should be avoided, because your recycler needs your recyclables to look as close to their original shape as possible. Sorting machines work based on recyclable dimensions. For example, cans and bottles are three-dimensional, and cardboard and paperboard are two-dimensional. If you flatten cans and plastic bottles, they can end up in the wrong recycling load. So if you must make a little more room, give your recyclables a very gentle squish.
MORE ON RECYCLING
Did you know the average recycling bin holds 65 gallons? It’s the standard size most trash haulers provide. If you’re recycling more and making less trash, do this one thing: Ask for an upgrade. Upgrading to a 95-gallon recycling bin typically is free, and all that’s required is a simple phone call. While you’re at it, if you downsize your garbage bin, many trash haulers will reduce the price of your monthly service fee as well. So make less trash and save more cash!
USDA ORGANIC MARK
There are lots of logos on the sides of beauty and personal care products, and it can be hard to discern what’s legit and what’s pure marketing. Two marks are definitely worth looking for: the USDA certified organic mark, which means at least 95% of the ingredients used in the product are made from organic ingredients and the rest are nontoxic or all-natural; and an “NSF” mark, which means that at least 70% of the ingredients used are certified organic. NSF International is an independent global organization that works with the USDA to provide quality assurance.
PLATIC CUTTING BOARDS
The majority of plastic cutting boards are made from a plastic resin known as HDPE, or high-density polyethylene. This is the same as the No. 2-marked plastic found in items like plastic detergent bottles. When it comes to cutting boards, HDPE boards are the preferred choice because they can be sanitized and used to keep food prep healthy. But what you may not know is that HDPE is also recyclable. When it’s time to replace your plastic cutting board, simply toss it into the recycling bin. Because it’s the same resin as No. 2-marked plastics, it can be recycled and turned into other products.
DON’T OVERLOAD WASHING MACHINE
If you have lots of laundry to do, it might seem like an economical and time-saving idea to slightly overload the washing machine. The problem with this cleaning tactic is the weight of the excess wet clothing will eventually wear out the machine’s internal drum and start to decrease the machine’s overall cleaning efficiency. When clothing doesn’t have room to be agitated during washing, it doesn’t come out clean. And running your laundry through the cycle a second time adds up to more water and energy waste. Save time and resources by not overloading your washing machine!