Recycle-Mania!

Let’s face it–recycling everything that’s recyclable is hard.  It’s much easier to toss something in the trash than to:

a) Remember that it’s recyclable

b) Prep it for recycling (e.g., rinse it or break it down)

c) Separate it based on the type of material (who can read those little symbols?), and

d) Cart it to the recycling bin

Since moving to Chicago about 1.5 years ago, my recycling habits have been nothing short of poor --I’m not proud, okay?   AND, the truth is…it’s actually easier for me to recycle than most.   Our condo building has a large bin that takes the majority of recyclables–co-mingled recycling (I don’t know if it’s actually called that, but I like the word “co-mingled” and how often am I going to have a chance to use it on this blog?).  So, not only do I get to skip one part of the process, the separating, but also I walk past the recycling bin every weekday on my way to work and any other time I leave my building on foot.  Basically, I’m out of excuses for not recycling everything I can. 

Each year I give something up for Lent – please continue reading…this will all make sense momentarily–typically chocolate or soda or swearing or some other vice.  In the past, I’ve tried to do something rather than give something up, like “volunteer more” or “be nicer” but these things are hard to objectively measure (I’m a scientist, people!), which makes it hard to follow through.  This year, I decided to DO something.  You guessed it—RECYCLE.  Like crazy.  Anything I can.

There was one small flaw in my plan—I was actually abroad when Lent began on March 9th.  My travel destination wasn’t a particularly recycle-friendly destination, making it nearly impossible to carry out my plan.  So, I am extending my “Lent” a minimum of 6 days post-Easter because I started 6 days late.  Honestly, though, I hope 40+ days is sufficient time to form a new habit and I become a “recycler for life” (I am totally making a bumper sticker that says that).   

So how’s it going, you ask?  Well, I’m doing pretty excellent at home.  My hubby has even joined in (although occasionally sneaks trash in the recycling bag).   AND, boy is it shocking how much recycling we create…or in other words, just how much WASTE we WERE creating.   At work, however, I am not so stellar.  I recycle regular paper and cans and plastic drinking bottles…but not much else.  I’m not creating that much other trash at work, but anything beyond paper, cans, and plastic bottles doesn’t get recycled simply because there isn’t a place to recycle it.  This has to change.  My solution?  Yesterday, I started bag at work for other recyclables…when, it’s full I cart it home. 

So, I’m on my way….saving the world one plastic bottle/newspaper/can at a time!  Please, join me!  Oh, and don't forget to let me know if you need a "Recycler for Life" bumper sticker.