| We are all striving to live greener lives. Many of | | | | environment with these substances. Common |
| us choose to use reusable shopping bags to | | | | NiCAD batteries contain Nickel and Cadmium, yet |
| reduce the production of plastic bags, and the | | | | are generally tossed into the dumpster. It is |
| filling of landfills. Reusing eco friendly shopping | | | | important not to throw these or other batteries |
| bags is a lot like recycling. Just like a recycled | | | | away. Instead, they should be properly |
| product, we reuse these bags instead of simply | | | | recycled. Many stores will recycle them for you, |
| tossing them into the garbage. Plastic bags can | | | | free of charge. |
| often be recycled at least once, usually to create | | | | Another product that, ironically, leads to increased |
| garbage bags. However, most grocery stores | | | | pollution is the compact fluorescent bulb. This |
| have bins to collect plastic bags, which can be | | | | bulb is often touted as the ideal replacement to |
| reused several times. | | | | the ubiquitous incandescent bulb, because it is far |
| But what other things are worth recycling? | | | | more energy efficient; and it is! Unfortunately, it |
| You've no doubt heard rumors that some | | | | also contains mercury and should not be tossed |
| recycling simply isn't worthwhile. However, | | | | into the trash. As soon as these fluorescents |
| recycling aluminum cans is one prudent way to | | | | break open, mercury is released into the |
| help save energy. In fact, due to the | | | | environment. |
| energy-intensive manufacturing process of refining | | | | Luckily, fluorescent bulbs and a variety of |
| raw aluminum, it is roughly sixty percent more | | | | batteries can be recycled. Many stores provide |
| efficient to recycle aluminum. So recycling | | | | drop locations for these items. They are then |
| aluminum is a great way to lower our energy use. | | | | disposed of appropriately, and reusable parts are |
| Other metals are worth recycling too. So is | | | | recycled. Check around in your area to see |
| plastic. Although plastic, aluminum, steel, and | | | | which stores accept which items. In addition, |
| other metals can all go into landfills without much | | | | spread the word so more people understand how |
| environmental impact, it is wiser to recycle | | | | to properly dispose of these items. |
| them. The manufacturing process uses far more | | | | Most cities keep tabs on where different items |
| energy than than the recycling process. This | | | | can be recycled or properly disposed of. |
| means our energy use can be lowered through | | | | Whether you have pesticides, used car oil, or |
| recycling, and we will reduce the amount of | | | | batteries, there should be a location near you |
| garbage in our landfills. | | | | designed to properly dispose of or recycle your |
| We use other items around the home that should | | | | used items. So remember, although reusable |
| be carefully disposed of too. For instance, Nickel | | | | grocery bags help the environment a lot, there is |
| and Cadmium are both toxic waste products. | | | | so much more you could be doing. If we all |
| These substances are monitored by the EPA and | | | | make an effort to be aware of what can and |
| manufacturers that use them must follow | | | | should be recycled, we can reduce our energy |
| stringent guidelines. Unfortunately, it is often the | | | | consumption, and keep the environment healthy |
| common consumer that carelessly pollutes the | | | | for generations to come. |