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generates more
than 20 pounds of household hazardous waste per year -- things like
paints, paint thinner, oven cleaners, insecticides, antifreeze, and
batteries. Most of this goes straight into our landfills.
So, what can we do? We could take a look at how we get ourselves buried
in so much trash in the first place, and maybe make a few small changes
that can pay off in a big way. For instance, break down your cardboard
boxes and bundle up your junk mail and newspapers to recycle. Buy
products made from recycled materials. Get to know which plastics are
recyclable, and buy your products accordingly. At the checkout, ask
yourself, "Do I need a bag?" And, the next time you see that cool new
breakfast cereal all neatly packaged in plastic and cardboard, painted
with brightly-colored ink, maybe give a thought to what'll happen to
that pretty little box when it's empty. Then, try the bulk food aisle
instead. (It saves you money, since a lot of what you pay for is the
package!)
We're
lucky enough to have a recycling center, as well as a garbage transfer
station, right next door. For free, you can drop off aluminum and tin
cans, newspaper, cardboard, magazines, brown paper bags, telephone
books, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars. (They even pay for the
aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic soda bottles, and motor
oil.) For a fee, they also accept trash, scrap iron and steel,
appliances, and tires. Also, there are a number of businesses in
Mendocino County that will take items such as books, clothing,
electronics, furniture, ink jet cartridges, yard waste, and appliances
off your hands, as well as a County HazMobile that comes to Laytonville
from time to time to deal with your household hazardous waste (call
1-800-246-3939 for a schedule.)
At
home, I recycle everything, even composting my food and yard waste. For
twenty years, I've dutifully rinsed out every can and jar, and bagged
up all the junk mail for the recycling bin. It makes sense: not only do
I do my part for Mother Nature, but I also save the money I would've
spent bagging it up and hauling it off as trash - sometimes I even make
money!
So,
if you don't already recycle, now might be a good time to give it a
try. With just a few small changes, you can make a huge impact on the
environment, and save
yourself a few bucks in the meantime.
For
more information, or for a list of Mendocino County businesses that
accept recyclables, stop by the office or give me a call at 984-6197.
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Important
Phone Numbers:
Laytonville Transfer Station (recycling): 984-8430
Solid Waste of Willits: 459-4778
Recycling Hotline: 468-9704 or 1-800-246-3939 |
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