Barriers to Being Green: Accessibility

Earth911’s Quick Vote poll asked readers to complete this statement: “The one thing holding me back from being more green is…”

Regardless of where you live, the question of where to recycle comes up at some point. The answer could be a whole gamut of things, including a big fat question mark. Most people don’t know where to recycle all the items they no longer need. This leads to the subject of accessibility.

Accessibility can be a major problem for a lot of people. In fact, out of the 1,070 readers who responded to our poll, 297 readers cited accessibility as the barrier between them and being green. Although some may feel recycling opportunities aren’t as abundant as they may have hoped, a 2007 American Paper and Forest Association Survey showed that “87 percent of the U.S. population, or 268 million people, have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs.” Based on this, recycling may be more accessible than you once thought.

Find out if your neighborhood offers curbside recycling by contacting your local Department of Sanitation. Photo: Greendaily.com

There’s No Place Like Home

With curbside access so high, the first place to turn should be your own street. If you don’t currently have curbside or don’t think it is an option, contact your local Department of Sanitation to double check. In many cases, you can get a bin out to you within a few weeks. You can also check out Waste Management’s site and reach out to them for assistance.

When you are using a curbside program, beware of contamination – putting in items that are not accepted. Ask the company or department that picks up your recycling for more information on these items. Often, your recycling bin will come with instructions and any updates or changes in acceptance policies will be sent out via mail.

Recycling the right things is just as important as recycling in general since some estimates put the costs of irresponsible contamination in the neighborhood of $700 million per year industry-wide.

Take it to the Streets

If your curbside is limited, or doesn’t exist at all, you may have to rally the troops and do a little up-front research. This will be the key to setting up a system you can rely on and always knowing where to get rid of your recyclables. First things first. Make a list of what you need to recycle. Then figure out what local options you have:

• Use Earth911.com’s recycling database. Simply type in what you want to recycle along with your current address or ZIP code. All locations that accept that material, within 25 miles of your location, will appear. Use the details to find out when they are open, other materials they accept and their contact info. Utilize the map to get directions.
• Check out the EPA’s State-Specific Exchange resources. Find your state and reach out to the organization listed to find out if you could earn money for your recyclables or participate in trades with others in your community.

You may have found a local drop-off for your paper, metal and plastic. However, larger items on your list can be more of a challenge – a broken computer monitor, a bag of old batteries or maybe the TV you need to toss out for the digital switch. Not all collection options are fixed locations open five days a week. In fact, many municipalities have annual events for hard-to-recycle items. These events can take place at local schools, community centers or at the landfill. Reach out to your local municipalities or talk to recycling locations to get info on such events.

The Power of the Mail

If there aren't any local recycling programs in your community, companies offer several mail-in options. Photo: Ecotothepeople.com

If your research is still coming up dry, you aren’t without hope. Many companies offer mail-in programs for recyclables that can be a challenge to dispose of properly. There are programs that accept a variety of items:

• Cell Phones
• Medical Supplies
• Ink/Toner Cartridges
• Plastic
• Computers/Electronic Media
• Batteries/Mercury Bulbs
• Clothing/Eyewear/Household
• Everything but the kitchen sink
  

Reuse & Reduce: Always Options

At the end of the day, you can get rid of your leftovers through recycling, composting or landfills, but the best way to get rid of something old is to find a new use for it.

Reuse options are abundant through sites like Craigslist or Ebay. You can also use your local Salvation Army, Goodwill or other thrift stores to make sure others have a chance to reuse your stuff. If your items are still in working condition, especially those electronics, many non-profit organizations or schools may benefit from your donation. You can even take your charity worldwide with a number of organizations that are utilizting reuse for humanitarian efforts in developing countries.

Reducing what you use can have an even greater impact. Here are some simple steps you can take to cutback:

• Reduce the amount of waste you generate. When taking food to go or enjoying a bite on the road, keep trash to a minimum by packing your own mugs, water bottles and reusable food containers.
• Print sparingly. When you do need hard copy of a document, be sure it has been printed and/or copied on both sides.
• Buy the highest level of post-consumer, recycled paper. From toilet paper to notebooks, there is rarely a reason to use virgin paper. Look for the percentage on the packaging (such as products made with 100 percent recycled and/or 50 percent post-consumer materials). Also look for paper that is processed chlorine free (PCF).
• Class it up with cloth. Reusable napkins are not just for fancy dinner parties. They can be washed and reused indefinitely. The same goes for old T-shirts or towels, which can be repurposed as rags and used instead of napkins or paper towels.

Not all the above options may work for you , but odds are some will. With a little research, elbow grease and education, you can greatly increase your accesbility to the basics of being green. It’s never too late to start, and it’s never too soon to improve.