Glossing Over It

Photo: Midori

Fact

Although many curbside recycling programs did not take glossy publications like magazines and catalogs in the past, it is now more common for them to be accepted. Unfortunately, this is news to many people – only about 20 percent of magazines are recycled from the home, even though at least two-thirds of the population has access to magazine recycling in their community, according to Magazine Publishers of America.

Get Started

• Prepare the product for recycling: remove the staples and any inserts (plastics, disks, perfume samples, etc).
• Many magazines have online subscriptions and most stores offer an online catalog. When your next publication is up for renewal, ask yourself if you really need the hard copy. Check out sites like The Read Green Initiative for online subscriptions of your favorites.
• The flashy pictures in magazines can serve as elements of future art project for adults and kids. Reuse all you can before getting rid of your magazines.

Become a Pro

• If you just can’t go without a hard copy of a magazine or catalog, find a fellow reader and share the subscription. You can also share the cost, which is always good news.
• Before getting rid of a magazine or catalog, check with neighbors and family members to see if anyone else would like to read it.
• Schools receive dozens of magazines and catalogs. If your local schools lack a recycling program, set up a collection site. If you have a child at the school, get him or her involved.