January 2015 Residential Communications Resources
Topic: Waste Reduction and Recycling New Year’s Resolution
TITLE: Reduce and recycle: a New Year's resolution you can keep
TEASER
Happy New Year! This year, resolve to be better by reducing and recycling.
BLOG/ARTICLE
Each year, many of us resolve to lose weight, floss more, and better ourselves in
some way. This year, why not resolve to be kinder and gentler to our planet? You
may find it’s much easier (and more sustainable) than other resolutions you might
make.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, paper, plastics, and organics
are still the top three components of our garbage in Minnesota. Paper makes up a
quarter of what goes in the trash, 18% are materials made of plastic, 31% is
organics. Reducing and recycling means less waste in landfills and more resources
to make new products.
Five ways to get organized and reduce waste
Regain control of your surroundings and stuff during Get Organized Month this
January by following these five easy and practical steps to reduce waste.
1) Stop unwanted advertising mail. RethinkRecycling.com tells you how to
do it!
2) Buy in bulk to avoid excess packaging. For example, buy juice, snacks
and other lunch items in bulk and use reusable containers to bring them
to school or work.
3) Buy smaller quantities of perishable foods. It saves rotten tomatoes from
the landfill and saves you money!
4) Shop with reusable bags beyond the grocery store. Remember to bring
bags with you when you go to department and hardware stores, clothing
retailers and everywhere else you shop!
5) Reduce waste by purchasing durable goods and reusing, repairing,
sharing, and donating items instead of throwing them away
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
Get more great organizational tips from the National Association of Professional
Organizers blog.
Top items to recycle consistently
How many of us have made a New Year's resolution only to realize we bit off more
than we can chew? Keep your resolution simple to be successful by focusing on
being better at recycling one or two more items. Once you’ve mastered those,
challenge yourself to keep recycling more! Here in the Twin Cities, everyone gets
curbside recycling, but some things are not always accepted for recycling by your
hauler. Remember to recycle these items that all haulers take:
● Aluminum and metal food and beverage cans;
● Glass food and beverage bottles and jars;
● Paper (including magazines, newspapers, cardboard and cereal boxes);
● Plastic bottles and jugs (including milk and juice jugs, water and ketchup
bottles);
● Cartons (including milk cartons and juice boxes).
When you start with these standard items, it's easy to keep a New Year's recycling
resolution. Remember to collect recyclables throughout your house; not just in the
kitchen! Collect recyclables from the bathroom, laundry room and office as well.
Keep yourself accountable by letting all your friends and family know your new
goal. You might even be able to save money by downsizing your trash bin!
RethinkRecycling.com has more information on what can and can't be recycled.
Why recycle?
Minnesotans have the second best recycling rate in the country. But as mentioned
earlier, a large part of what still goes in the trash is recyclable. When you reduce,
reuse, or recycle you help:
● Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators;
● Conserve natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals;
● Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change;
● Help sustain the environment for future generations;
● Help create well-paying jobs in U.S. recycling and manufacturing industries;
● Help create the more than 4,500 products that use recycled materials.
By recycling over 2.3 million tons each year, Minnesotans are making a big impact!
Make that resolution to join your neighbors and recycle!
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
Rethink Recycling is your “go-to” guide for recycling in the Twin Cities. Visit us at:
www.rethinkrecycling.com
###
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
Get Organized Month http://www.napo.net/get_organized/
Benefits of Recycling (http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics)
Number of products made from recycled materials
http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/smm/wastewise/wrr/buyq_a.htm
http://thepaperlifecycle.org/end-of-life/in-depth/what-goes-into-the-landfill/
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/kids_activities.htm)
http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics
http://www.recycleeverywhere.ca/what-they-become/
(See next page for social media)
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
January Social Media
FACEBOOK: Monthly topic
1) Each year, many of us resolve to lose weight, floss more, and better ourselves
in some way. Why not resolve to be kinder and gentler to the planet? You may find
it’s easier than other resolutions you make. LINK TO BLOG
2) Our latest blog includes 5 easy and practical actions to reduce waste. Resolve to
incorporate the mindset of reducing, reusing, and recycling into your lifestyle. LINK
TO BLOG (Meme image)
3) Each of us produces about 4.5 pounds of trash each day, including paper, glass,
metals, plastics, yard waste and more. Do you think you throw out this much stuff?
LINK TO BLOG
4) Did you know that more than 4,500 products are made from recycled materials?
All the stuff you recycle at home makes a big difference for the environment and
the economy. To help complete the recycling “cycle of life” look for products made
with recycled materials. LINK TO BLOG
5) January is #GetOrganized month, sponsored by the National Association of
Professional Organizers to help you regain control of your stuff! Get some great tips
from their blog: http://www.napo.net/get_organized/
Subtopics
6) Gift cards….love ‘em or hate ‘em, what do you do with them once you’ve spent
them? Don’t toss them in the garbage. Use old gift cards to make snazzy earrings,
a funky guitar pick or….use your imagination. Check out these fun ideas:
http://www.pinterest.com/gcgirlfriend/gift-card-recycling/
Coffee card out of cash? Reload it, don’t throw it!
7) You’ve taken down the tree and now you’re stuck with that string of lights with
burned-out or missing bulbs. Now through the end of January, bring any working or
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
non-working holiday lights to a drop-off box for recycling. Find a site near you:
http://recycleminnesota.org/recycle-your-holidays/
8) Got the January blahs? Check out 33 fun things to make using recycled products
around the house: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/cute-diys-you-canmake-with-things-from-your-r
9) We’ve got more ideas for those empty gift cards! If you’re a bit handy, here are
some tips from This Old House for putting those cards to work around the house:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20300086,00.html
10) Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes audio equipment, TVs, CD and MP3
players, radios, speakers, laptops, tablets and more. When they no longer work,
you can recycle your e-waste. Find a drop-off site near you:
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/electronics-tvscomputers#recycling-disposal-sites
11) Click here to learn more about electronics (e-waste) recycling:
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/electronics-tvscomputers
12) Introduce your kids to Ollie’s Playhouse for fun ways (games and puzzles!) to
learn about recycling…..http://www.olliesworld.com/planet/usa/club/club.htm
13) Each year, we buy, use and throw away billions of batteries containing
hazardous metals. From lithium to button to automotive, find out how and where to
properly dispose of batteries. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materialsname/batteries#overview
14) Exhaustion and feeling too full are not good excuses to chuck the leftovers
after the big game. Get the kids to package up the leftovers for the fridge or
freezer. More food waste reduction tips are at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/food-waste
15) Super Bowl XLlX is Sunday, Feb. 1. Host a Great Green Super Bowl Party and
impress your friends and family with your commitment to living green by making a
few simple changes. Get easy tips at: http://www.earth911.com/living-wellbeing/events-entertainement/8-ways-to-green-your-super-bowl/
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
TWITTER: Monthly topic
1) This year, why not #resolve to be kinder and gentler to the planet? Who
wouldn’t want to make a smaller carbon footprint? LINK TO BLOG
2) Our latest blog includes 5easy and practical actions to reduce waste. Make
reducing, reusing and recycling part of your lifestyle. LINK TO BLOG
3) On average, each of us produces about 4.5 pounds of #trash each day. You can
reduce that total. LINK TO BLOG
4) Are you helping to reduce the amount of trash going into our #landfills? Yay you!
It's important and does make a difference! LINK TO BLOG
5) To help complete the #recycling “cycle of life” and close the loop, look for
products made with recycled materials. LINK TO BLOG
6) Now through the end of January, bring any working or non-working
#holidaylights to a drop-off box to be recycled for free! LINK TO BLOG
7) Got the January blahs? Check out 33 fun things to make using #recycled
products around the house. LINK TO BLOG
8) January is #GetOrganized month. Get great tips from the National Association of
Professional Organizers blog to help you regain control of your stuff!
http://www.napo.net/get_organized/
Subtopics
9) #Giftcards, you can love ‘em or hate ‘em, the big question is what to do with
them once you’ve spent them. Make something snazzy!
http://www.pinterest.com/gcgirlfriend/gift-card-recycling/
10) If you’re a bit handy, here are some tips from This Old House for putting
#oldgiftcards to use.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20300086,00.html
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
11) #Electronicswaste already constitutes 2% to 5% of household garbage and is
the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the
US. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/electronics-tvscomputers
12) Learn more about recycling TVs, laptops and other #e-waste.
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/electronics-tvscomputers
13) Each year, we buy, use and throw away billions of #batteries containing
hazardous metals. Find out how and where to safely dispose of batteries.
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/batteries#overview
14) Introduce your kids to Ollie’s Playhouse for fun games and puzzles to learn
about #recycling. http://www.olliesworld.com/planet/usa/club/club.htm
15) Get the kids to package up the leftovers from the big game for the fridge or
freezer. Food waste reduction tips are at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/food-waste
16) Super Bowl XLlX is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1. Now’s the time to start
planning a Great Green Super Bowl Party. http://www.earth911.com/living-wellbeing/events-entertainement/8-ways-to-green-your-super-bowl/
###
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.