Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
I can’t really call myself a “tree hugger” per se, but I do what I can to help by recycling. The city gives us a big recycle can to fill each week and fill we do (and over fill!!) To me it’s not hard to throw the paper we aren’t using, the plastic containers we are done with and the cans we have opened, into a separate container. My 2 youngest have recycling contests at their school. In fact, right now they are competing to see which classroom can bring the most newspapers and magazines. A couple months ago they were collecting plastic bottles. I think this is a great way to encourage recycling because I am sure I’m not the only person who DOES NOT like lose!! haha
One thing I do encourage my children to recycle probably embarrasses them right now. I have children in middle school and high school that participate in sports. Have you ever looked at the bleachers after a sporting event? They are a mess with trash. After every game I roam through the bleachers and pick up the Gatorade and water bottles left behind. I place them in the recycle bins right next to the exit doors. (Why the people who left the bottles in the bleachers couldn’t just toss them in the bins is beyond me!?)
Another way I recycle is hand-me-downs. Most people may not think of this as “recycling,” but it is. My sister and I rotate clothes between our children. Often I get a box of shirts from her for my 8 year old and I can remember my 16 year old wearing it years ago. My older daughter is 7 years old than my youngest so often when she outgrows clothes I either pass them to someone I know, or- this if my favorite thing to do- my husband will take them to work with him. He’s a police officer and often will go into homes where there is 4 or 5 children, sleeping on the floor of a one bedroom home. They have nothing. When that happens he will return with a box of clothes, toys, whatever, from our home and ask if they know anyone who may need them. Every time the family has been so grateful!! It makes us feel good that the clothes went to someone who needed them. The last family he took 4 bags of clothes to said they also had family in Mexico they can send what they don’t use to. Recycling at it’s best!!
You can recycle cell phones, ink cartridges, eye glasses and so much more. Using eco-friendly products, such as printer ink available at CastleInk.com is another way to help our world. 
What ways do you reduce, reuse, recycle?
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Great post Tori!!! I don’t consider myself a A “tree hugger” either but since my childhood home became the city landfill in 1994, I am much more conscious about where trash goes. I don’t want anyone else losing their house just so we have somewhere to put our trash. We have the “large” recycling bin from the city and I’m proud to say we fill it twice as fast as our green trash bin. Be earth friendly, it really makes a difference!!!!!!!!
Isa being a “tree hugger” bad? LOL I love to recycle. I don’t know why. I consider it part of the “pack it in, pack it out” philosophy that I was raised with. We, too, have a can and they only empty it every other week. Sometimes it is really full when they come.
I won’t buy a hybrid car, because to make them is a bigger carbon print than to drive an SUV for it’s entire life. They don ‘t tell ya that when they are huggin’ trees, do they?
Love this post.. its easy to help .. we got a 2nd recycle bin.. guess it makes me feel better about the can sodas we buy..cause we recycle.. and the kids are big on what goes in it ..they catch me throwing stuff away and remind me it can be recycled!! But I love the story of your husband helping families in need..as if he doesn’t do enough..thats fantastic..I love to donate old clothes but to a cause like that I really like that.. not that you need another project..but if he comes across a family in need.. put the word out..I would gladly drive stuff over knowing its going directly to someone in need.. anyway, if it wasn’t clear..thats awesome..thanks for the reminder!
Any time you have things to donate just let me know! He always meets people who have nothing.
I will keep that in mind for sure..we always have small clothes/ toys etc..and we are moving next week..I can only imagine we will have stuff to get rid of..I will reach out to you the end of the month..may have some boxs if its not a pain!
We recycle everything we can. Our recycle bin is often more full than our trash bin! I also try to do things like using reusable items (water bottles, grocery bags etc) so we don’t even make recycle!
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