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 Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:03 pm
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I had to update this, because I realized that is for only the UK, this guide should also be easier to understand...
Plastic Containers (milk, soap, juice, fresh pasta, water, etc.)
All plastic containers you purchase should be marked with a large and clear recycling code (C). This code must be molded into the plastic and located on the bottom surface of the container. Ideally the entire container should be made of the same plastic to avoid confusion, but often the caps are of a different type. Caps should be separately marked, but few are (B). Note that most caps are NOT of the same type as the bottle they sit on.
Grocery sacks, produce bags, and other packaging
These are great to reuse. Not only do you save a new bag, but your old bags don't smell like chemicals (the 'plastic bag smell' is mostly plasticizer chemicals that outgas from the bags).
Plastic grocery and produce sacks are commonly, but not always, made from plastic types 2 or 4. These bags are often collected in barrels at grocery stores, and usually end up as plastic lumber. Collection is not particularly profitable.
Other Plastic Items
Any product made of a single plastic type should be marked -- after all the product may one day break or be replaced. This includes toys, plastic hangars, trash cans, shelves, baskets, rain ponchos, and many other products (B). Many products, such as compact discs, video tapes, and computer discs, are made from mixed materials which can't be recycled unless first disassembled.
Glass, Steel, Aluminum Cans and Foil
Glass, steel (or "tin") and aluminum are easy to recognize and recycle. For clarity, a recycling symbol should be present, but most people have little trouble sorting these materials. Glass bottles must not be mixed with other types of glass such as windows, light bulbs, mirrors, glass tableware, Pyrex or auto glass. Ceramics contaminate glass and are difficult to sort out. Clear glass is the most valuable. Mixed color glass is near worthless, and broken glass is hard to sort.
There have been marketing experiments with plastic and steel cans that look exactly like aluminum cans. Recycling plants have been damaged by these fakes. The distinctive shape of an aluminum beverage can must be reserved for aluminum beverage cans only (C).
It is no longer necessary to remove labels for recycling. To save water, clean only enough to prevent odors. Unlike with plastics, the high temperature of glass and metal processing deals easily with contamination.
Scrap aluminum is accepted in many places. Other metals are rarely accepted.
Aseptic Packaging (Drink boxes, soy-milk containers)
The square boxes used for liquids are called "Aseptics", the most common brand of which is "Tetra Pak". Aseptics are made from complex layers of plastic, metal and paper. The aseptic industry has spent millions in public education on the issue of aseptic recycling, including distribution of classroom guides and posters like "Drink Boxes are as Good on the Outside as They are on the Inside" and "A Day in the Life of a Drink Box". The actual recycling process, unfortunately, is very expensive and awkward, and is therefore only available in a very few places. Coca-Cola maintains a list of aseptic recyclers, call 1-800-888-6488 for information. Because of the difficulties, only an insignificant fraction of aseptic packages are currently recycled.
Paper
Most types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers have been recycled profitably for decades, and recycling of other paper is growing. Virgin paper pulp prices have soared in recent years prompting construction of more plants capable of using waste paper. They key to recycling is collecting large quantities of clean, well-sorted, uncontaminated and dry paper. It is important to know what you are buying in a paper product, for that reason virtually all paper products should be marked with the percentage and type of recycled content, as above (C). Just saying "recycled paper" is not enough. "Recycled paper" could mean anything from 100% true recycled paper to 1% re-manufactured ends of large paper rolls. "Post-consumer" means the paper that you and I return to recycling centers. From a recycling point of view, the more "post-consumer" paper the better. Soybean-based inks are gaining favor as a renewable alternative to harsh and toxic petrochemical inks.
White Office Paper
One of the highest grades of paper is white office paper. Acceptable are clean white sheets from the likes of laser printers and copy machines. Colored, contaminated, or lower grade paper is not acceptable. The wrappers the paper comes in are of lower grade, and not acceptable. Staples are ok. White office paper may be downgraded, and recycled with mixed paper.
Corrugated Cardboard
In areas that don't take cardboard from consumers, one can often drop boxes off at a supermarket or other high volume business. Contaminated cardboard, like greasy pizza boxes, is not acceptable. In some areas cardboard must be free of tape, but staples are always OK.
Newspapers
Newspaper is widely available and of uniform consistency, which makes it valuable. The entire newspaper including inserts acceptable, except for things like plastic, product samples and rubber bands. Newspapers may be stuffed in large brown grocery sacks, or tied with natural-fiber twine. Other brown paper bags may be mixed with newspaper.
Phone books
Some phone books are made with a special glue that breaks down in water, while other phone books use a glue that interferes with recycling. Printed in your phone book should be information on the source and type of paper used, the nature of the binding, and where locally phone books can be recycled (C). Note that many phone companies continue to use virgin rain forest to produce directories. In many communities phone books are only accepted during the time new directories are distributed.
Waxed cartons (Milk, juice)
Milk cartons are plastic laminated inside, even if they don't have a plastic spout. (C).
Mixed Paper
Mixed paper is a catch-all for types of paper not specifically mentioned above. Everything you can imagine from magazines to packaging is acceptable. The paper must still be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other contamination. Staples are OK.
Remove plastic wrap, stickers, product samples, and those pointless "membership" cards, and most junk mail can be recycled as mixed paper. Due to new technology, plastic window envelopes and staples are generally ok.
Paper that can't be recycled
Paper that can't be recycled as normal "mixed paper" includes: food contaminated paper, waxed paper, waxed cardboard milk & juice containers, oil soaked paper, carbon paper, sanitary products or tissues, thermal fax paper, stickers and plastic laminated paper such as fast food wrappers, juice boxes, and pet food bags.
Paper with any sort of contamination or plastic layers can't be recycled. Plastic laminated paper is bad for recycling plants; such paper should be clearly marked (A).
Old refrigerators, Heat Pumps & Air Conditioners
Most older refrigeration equipment contains freon, a chemical know as a Chlorinated Fluorocarbon or "CFC" for short. Each molecule of a CFC can destroy over 100,000 molecules of the earth's protective ozone coating, leading to increased risk of sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer for the entire population of the planet (human AND animal).
If you are throwing away an old refrigerator, heat pump or air conditioner please be sure the CFC's are drained out and recycled first. Use only a hauler who will perform this important service -- call and ask before you let them take your old equipment away. Before having your car's air conditioner serviced, ask what the shop does with the freon. Never allow a leaking refrigeration system to be recharged.
A number of international treaties, federal and state laws govern the use of CFC's. Handlers of refrigeration equipment can get information on laws and recycling equipment from the American Refrigeration Institute
Rechargeable Batteries (other than car batteries)
Rechargable batteries are commonly used in portable telephones, computers, power tools, shavers, electric toothbrushes, radios, video tape recorders and other consumer products. There are a variety of different battery types, some of which contain quite toxic materials.
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is an industry funded group promoting battery recycling. Manufacturers pay a fee to use the logo shown to the right, and to support the costs of the eventual collection of the batteries they sell. Look for (and even insist on seeing) the RBRC logo on rechargable batteries you buy.
For a nearby drop-off location:
•Call 1-800-8BATTERY.
•Visit the RBRC drop of location finder.
•Try your local Radio Shack store.
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb) batteries can all be recycled. Several states now prohibit consumers from dumping rechargable batteries into the normal trash. Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries ("NiCads") contain cadmium, a metal that causes blood and reproductive damage, among other problems. Most of the Cadmium in our waste stream comes from batteries. These batteries pose little hazard in use (the Cadmium is in a stable form), but are a danger in landfills.
Worn-out batteries are often easily replaced. While many batteries are custom shapes (just you so have to buy a special battery) the chemistry inside is identical. A clever repairperson can replace just about any rechargeable battery.
Motor Oil, Tires and Car Batteries
All three of these products are big environmental problems, but all three are easily recycled.
Used motor oil contains heavy metals and other toxic substances, and is considered hazardous waste. Each year do-it-yourself oil changers improperly dump more oil than the tanker Exxon Valdez spilled into Alaska's Prince William Sound. One quart of oil can kill fish in thousands of gallons of water. Motor oil containers should mention the danger of used oil to humans and the environment (C).
Motor oil must never be dumped in storm drains; storm drains flow *untreated* into rivers, lakes or oceans. Your quart of oil *does* make a difference - don't dump it.
Recycling used motor oil is easy. Typically you used oil into a plastic milk jug and clearly mark it "used motor oil". The following should help you find a location to take the oil. Please drop off oil during regular business hours only:
•Call your local garbage, recycling or toxics agency for a referral.
•In California - Call 1-800-CLEAN-UP for locations.
•Many quick-lube shops take oil (the industry association encourages it):
o Jiffy Lube - (Contact any Jiffy Lube Station nationwide).
o Valvoline Instant Oil Change Centers - (Contact any Valvoline Station)(Valvoline's First Recovery Service, however, was sold to Safety Klean).
•Many auto stores take oil, including Grand Auto, R&S Strauss, Pep-Boys and Wal-Mart. Some states have laws requiring any business that sells oil to take used oil back from consumers.
Antifreeze contaminates motor oil - do not mix the two. If your car has blown a gasket and you are draining the oil, mark it clearly as potentially contaminated and treat it as non-recyclable household waste (see below). Never mix anything with used motor oil. Never place used oil in a container that has contained other chemicals.
You normally must pay a fee to dispose of a tire (usually $1-$5), but it is worth it. Improperly disposed tires tend to rise to the top of landfills, breed mosquitoes, transit disease when traded globally, and burn when stacked in large pilese.
Your old car battery might be worth money. Even if not, any car parts shop will take it.
Computer Printers
Most printer cartridges are easily recycled, refilled or re-built. But printer vendors sell the printer cheap, and make their real money selling supplies. They don't want you be environmental.
The "right" environmental solution is to sell new cartridges with a postage paid mailer for returning the old one. Some forward-thinking companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, have been known to do this, especially for laser printers (A). Sometimes you can find free envelopes for donating cartridges to a refiller, but don't bother with refill kits. They may save money, but they are messy, and you use as much plastic as a new cartridge.
To make a difference, buy recycled paper for your printer (because of the fine grain, it can look better than regular sliced trees). Grab piles of "blank on one side" paper from work, and use the other side. And always buy recycled. See The Yahoo! Recycled Printer Supplies Listing.
Encourge your company to buy a printer with duplexing (two sided printing), and to hire a company to take away waste paper regularly. WARNING: You may have a recycle bin at your company. Stay a little late one night and ask the cleaning people where it goes. You may be in for a shock.
Compost
It may seem strange to see the word compost on a recycling page, but compost is just recycled plant matter. Food and yard scraps placed in a special bin are converted into valuable garden soil in a matter of weeks. Compost bins are available at garden stores & nurseries. Composting can easily reduce by half the volume of material a household sends to a landfill. If you don't care about accelerating the processing, just keep adding material at the top. Just try to keep a balance of dry "brown" materials and fresh "green" material. For more technical information, try visiting the On-line Composting Center.
Lots of things you'd otherwise throw away can be composted, including wine bottle corks, cooking oils, certain types of foam packing peanuts, used paper towels, dryer lint, etc. If it is natural, you can probably compost it without trouble!
Household toxics
Individuals tend to be very sloppy when it comes to handling toxic materials in the home. Individuals often handle toxic chemicals in ways businesses would be fined for. The heaviest application of agricultural chemicals in the USA comes not from agribusiness, but rather from home gardeners. Indoor air pollution from household products is often found to exceed allowable federal outdoor quality rules.
Items such as poisons, paints, oil, solvents, automotive fluids, cleaners, herbicides and many others must not be dumped into the regular garbage. Water seeps through landfills and toxics end up in the water table. In areas that burn garbage, your toxics may end up in the air you breathe. The best thing to do is use what you buy, buy only what you need.
If you have accumulated toxics, check with your garbage company or local recycling agency -- almost all areas have household toxics drop-off days or locations.
Chemicals must must never be dumped in storm drains; such drains typically flow *untreated* into rivers, lakes or oceans.
Cell Phones, Recycling & Reuse
Tens of millions of cellular telephones are put in boxes every year, never to be used again. That's too bad. Phones are useful, and contain toxic materials. They should be recycled.
Now you can donate your old wireless phone. Recycled phones go overseas to people who can't get regular telephone service, or to people in abusive relationships (the phones are programmed to call 911 only). Phones or phone parts (like batteries & cords) are collected. Try to collect as many parts as possible. Drop your phone or phone parts at any Sprint PCS or Staples chain store, or see see CollectiveGood or WirelessRecycling.com for mailing information.
Computer floppy disks & Video Tape, Reuse / Recycling
Several processors now recycle computer floppy disks. Unsold software is disassembled and separated into paper, plastic and disks. The disks, with are effectively brand new, are erased, formatted, tested, labeled, and reused. GreenDisk of Redmond Washington sells reclaimed disks as GreenDisk Recycled Diskettes. Individuals and companies may also send defective disks & tapes directly to the company which will shred and recycle the plastic and metal. For more information, link to GreenDisk, Inc..
Of course disks & tapes are fully reusable. Removable labels are rare, but stacking two labels is usually OK. For the top label, select the type that does not wrap over the top of the cartridge. To clear all old data and even viruses from a floppy you just need to do a "full" or "unconditional" disk format -- Macintosh: Use initialize from the finder. Windows 3.1/DOS: From a DOS prompt type "format a: /u". Microsoft Windows: Right-click on the drive icon and select format. Select "full" format. Your disk will be checked fully for errors and work as good as new.
Computers & Technology, Reuse / Recycling
Think before you put that computer in storage! Try to donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete (the EPA estimates that 75% of computers sit in storage for several years before finally getting thrown away)! For a list of places that might accept the computer, see http://sharetechnology.org/
If you're waited too long you'll have to recycle, not reuse. Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). One good option is dropping off at Office Depot (See www.officedepot.com/recycle). They'll accept most office-type electronics, and small TV's. IBM will recycle your computer for a bargain price of just $30 including shipping!.
Eyeglasses, Reuse / Recycling
The old lenses that steer you into walls may be the perfect gift for someone in need. Chances are an optician or club in your area collects eyeglasses for reuse. Collected eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and measured to determine the correction. Available glasses are cataloged in a computer database, and matched to people with need. Many of the glasses are sent to other countries, as laws in the USA make it difficult to re-dispense a prescription product. Another option is to have your old glasses tinted to turn them into into sunglasses.
The Lions Clubs operate the largest program, collecting glasses from thousands of opticians. Of the chain stores, LensCrafters, For-Eyes and Pearle collect glasses chain-wide. Several organizations accept eyewear by mail (use a search engine to find them). One example is:
New Eyes for the Needy 549 Millburn, PO Box 332, Short Hills, NY 07078. Accepts scrap metal frames in any condition, unbroken plastic framed glasses, non-prescription sunglasses, any precious metal scrap like broken jewelry and monetary donations. In Canada send glasses to The Low Vision Clinic, 1929 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON M4G 3E8.
Polystyrene Packing & Peanuts, Reuse
Those pesky packing peanuts don't have much recycling potential, but they can be reused, which is even better. Many packing, shipping and moving stores will take used peanuts. Just pack them up in (recycled) plastic bags, and drop them off next time you are nearby. Suitable businesses can be located under "packaging" in the yellow pages. Typical chain stores include Mail Boxes Etc. and The Postal Annex. For a partial list of local collection sites, try the Plastic Loosefill Council at 1-800-828-2214 (24 Hours).
Some peanuts are not made of plastic. If you find a peanut that looks like a cheese puff, try licking it. One type of peanut is made from vegetable starch, and dissolves almost instantly in water. These taste somewhat like rice cakes, and are just as safe in a compost bin. If you buy peanuts, strongly consider switching to this type. They're better for the environment, and much much easier to get rid of.
Disposal of rigid foam blocks (such as those protecting new equipment) is problematic. The materials are very lightweight, they're made from natural gas: it is easy to end up with a net environmental loss just transporting the stuff. For most individuals recycling this material is not worth it, though future research into local small-scale reprocessing may change this. If you have large quantities of material, a list of collection sites is available from The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers.
Compact Discs (CD's), Repair/Reuse/Recycling
Damaged CD's can be repaired, and repair or reuse is definitely a better environmental option than recycling. You have some chance of repairing small numbers of obvious scratches with a mild abrasive such as toothpaste. Work only on the non-label side, with strokes radially out from the center. Professional refinishers such as AuralTech CD Refinishing will repair disks for about $3 each and guarantee the results.
If you just don't like the CD's, give or trade them at a music store or donate them to charity.
Obsolete or unrepairable CD's and cases can be recycled. Recordable CD-R's have about 20mg of gold that can be recovered, and some processors can actually remove the data layer, and reuse the plastic disc. If you are worried about proprietary data, you can cut them with a pair of heavy duty tin shears, or place them in a microwave oven with a small glass of water (for one disc, 5 seconds on medium does a fantastic job, and creates a spectacular light show)
Since CD's are not very valuable, nobody will pay you for recycling. Send pre-paid by UPS Ground, third-class mail, freight or other surface transportation to NESAR Systems, 420 Ashwood Road, Darlington, PA 16115 (724)827-8172 or Digital Audio Disk Corporation, Attention: Disc Recycling Program, 1800 Fruitridge Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47804-1788, (812) 462-8323a
Smoke Detectors, Proper Disposal
The most common type of smoke detector contains a small amount of Americium 241, a radioactive material. Detector companies accept returned radioactive detectors for disposal as hazardous waste. Unfortunately the companies seem to assume you'll keep the instruction booklet on hand for the entire life of the product, and don't always put good contact information on the case.
Detectors have a limited life span, usually specified at ten years. Testing your detector with actual smoke is the only way to be sure it will work when needed. The vast majority of smoke detectors are made by First Alert Corporation. Send old detectors to First Alert, Radioactive Waste Disposal, 780 McClure Rd, Aurora, IL 60504-2495, 1-800-323-9005. Others are made by a Canadian firm called American Sensors, dial 1-800-387-4219 for information. The companies sell detectors under many different brand names, and can dispose of any of them. Send detectors by surface mail or UPS Ground so they don't end up in an airplane.
Disposable single use cameras, Recycling
Recent studies have show that, despite the recycling claims on the boxes, less than half of disposable cameras are ever actually recycled. Enough cameras have been tossed to circle the planet, stacked end-to-end. Local film developers often have little or no incentive to return the camera bodies to the manufacturers, and not all parts of the cameras are recyclable. Kodak has started to minimally reimburse developers for the costs of sorting, storing and shipping, but processors are still faced with a bewildering variety of types, brands, and procedures for dealing with them.
Inexpensive fully-automatic 35mm cameras can be purchased for about $20 if you look carefully. These cameras will give better results and cost less to use than the disposables. If you must use a disposable camera, be sure to take it to a developer that explicitly promises to recycle the remains.
Holiday Cards, Reuse
For the last 25 years Saint Jude's Ranch, a non-profit youth home, has operated a holiday card reuse program. The ranch provides counseling and opportunities for troubled youth. The kids operate a business taking used greeting cards, neatly cutting off the front covers, gluing on new back covers, and selling the result. The kids earn money, experience and a sense of purpose.
The St. Jude's program has been such a success that they don't need any more cards, ever! They have millions. But you can buy the cards, helping them, and helping to close the recycling loop.
Batteries (dry-cell, rechargeable, automotive, button, lead-acid)
Battery technology is becoming increasingly important with the rise of portable computing, remote data monitoring and electric vehicle research. Unfortunately batteries contain metals, acids and other compounds that can be bad when released into the environment. Here's how to recycle the most common battery types:
Alkaline & Carbon-Zinc ("Heavy Duty") batteries, Disposal
In Germany it seems that every supermarket has a collection bin for batteries. In the USA there fewer options. The experts recommend individuals place these with normal household trash, unless your trash is incinerated or you are restricted by local regulations. Some communities collect batteries as part of a recycling program, but the batteries generally end up in a hazardous waste landfill. Several reclamation companies are now processing these batteries, so the situation may improve soon.
Rechargeable batteries provide the only alternative. Ni-Cd batteries may be recharged many times, but have much less capacity than alkalines. Rayovac sells a line of reusable alkaline batteries called "Renewal", which have a large fraction of the capacity of a regular alkaline, but only last for 25 or so charges. Do not send any type of dry cell battery to facilities designed to recycle other rechargeables.
Nickel-Cadmium batteries, Recycling
Nicad rechargeable batteries can be recycled, and it is important to do so because of the toxic metal cadmium contained in the batteries. See the companion guide to common materials for the details on Ni-Cads.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Recycling
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Recycling
Many newer laptop computers and other portable use Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithium-Ion batteries. Battery retailer Power Express will accept reasonable numbers of batteries by surface mail or UPS Ground for recycling. Package to prevent electrical short circuits and send to: Power Express Batteries, ATTN: Battery Recycling, 14388 Union Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124 (USA).
Button Cell Batteries, Recycling / Proper Disposal
Most small, round "button cell" type batteries contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium or other heavy metals as their main component. These materials leak in landfills, can enter the water table, and are even worse when incinerated. Button Cells are increasingly targeted for recycling because of the value of recoverable materials, the hazard to the environment, and the small size and easy handling relative to other battery types.
Many shops that replace watch and hearing aid batteries will accept your batteries for recycling at no charge. Check with a jeweler, watchmaker, or volume retailer like Pay-less, Radio Shack or K-Mart. If you have your watch batteries replaced, be sure to ask if the battery will be recycled.
Stores & repair shops can purchase plastic-lined collection/shipping containers from MERECO. Believe it or not, the batteries are sorted by part numbers looked up in a reference guide. Obviously a better type marking system is needed, and perhaps one that allows batteries to be sorted by machine.
Automotive batteries, Recycling
Automotive batteries contain lead. Lead is both toxic and valuable; in the US over 95% of all automotive batteries are recovered and recycled. Virtually any place that sells batteries will take them back, most state laws require it. Unfortunately many batteries are sent to overseas smelters with poor environmental and worker health records (See "The Myth of Automobile Battery Recycling", by Madeleine Cobbing). Ask where your battery will be sent. Recycler EXIDE has a better than average reputation. Consumers or businesses can call 1-800-289-4627 for recycling options.
Non-automotive lead-based batteries (Gel Cells, SLA, etc), Recycling
Gel cells and sealed lead-acid batteries are commonly used in industrial equipment, emergency lighting, and alarm systems. The same recycling process applies as with automotive batteries, but not all retailers will understand this. An automotive store may accept the batteries, you can try a security dealer, The Battery Council International at (312) 664-6610, or your local waste agency.
Fluorescent light bulbs, Mercury Thermostats & Thermometers, Mercury Switches
Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury vapor. Older wall-mounted thermostats have a ball of shiny silvery liquid metal mercury. Thermometers with a silver (not red) column probably contain mercury. Mercury has been used in a wide variety of products, even kid's flashing sneakers.
Mercury is a deadly poison. Chronic exposure leads to brain damage (and dain bramage). Mercury easily gets into water, then into fish, then back into humans. Mercury containing products of any source must be disposed/recycled as "household hazardous waste". Contact your garbage or recycling company for days & times. Do not mess around with mercury.
Unwanted Household Goods (small appliances, tableware, clothing, furniture, toys, sports equipment, children's books, white elephants, etc.)
Your unwanted household items can have a life again if you donate them to charity. Organizations such as Goodwill Industries will take your donations, sort and sometimes repair them, and resell them in thrift shops nationwide. Broken items are fixed, and scrap materials (like worn-out textiles) are sold for recycling. Goodwill provides jobs and job training for tens of thousands of people who would otherwise have trouble finding work. In 1994 alone Goodwill assisted 25,000 people finding placement in the private sector, helping many people get off public assistance. Wash the clothing, and try to include manuals or brochures on appliances (especially if broken). Surf the net, scan the white pages or look in the yellow pages under "Thrift Shops" for a charity and drop-off center near you.
Nonstick metal cookware and utensils can be refinished (See Fry Pan Man for one provider).
Another great option is the local repair shop. Don't expect to sell your old appliance, just give it to the shop for use as spare parts.
Carpets, Synthetic, Recycling
Natural fiber carpets can be composted. Old synthetic carpets have value as recycled materials. Individual consumers generally can't get rid of a carpet, but you can ask installers and renovation companies if they will do it for you. Don't let a major carpet job go by without asking about recycling! See also DuPont's Carpet Recycling Information.
False claims
How can one be sure that stated environmental claims are actually true? Manufacturers have been known to make misleading, trivial, irrelevant and false statements on packaging. Statements like "recycled" or "earth friendly" are so vague as to have no practical meaning. The more specific a claim, the easier it is verify.
Several prominent independent certification laboratories exist to verify environmental claims. Only products meeting the standards of the organization may display the logos shown here. For more information click on the logos. For the federal government perspective, try the FTC Environmental Guidelines.
Other things you can do
•Favor products with a high recycled content, even if they cost a little more.
•Reduce the volume of packaging you buy, reuse what you can, and recycle the rest.
•Tell the clerk "I don't need a bag".
•Use your own reusable canvas bag or backpack at the store.
•Buy quality products and keep them for a lifetime.
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Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:58 am
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Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:44 am
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