Recycling_Content Page_Recycling and waste reduction for all seasons

Recycling and waste reduction for all seasons

We are lucky enough to live with four beautiful seasons here in Wisconsin, and each one presents new opportunities for us to reduce our impact. Look through the activities below to learn about things you can do each season to reduce waste and recycle more.

Back to school

Go back to school green

Back-to-school time is right around the corner for many families. Judging from the number of fliers clogging mailboxes, going back to school means new stuff—notebooks, calculators, clothes, backpacks and more. This year, as you embark on your shopping trips, consider these suggestions for reducing waste as you prepare for the school year ahead.

School supplies
  • You can reuse many school supplies from year to year. Save and reuse notebooks with paper left in them; folders that are not too battered; and backpacks, binders and calculators.
  • Several programs and organizations accept donated school supplies to send to needy schools around the world. If there are items you can't reuse yourself, consider donating.
  • When buying new school supplies, look for paper and plastic products that contain recycled content. On notebooks, folders and other paper products, look for statements like "made from recycled content" and "30% post-consumer paper."
  • As much as possible, purchase supplies in bulk and with minimal packaging. This keeps materials out of the waste stream and reduces the need for new materials.
Lunches and snacks
  • Instead of plastic or paper bags, use reusable cloth bags and plastic containers. Invest in a reusable plastic or metal bottle for carrying drinks, rather than purchasing single-use water bottles or juice boxes. This will save you money and reduce waste<./li>
  • Find out if your school has a composting program for food waste, of help get one started.
Clothing, electronics and other supplies
  • Last year's clothes, shoes and backpacks may no longer fit your growing kids. If you have clothing or sporting goods that are in good, usable condition, consider donating them to local thrift stores, charitable organizations or clothing drives. Donating keeps your old belongings out of the trash loop and helps those in need.
  • If you are replacing computers, printers, calculators or other electronics, consider donating or recycling them. Many organizations will accept donations of working electronics. E-Cycle Wisconsin makes recycling electronics easier by providing a list of collection locations across the state for items like computers, printers, cell phones and more. See how to recycle electronics for more information.
Education

Back-to-school season is a great time to talk to your kids and their teachers about the importance of waste reduction and recycling. When you're going through last year's supplies, talk to your child about how to reduce the amount of waste they create, reuse what they can and recycle the rest, and why this is important. Talk to your child's teacher about teaching and using recycling principles in the classroom.

Environmental Education for Kids! (EEK!) has potential recycling activities.

Get more information on waste reduction and recycling at school from our Green and Healthy Schools program.

Fall yard care

Fall yard care

That swish and crunch of autumn leaves underfoot is the sound of opportunity. Mulching leaves and composting yard materials allow residents to protect the state's air quality and public health, reduce costs for local governments and households and relieve communities and the environment of the hazards of burning. A growing number of communities have local rules in place that further restrict or completely prohibit burning yard materials.

Using leaves for mulch and compost can also enrich the health of lawns and gardens, save money on fertilizer and save municipalities money on yard waste collection. Try one of the following easy methods to manage leaves, branches, grass clippings and other yard trimmings.

Home composting

If you would rather compost your leaves, there are many easy structures you can build to start a compost pile. Be sure to maintain a mix of "browns" (fallen leaves, dead plants and small branches) and "greens" (grass clippings, green plants and food scraps). Finished compost can be sprinkled into lawn soil or used in a garden to provide organic material and nutrients. Ultimately, this builds soil organic content and reduces the need for fertilizers.

Mulching leaves in place

Leaves are rich in carbon, phosphorus and potassium – all essential nutrients needed by plants, including turf grasses. Mow leaves along with the grass during fall and leave the finely chopped material on your lawn. Another option is to rake up the leaf pieces and use them as winter ground cover for gardens and around trees and shrubs. This will help insulate plants and protect them from winter freeze damage.

Keep leaves handy for next season

Dry leaves keep well in plastic bags. Many people keep a few bags of leaves from the fall to add "browns" to their compost piles throughout the year. You can also use your stored leaves for mulch. In the spring, spread them on your garden and around trees and shrubs to save on the cost of buying new mulch.

Green moving

Green your move

Whether it's the big apartment switchover in a college town or a job opportunity that sends a family to a new community, moving means dealing with—and often throwing out—a lot of stuff.

Although some waste is to be expected with moving, there are simple steps that can help reduce the amount of stuff thrown away.

Planning your move

A little planning can save a lot of time and money in the long run. Sorting through belongings ahead of a move allows time to sell items online or through a yard sale, donate or take them to a collection site or event. Contact donation centers and collection sites for a list of what they accept and give new life to items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Many colleges and universities sponsor waste reduction or swap programs during move-out, providing opportunities to recycle carpets, electronics and other large or bulky items. Students can return or sell old textbooks for other students to use and avoid sending them to a landfill.

Community garbage and recycling programs may have special requirements for disposing of large items such as mattresses and furniture. In areas where many people move at once, checking if there is a change in schedule or rules for the big move-out day could help a move go smoother.

Reducing waste during a move

Reusing boxes from previous moves or asking retailers for used boxes reduces waste and saves money. Moving companies may have reusable materials to secure and protect larger items.

Certain packing materials are more easily recycled than others. Newspaper and cardboard can be used to protect breakable items and are recyclable anywhere in Wisconsin. Styrofoam and packing peanuts can be saved for the next move or given to friends for reuse. Plastic film, bags and wrap as well as Styrofoam are generally not recyclable through curbside recycling services. 

When furnishing a new home, some people purchase gently used furniture, plates, silverware and other household items to reduce the need for new materials and save money.

Home remodeling

Home remodeling for residents

Adding a new deck? Slapping on a new coat of paint? Finally, fixing the roof? When improving your home, you can reduce, reuse and recycle, saving money and protecting the environment as well.

Make a plan

Before you begin a house project, consult the DNR's step-by-step checklist for evaluating hazards, keeping your home and family safe and providing recycling and waste disposal options. Although the checklist is geared toward commercial and industrial projects, it still provides helpful information for homeowners.

Conserve paints and stains

The easiest way to avoid wasting paint is by purchasing only as much as you need for the job. If you have leftover paint, find a use for it in other projects or share it with a neighbor. Paint and stain outdoors with dark colors that will not need excessive cleaning or re-coating over the years.

Dispose of leftover materials safely

Check product labels to see if you are using hazardous materials and be sure to store them safely, reuse them when able and dispose of them properly. Water-based and latex paints are generally non-toxic but should be air-dried (or mixed with an absorbent like kitty litter) until solid before being placed in the trash. Solvent-based or oil-based paints are toxic and flammable and can contaminate drinking water if disposed of improperly. They should be treated as hazardous waste.

Recycle asphalt shingles

If you are re-roofing a house, you may be able to recycle your asphalt shingles. Check with your roofing contractor to see if they will recycle shingles. Recycled shingles can be used in road repairs and kept out of landfills.

Reuse or donate materials and fixtures

When possible, preserve doors, wood, light and bathroom fixtures, cabinets and other items in good condition that can be reused. Organizations like Habitat ReStore accept these items for reuse in-home and other building projects. Other businesses accept scrap wood, metal, carpeting and other products for recycling.