Recycling and waste reduction for all seasons

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 container for carrying drinks, rather than purchasing single-use water bottles or juice boxes. This will save you money and reduce waste.
• 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.

Summer and fall sports

Green tips for athletes and fans

Whether on the field or in the stands, athletes and fans can get active by reducing, reusing and recycling. Using hand-me-downs and carpooling are just the beginning of the ways your team can pitch in. A few simple steps can help cut sports' carbon footprint and ensure that everybody wins in the long run.

Recycling opportunities at sporting venues

Look for and use recycling bins at special events.

The easiest way fans can reduce waste is often the most commonly overlooked. Fans at any event can look for and use recycling bins in public areas for items like plastic beverage bottles and aluminum cans. Be sure to check what can and cannot be put into the recycling bins.

If you are hosting a sporting event or are in charge of an event venue, you can point people in the right direction. Be sure to place trash and recycling bins in easily accessible, visible locations where visitors will be able to see and use them. You can also work with vendors to make sure there is recycling for cardboard packaging.

• Special event recycling information for event planners, venues and vendors

Sporting goods and equipment

Lots of athletes, teams and families already avoid waste by buying from sports resale shops. When you do buy new or packaged equipment, you can also reuse or recycle plastic film and cardboard packaging. You can also recycle old athletic shoes through programs like ShoeBox Recycling-and Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe. Re-purpose old equipment, like tennis balls, for dog toys and other around-the-house craft projects.

• Recycling plastic bags and wrap
• Nike Reuse-A-Shoe

Snacks and water

Lots of teams fuel up on snacks like apples and oranges that are entirely biodegradable. You can save cores, peels and rinds for backyard composting. Also, you can rehydrate with reusable water bottles instead of disposable cups and clean your bottles regularly so that they last longer.

• Home composting tips

Green moving

Green your move

Whether it's the big apartment switchover in a college town or a job opportunity that sends your 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 you can take to make your move greener. Review our checklist to see what you can do!

Reduce

• Before moving week rolls around, have a plan to pack and organize what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. Approaching moving with a plan will give you more time to think about what to throw away, what to reuse and what to recycle.
• If you know your moving date well in advance, consider having a rummage sale or donating items you don't want. This way you can reduce what you have to deal with at the last minute.

Reuse

• Consider reusing boxes from previous moves or boxes from businesses. Many retailers will offer you their used boxes if you ask. Similarly, cloth bags, laundry baskets and large plastic containers are an easy, reusable way to get you from one home to another. If you're using a moving company, it may have reusable materials you can use, especially to protect larger items.
• In addition to containers, look for recyclable or reusable options for packing fragile items. Use newspapers to wrap dishes or T-shirts to wrap pictures and breakables. If you do use bubble wrap or Styrofoam, save it after your move to give to friends or reuse yourself.
• Cleaning supplies can be taken with you or left to new tenants. Ask your landlord about their policy on leaving reusable supplies for future tenants.
• Donate items you don't want to take with you to thrift stores, charities or other organizations in your community. Donating keeps your old belongings out of the trash loop and helps those in need. Most organizations accept donations of clothes, household goods, furniture and some electronics. Look for charities such as Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul and contact them in advance so you know what they accept. You can also contact your college/university or community recycling program to see if they have set up any special donation sites.
• In addition to a charitable donation, look for free "stuff exchange" sites that some communities operate, or use print or Internet classified ads to sell more valuable items.
• When furnishing your new home, consider purchasing used furniture, plates, silverware, etc. By purchasing secondhand, you are reducing the need for new materials and saving money!

Recycle

• If items are no longer in usable condition, recycle them. Recycling is available throughout Wisconsin for many plastics, paper, glass and metal items. Some communities and retailers have drop-off sites for recycling materials you can't throw in your usual bin, such as plastic plant pots and running shoes. For more information on what can be recycled in your community and where to recycle other materials, see Recycle More Wisconsin [exit DNR].
• Recycle old electronics like computers, printers and cell phones. E-Cycle Wisconsin provides a list of collection locations across the state . See a list of collection sites and more information on E-Cycle Wisconsin.
• If you are getting rid of any large appliances, check with your local recycling program to find out if you need a special permit or pick-up registration for the appliance to be recycled.
• Use caution when disposing of household hazardous wastes. Materials like paint, chemical cleaners, some electronics and others need to be disposed of properly to prevent damage to your health or those around you.
• If you are performing any demolition or construction on your home before moving, look into household reuse and recycling programs in your area. Organizations such as Habitat ReStore accept doors, wood, light and bathroom fixtures, cabinets and many other items in good condition that can be reused. Other businesses or programs accept scrap wood, metal, parts, carpeting and other products for recycling. If you're buying new products or materials, ask your retailer about recycling and reuse options or contact your local recycling program.

Responsibly dispose

• Check with your community's garbage program to see if there are special requirements for disposing of large items (such as mattresses and furniture). If you are in a college neighborhood or other area where a large number of people are moving at once, check with your community garbage collection program to see if there are special collections or rules for the big move-out day.
• See Recycling and composting for more information on the proper disposal of certain materials.

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.

• Planning Your Demolition or Renovation Project [PDF],
• Planificación de Su Proyecto de Demolición o Renovación [PDF]
• More information on construction, demolition and renovation

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.

• DNR household hazardous waste management guide

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.

• Recycling residential asphalt shingles

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.