This Earth Day, let’s commit to making recycling an easy, everyday occurrence. Recycling at home is a great way to preserve natural resources and live a greener life! But recycling properly can pose some problems. If you’re having difficulty recycling the right way, try these home hacks for organizing your paper, plastic, and other materials.
- Learn how to install a pull out trash can and designate separate bins for trash and recycling.
If you don’t know how to install a pull out trash can, don’t worry! It’s a super easy DIY project and it can make organizing your recycling much more seamless. There are even pre-assembled styles, so all you have to do is mount the shelf to the bottom of your all wood cabinetry.
These cabinet accessories allow you to conceal and easily separate your trash and recyclable items. The bins are even completely removable, so that you can take them out and empty your recycling directly into your curbside containers.
Having a designated spot in the kitchen for recycling removes any extra steps and increases the likelihood of your trash being properly sorted.
- Educate your household on recycling do’s and don’ts.
Recycling best practices vary slightly from city to city and state to state. You should be able to find up to date and accurate information from your local City Hall or Solid Waste Authority.
Start with the basics, and educate yourself and family members on what items are safe to dispose of and how they should be sorted. For example, while glass containers can be recycled, usually their lids can’t be. In this case, your local authority will request that lids be discarded in the trash and not mixed in with your recycling.
Make a list of the recycling do’s and don’ts in your area and laminate it. This sheet can be attached to your recycling bin or stored in one of your cabinet drawers for easy reference.
- Create a recycling station in your garage or mudroom.
You’re prioritizing the planet and making a real effort to reduce waste, so find a spot in your home to dedicate to recycling. This will make it much easier to keep everything organized and make sure your efforts last long after Earth Day.
You might have space in your garage or mudroom to set up your own recycling station. In addition to your basic curbside recycling bins, some other features to include are:
- A drawer or container to store special waste. Some common household items like batteries and lightbulbs can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of. There are companies that offer drop off sites or will collect these items from you. Having a drawer or container to set aside these items makes it simple to collect and dispose of them when you’re ready.
- A hook to hang your reusable bags. How often do you forget to bring your reusable bags with you to the store? Put a hook next to your garage or mudroom door, so that you can hang your reusable bags in plain sight.
- Clearly label any drawers or bins if you have kids. If you have younger children in your household, they may need a little extra reminder on how to recycle the right way. A laminated sheet like the one you’ll make for your kitchen is great to duplicate here as well. You can also add word or picture labels on or above your curbside containers and sorting bins to offer a boost of knowledge when needed most.
At The RTA Store, we help make your dream home a reality with RTA (ready to assemble) and pre-assembled cabinets and accessories. Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, home office, home bar, or TV room, we offer the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store, but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call, and let us make your dreams come true with the help of our free room design service.
