- 2 reads
The best way to begin is to explain what motivates me to be such an enthusiastic recycler. The first reason is to help the planet. I've always felt the drive to pick up rubbish, or help the planet in some way. It sounds kind of 'hippy' but there is only one ocean, one earth and one sky and we as inhabitants of this planet are also caretakers of this planet too, and it is unfortunate to say but many are somewhat neglectful ones. However, with enthusiasm, as enthusiasm is contagious, the sustainable minded folk can lead by example and help those in their community, in person and on-line to help shift values towards helping the planet we are all a part of.
In short, and to address the subtitle of this article, Recycling is Fantastic because:
- It is pretty easy. Getting to the point where before someone throws something away that they ask wether it is recyclable or not requires consistency and often labelling. With consistency and showing how important it is to you, you are both directly and indirectly sharing your values and perhaps influencing those who are in your life to be more green minded.
- It requires the least amount of change of behalf of the individual. The aim of the game it to reduce waste, it is in the front of the reduce, reuse, recycle waste management motto for very good reason. And I have found it so much easier to instigate change starting with recycling and incorporating reusing and reduction strategies from there.
- People can both save and make money from recycling. Recycling is ultimately big business, under the umbrella of Waste Management. Tips or dumps in Australia have been renamed to Resource Recovery Stations, which is (yes you guessed it) Fantastic. That is a shift of values, and a guiding away from viewing trash as having no value, to being a valuable resource to be recovered.
- People feel good when they are making a difference. Landfill produces so much greenhouse gas (methane) and leeches toxins into the soil and water table polluting the earth; you can tell people the negative consequences of certain actions until your blue in the face, and the autopilot of chucking it rubbish bin prevails. Guilt trips don't typically work and personally nor do they feel right. However show people the good as well, like the recycled park bench made from soft plastic round the corner, and you can get somewhere.
And now to address the title and share some tips to encourage and increase recycling in your home and work.
- Make a recycle box is the first step. Then find out from your council what is recyclable and what is not, and work out how to reduce the landfill bin as much as possible. With a compost bin for organic material for example.
- Take a holistic approach. Meaning there's no point in installing a recycle bin in the work kitchen if the cleaner hasn't been informed and just puts it into the landfill dumpster anyway. Telling/showing everyone with actions, words and signage; in a consistent and friendly manner.
- If able, put the recycle bin in a more visible place. Sounds obvious, but it makes a huge difference.
Recycling: It's easy; you don't have to change much; can save money; and makes you feel good by doing good. I am trying to share explanations that may help others instigate positive change, establishing new habits and shift existing ideas of waste that will take care of the earth now, and in the years to come.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you find recycling to be fantastic too!
Follow The Recycling Guy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_recycling_guy/
