recycling & writer interview

-- Positive News -- 

Many of you know that I am very passionate about recycling as one of the easiest and most economic ways of making this planet a healtier, more sustainable place.

According to GreenStar.com 2 million tons of recycled items reduces the amount of carbon emissions by 6/1 million metric tons - which is equivalent to removing 1.2 million cars off our roads, or the energy used by 180,000 homes, or 6 million barrels of oil. 

In fact, did you know that if we throw out a tin can - it is the same as lighting a match to one cup of gasoline? That is how much fuel is consumed in creating that tin can, but recycling it we interrupt the cycle and reduce the wasted fuel and materials. 

By recycling we are not harvesting minerals or forests and other raw materials - instead we are reusing those materials harvested in the past.

Recycling also reduces how much material is sent to the landfill - helping to extend the life of those landfills that already exist is a huge issue today because new ones would mean using more land.

And according to GreenStar.com, recycling programs are actually responsible for more than 850,000 jobs and about $86 billion dollars in annual sales. Materials like recovered plastics are converted into new carpet, fabrics and water bottles. 

Shopping habits play a big role in this - so be sure to choose items that have been manufactured with, and are packaged in, recycled and recyclable materials. 

Cartons (according to RecycleCartons.com) are mostly made from paper, aluminum and polyethylene - which are totally recyclable. When you purchase items in cartons (think milk, juice, broth) you are choosing items that have very little packaging - and what packaging there is, is recyclable. These items are transport-efficient, meaning there will be fewer trucks used to ship the items, which equals less fuel expended and less emissions in the air. Remove caps and straws (the plastic is recyclable with other plastics) and rinse out the container (the liquid is actually useful for composting systems, and is nutrient rich for lawns, landscaping, etc). You can then leave the carton whole, but better yet, collapse the container so that it folds out flat - it makes for more efficient recycling in the end.   



Schools and groups are welcome to access the educational tools available at the GreenStar.com site to help green their activities, meeting areas, cafeterias, and classrooms.  

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!