Reducing, Reusing and Recycling

Recycling is important, but first and foremost: Use less. Watch the Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard to find out why.
The things you do use can often be used over and over again – either for the same purpose or for something totally new. Be creative. Not only are you cutting back on your resource use; you’ll also end up with some cool eye-catching conversation starters. San Mateo County’s RecycleWorks is a great place to start sparking your imagination.
Set aside bins in your green home to separate and collect recyclable materials, including newspapers, white paper, clear and colored glass, plastic water and milk bottles, aluminum, cardboard, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. Check with your local trash-collection company, municipal government or business directory to find out what recycling services are available.
Packing peanuts and other loose fill will sit in a landfill for centuries, but there are lots of places you can bring them for recycling. Call the Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214.
Many computers, monitors, cell phones and other electronics include toxic materials that should not sit in landfills, and you’d be surprised how many retailers and other companies will take your old gadgets for recycling. The Environmental Protection Agency can help you find local electronics recyclers.
And that’s not all: Did you know you can recycle athletic shoes? Mattresses? Dry-cleaning hangers and plastic? Here are seven items you didn’t know you could recycle.