Recycling in Schools
April 13, 2011 by John Kirzno
Filed under Environment
The need for recycling is an important one in schools because of the need to save money and teach kids about the importance of taking care of the world we live by taking responsibilty for the trash we generate; that there are other options then just tossing it on the ground. The types of materials that are most often reused are paper, yarn, rolls from paper towels and toilet tissue, clean milk cartons, donated materials for crafts, old magazines, broken crayons and other items. If copier paper is saved and reused, the costs of paying for clean paper decreases. This can save a great deal of money and time for individual school and districts that face cuts in funding. Smaller pieces of paper can be used as scratch paper for figureing out math problems or taking spelling tests.
Construction paper is used for decoration and to make covers for student’s folders to hold important papers in. Die cuts are often used with construction paper and the small scraps can be used in independent art projects. Paper milk cartons make great houses for building Thanksgiving or Christmas models and old magazine photographs can be used for presentations. Crepe paper and clean baby food jars can be used to make tea light candle holders. Cardboard cereal boxes can be covered with paper and used for book report illustrations or as props for a school play as well as used to store items.
The recycling is not limited to paper and other material objects but by watching your consumption of electricity by turning of lights when rooms are not in use. New schools built with energy saving designs, materials and the increased use of solar energy with skylights allow for less electricity to be used in heating or lighting classrooms. Schools made with these modifications may qualify for energy benefits and contractor discounts which are another incentive to use passive energy in construction. Light sensitive electrical switches and those controlled by motion sensors allow less energy to be used by the company or school.
Large companies such as Wal-Mart will often help students who develop and create a recycling program such as the 2007 plastic bag collection program across twelve states and involving nearly three thousand different schools by having the students save plastic bags to fill 60 gallon plastic bags. The monetary awards for each of the top ten winners were then used for supplies that the school needed. Cell phones are another item that schools can collect for homeless people to use in case of emergencies because it is possible to always dial 911 with a cell phone even if you do not have an account.
The most important part of recycling deals with teaching the children about the reasons it is important to recycle and be good stewards of the world we live in. The lessons can be incorporated into the subject matter that is being taught so that the time used is recycled also by being used for more than one purpose at a time.
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Finding Ways to Recycle by Reusing
April 12, 2011 by Jerry Strong
Filed under Environment
When we consider ways to live in such a way that is friendly to the environment, recycling is one thing that we think about. That is a valid step that makes sense because recycling is one of the best things we can all do to cut down on the amount of trash that ends up in the landfill.
Through recycling, various kinds of materials like plastic and glass can be put through a process that converts them into new bottles and jars which cuts down on the environmental impact manufacturing has on our world.There is another type of recycling that not as many people think about as often.
That form of recycling is to use those materials yourself again so they never leave the home. They are just adapted into a different use that gives them a second life. This is an even more immediate form of recycling because the materials never have to be melted down and changed into a new product which uses energy as well.
Composing is an outstanding form of recycling through reusing. Vegetable trash is put into a composting pile instead of being thrown out with the trash. Nature does the job of turning that compost into soil that can be used for gardening and other outdoor uses.
Getting rid of old items at a garage sale is another good form of recycling through reusing. Just because you cannot use those old appliances or clothes, somebody else might be able to get a lot of value from them.
In the same way, donating your used household items to a good cause like Good Will allows them to refurbish or repair what you are not going to use and sell it. The item can have another life instead of becoming trash.
But maybe the most immediate application of the concept of recycling through reusing is to find new uses for old items around the house. Paper can be used again if it has a blank side by recycling it into paper to take notes on.
Used plastic bottles can be cleaned up and used to store water for emergencies or to use when camping. Old clothes can be turned into rags you can use around the house or given to someone younger in the family to wear.
This all used to be considered frugality or “being cheap” in how you live. But in these days where we have to think globally and act locally about how to save the environment, learning ways to reuse things you might have thrown away before is a great step in the right direction.
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Composting At Home – What You Need To Know
April 7, 2011 by Steven Allen
Filed under Environment
So you have decided to start composting at home. That is a wonderful choice as it will cut down on the amount of refuse you are sending to the landfill.
Also it is a great way to save a few bucks on chemical fertilizer. The fact is that you want to stay away from chemicals as it is really not good for the soil long term.
Actually it’s really very simple, just pick a spot in your yard. Someplace out of site is usually best, Compost won’t produce a smell but it can be tough on the eyes. After you choose your spot add a layer of sticks or some other course material. That way you will get good aeration from the bottom.
You can go to the store and buy a tumbler. There are many styles to choose from and this will speed up the process a little bit. Even the fastest tumbler there is takes about four to five weeks to produce compost. A bin on the ground will work just fine even though it does take a bit longer.
Add in your kitchen waste this is called green matter. Old egg shells, fruit peels, coffee grounds and the filter, nut shells. Just about anything that is organic can go in the compost pile.
Next you will want to add some brown matter. This is lawn leaves, grass clippings, herbivore droppings. Such as chicken, cow, horse. Stay away from cat and dog droppings, to many chemicals.
You may want two start a second compost pile for yard plants. cat and dog feces will be great for this, just don’t use on plants that grow food you intend to eat. Composting at home is a fine idea that will save you a few bucks on fertilizer and growing your own produce will save you money at the grocery store.
In place of sending trash off to the landfill put it to great use through composting. A small bit of extra effort on your part and everyone wins. Your garden plants will love the extra food source. Click here for Free information on composting at home

