Recycling is something we all know we should be doing, however there is no doubt it can be an intimidating process. Sure we know that pop cans can be turned into a bottle depot for a refund and paper can be put in the office recycling bin, but where is all of the other waste we generate every single day go?  It's safe to say that a large majority of it may not necessarily have to be sent to a landfill, but because we don't know of any other disposal methods into the garbage bin it goes.

The writer of Another Green Idea has a much better suggestion for your trash and recommends that you organize an actual recycling system in your home. Having designated locations for waste in the home and knowing where to send it afterward is key to ensuring you'll be more likely to think twice before tossing unwanted items. 

This week I decided it was time I develop a system here at my house for recycling.  We have quit using many of the items that we formerly used (bottled water etc.) b. there are still plenty of items that we use that we could recycle.  his article will discuss how to get started on a home recycling program.

The first thing I think everyone should do when starting a recycling program is to research whether or not there is a curbside pick-up program in place.  Curbside pickup would certainly make recycling a snap because most cities that offer a program will also deliver the containers that they prefer you to use.  If this is the case all you will need to do is get a bin dropped off at your house and start placing the approved items in the bin and putting it on the curb on pickup day.  Unfortunately, my city does not have a pickup program in place so I have to be a little more creative. 

The next step is to find out what items your local recycling center will accept.  In my city there is a recycling center that accepts business paper, newspaper, plastics, aluminum cans, and glass.  There is also a local drop off for cardboard.  Luckily, this basically covers all areas of the things that I would like to collect for recycling.

Finally, if you don't have a pickup service and provided containers, you need to decide on what type of containers you will use and where you will store the items while they build up to levels that are deserving of taking to the recycling center.  I have some extra space in my garage that I am going to use for some containers for plastic, newspaper, and business papers.  I haven't decided on the exact containers yet but when I do I will get some pictures of them and let you know what I think of the product.  In the mean time I am just stacking newspaper and business papers on a shelf in the garage.  I have already been dropping off my cardboard to be recycled so I am just going to continue with stacking it in the garage until I get tired of seeing it and finally haul it off to be recycled.

Starting recycling has actually turned out to be a very simple undertaking for us.  It would have been even more simple if my city offered bins and a curbside pickup service but this minor inconvenience certainly won't prevent me from doing my part by recycling.  I really wish I would have looked into it sooner.  If you haven't started a program yet you should definitely find out what services are available in your area, you won't believe how easy it is.

Recycling isn't the only concept discussed on Another Green Idea. They have a lot more to say about a wide range of topics related to living green, so visit their site for some of these suggestions after the jump!

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