Happy Recycling!

Now I know that I promised to let you in on all of my natural beauty secrets in my next post but as an 'enviro-nerd' with a slight obsession with waste, I wanted to let you in on some not so secret changes to Halton`s recycling program!

As most of you know, not all products that have a recycling symbol on them can be recycled in all regions.  For example, Halton cannot recycle Styrofoam but Hamilton can.  This can make recycling super tricky... and can lead to some frustration when trying to understand what should and shouldn't get tossed in the blue bin. To make your life a little bit easy, most regions provide brochures with their pickup calendars clearly showing what can be recycled, what can go in the green bin and special pick up days for items like Christmas tree pickups. They are also available online.  Here is Halton's...

A few months back, I was reading the Halton waste management newsletter and I was super excited to see that Halton was adding several new items to their list of recyclables (and there are some good ones) starting in April. I was so excited about it that in true enviro-nerd form I tweeted about it! But now it's time...

Starting today Halton can recycle:

• Plastic Clam Shell Containers - I bet that many of you didn't know that all of those containers that you buy berries in from the grocery store couldn't be recycled until now (and they still can't in many regions). 

• Single Serve Yogurt Containers - This is a big one.  Especially if you have kids. Now you can pop those yogurt containers right in the blue bin instead of tossing them in the garbage! 

• Coffee Lids - This one really excites me!  Too many times I have forgotten my coffee mug, felt bad about using a disposable cup, then redeemed myself slightly by putting the cup in the green bin only to feel bad again about throwing out the lid. Finally my emotional roller coaster has come to an end!

•  Plastic Take-Out Containers - Not as ideal as bringing your own container, but at least you can feel a little less guilty about taking it to go. 

• Other Items - Plastic Plant trays and pots just in time for spring, empty paint cans and cardboard cans from things like frozen juice and cinnamon buns. Plus all of the items you could recycle before.  

I'm proud that Halton's waste program is moving forward, trying to make recycling a little more all encompassing (and a little more simple) while expanding the lifespan of Halton's landfill.  Keep these new guidelines in mind as you fill up your bin and if you don't live in Halton go online to find out what products your region accepts.

HAPPY RECYCLING!