We're partnering with the City of Houston to introduce RECYCLE RIGHT H-TOWN, a new recycling education initiative with the goal of increasing awareness and education about recycling, while maximizing sustainable efforts in community recycling. Be on the lookout for KHB as we travel around the community educating and encouraging Houstonians to join us in recycling right!
What is recycling?
Recycling is reusing the material in something to make something else. Recycling is a way of turning old stuff into new stuff, of changing used household materials we throw away into new products we buy and use. Lots of things we consider trash can be reprocessed into new products and used again: plastic bottles, newspapers, soft drink cans, jelly jars and many more.
Recycling is collecting, reprocessing, marketing and using these materials. Making new plastic containers from old plastic bottles is a good example of recycling. Plastic containers can also be turned into stuffing for pillows, or made into car dashboards. Recycling turns discarded items into products - again and again and again. The City of Houston encourages recycling because it helps clean up the environment and saves energy and valuable natural resources.
Recycling is collecting, reprocessing, marketing and using these materials. Making new plastic containers from old plastic bottles is a good example of recycling. Plastic containers can also be turned into stuffing for pillows, or made into car dashboards. Recycling turns discarded items into products - again and again and again. The City of Houston encourages recycling because it helps clean up the environment and saves energy and valuable natural resources.
Why should I recycle?
- Because recycling makes sense! To slow down the rate at which we use landfills; to conserve natural resources; and to reduce manufacturing pollutants and save energy.
- Each year Texans create enough waste to fill two lanes of I-10 from Beaumont to El Paso ten feet high.
- The U.S. is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year. This means that 5% of the world's people generate 40% of the world's waste.
- Although American landfill capacity is greater than it was a few years ago, it has become harder to find places to build new landfills. Nobody likes the idea of a landfill in their neighborhood. As a result, places where we can dispose of our trash are dwindling.
- By recycling 1 plastic bottle not only saves anywhere from 100 to 1000 years in the landfill but also saves the environment from the emissions in producing new bottles as well as the oil used to produce that bottle.
How do you prepare items for recycling?
Sort materials, rinse containers, and store in a safe, dry place. It's easy. With a little practice, it takes less than five minutes a day. Sort your materials and rinse any leftover contents from containers so your items won't begin to smell bad or attract ants and bees. Here is how the City of Houston wants you to sort materials and get them ready to recycle.
- Newspapers: place in paper bags, stack and store.
- Cans: empty, rinse and store.
- Plastic containers: empty, rinse, flatten and store.
- Glass containers: empty and rinse. Separate by color - clear, brown, and green. Store unbroken.
- Motor oil: drain and store in a sealed container.
How does Houston Recycle?
The City of Houston offers several recycling opportunities which include: Curbside Recycling Program, Automated Recycling Program, Tree/Junk Waste Recycling, Yard Waste, Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Centers, Environmental Service Centers, Used Oil, Recycling Drive-Thru Facilities, Christmas Tree Recycling, Office Paper Recycling and more. Learn more about each program here.
For the City of Houston's tips on composting click here.
For the City of Houston's tips on composting click here.
KHB & Recycle Coach
- Accepted Recycling List - Unsure about what you can recycle? Search for a lost in your area.
- Find a Recycling Location - Get curbside pickup time and find recycling center near you.
- Set reminders - Set calendar reminders for collection and upcoming events.
Proud Supporters of KHB's Recycle RIGHT H-Town Program
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