Gone are the days when household items with slight scratches were discarded and sent on their way to the local landfill, and aluminum, glass, cardboard and other recyclables were mixed in with week-old chili and dust residue from the garage floor. Today, more and more people are recycling, and nearly everything is recyclable. Those who want to join in the recycling movement but aren't sure where to do it should check out the following resources.
Local government. Most local and state governments have allocated resources for the purpose of recycling. If you're not sure where to find a local recycling center, call your local government offices and find out. If you live in an apartment complex or belong to a homeowners association, they may also have recycling programs and drop-off locations.
Your neighborhood. You probably have some goods lying around the house you no longer need but could be useful to someone else: baby clothes, used furniture, your ex-husband's record collection from the '70s. Don't throw them away. Recycle them and make a little money with a yard sale.
Thrift stores. If running a yard sale is a grand inconvenience to you, don't worry. You can donate your recyclable goods to a thrift store. You'll not only be helping the environment, but you'll help others gain valuable work experience. Many thrift stores are run by charitable organizations — the Salvation Army, Deseret Industries, Catholic Charities and others — that use the resale of used items to help their employees gain work experience.
Online or classified ads. Family Circle magazine recommends old-school recycling. Those who want to make a little money without the hassle of a yard sale can do so through online or classified ads. The growing popularity of craigslist has made it possible for individuals to recycle and sell just about anything.
Internet sites. Many Internet sites are geared toward helping you find local resources for recycling. Sites such as RecyclingCenters.org and Earth911.com not only help you find local recycling sources, but also provide news and other information about recycling.
