Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Recycling Resources in Grand Rapids, Michigan‏

Many people realize that recycling is an important resource if we hope to eliminate some of the waste produced across the world. Recycling is an important part of Michigan's efforts to reduce waste. It is a good step toward businesses having cleaner and more efficient operations. It is also a way that each person can help to protect the environment. Recycling is also about to give more jobs to people than managing waste. This results in stronger local economies. By recycling, less of our world's natural resources are used up, and landfills are able to be used for longer periods of time. In much of Michigan, including in Grand Rapids, people understand the importance of recycling.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, residents are provided with two recycling bins, and resources allow for recycling to be picked up on a bi-weekly schedule. One of the recycling bins is for paper products, and the other is for everything else that is recyclable. It is important to know, though, that unfortunately not all of our resources are recyclable. The other of recycling does not mean that everything else goes in that bin. It means that plastic, metal, and glass can go in that bin.

Residents of Grand Rapids are asked to make sure that only recyclable materials end up in the recycling bin. Resources are provided through the community to make sure that other items do not end up in recycling. For each item that is recyclable, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, with paper, not all types of paper are recyclable. Newspaper, corrugated cardboard, magazines, and cereal boxes are among the recyclable papers. It might seem like common sense, but used paper plates, boxes with heavy staples, and wrapping paper are among the types of paper residents are expected to just throw directly in the trash.

When it comes to metal, again not all of these metal resources can be put in the recycling bin. Tin, aluminum, and steel are among the metals accepted by Grand Rapids' recycling program. Bakeware, metal hangers, and metal lawn furniture are among the items that should not end up in a person's recycling bin.

When it comes to glass, Grand Rapids' recycling program will take clear and colored beverage and food containers. They do not want things like mirrors, automobile glass, or dishes, though. Anything that once contained food or beverages no matter what type of container it is in should be washed and cleaned. If lids and containers are made from different materials, they should be separated.

There are also rules about what plastics Grand Rapids' curbside recycling program will and will not accept. Milk jugs, yogurt cups, and butter containers are all examples of acceptable plastics. Actually, any plastic numbered one to seven is accepted through the Grand Rapids curbside recycling program. Even plastic grocery bags with either a two or a four are accepted through the program. Yet, Styrofoam and containers with automotive fluid or other hazardous substances need to be disposed of in a different way.

Even though electronics cannot be recycled through Grand Rapids' recycling program, there are other resources that allow for these to be recycled as well. Computers, televisions, video game systems, and other electronic devices can be dropped off at several locations in the county free of charge.

Richard Barthallo shares information with homeowners. Check out:
http://www.localrestorations.com/Michigan

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