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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Here are easy recycling tips for the home. Save this message for easy reference.

Every home, including your own, must make an effort to reduce waste, reuse materials and recycle! If not, landfills will overflow and we will run out of space for our waste. We will also be wasting energy, money and natural resources if we don't do our part.
Some homemakers find recycling quite a daunting task. Yet once you become used to it, it will soon be a natural part of homemaking.

Here are easy home recycling tips that you can do to make a difference.

1. In the Philippines, you can turn over most of your recyclable materials like paper, bottles, glass, plastic containers, tin cans, newspaper, aluminum foil and packaging, and other common items to your local junk cart guy. It is important, however, to label cans that used to contain hazardous items like paint, pesticide and the like.
2. Sell your used ink cartridges to street vendors who buy and sell these.
3. Make an effort to collect your recyclable materials like empty water bottles, soda cans, and newspaper/white paper. Designate a storage bin for them and regularly send them out for recycling. Remember to clean or rinse all your bottles and tins before keeping them in your bin to prevent flies and other insects from living inside them.
4. Plastic bags are a big thing. First step is to minimize its entry into your household. Use cloth shopping bags as much as possible. The plastic bags you end up with must be reused for as long as they are serviceable.
5. Reuse plastic containers and packaging. You can find many ways to reuse plastic packaging, boxes and plastic tubs.
6. Buy recycled products, say yes to hand-me-downs.
7. When clearing out your junk, consider swapping them with your friends' or relatives' unwanted stuff, sell them through a garage sale, or donate them to charity. Don't throw them out immediately.
8. Separate your food waste from the rest of your household trash. The former can be collected by your local barangay for composting; otherwise learn how to do composting in your own yard. You can also include dry leaves and cut grass.
9. Think of new ways to reuse old items. For example, old bottles can be used as vases or pasta/water containers; yogurt cups as your child's watercolor tubs; and cereal boxes as possible gift boxes.
10. Minimize your purchase of brand-new items. If you still have an existing and functional equivalent, resist the urge to buy a new one. Take care of your things to prolong their life.

Sources:
www.uk-energy-saving.com/recycling.html
www.eartheasy.com
www.calrecycle.ca.gov