Common Recycle: Batteries, Magazines, and Shoeboxes

Common Recycle

Have you ever wondered how to recycle those everyday things? Well, I sure have, and I hope many others have, too. In this first post of the Common Recycle series, I will talk about how to recycle three common items.

Batteries

Now, I'm talking about those single-use batteries that you use in everyday electronics like remotes, flashlights, toys, and cameras. Most are dumped in the trash, but this can be a problem. Certain chemicals can leech into the landfills and further contamination. In order to prevent this, go to earth911.com, enter "batteries" into the search box, define your location, and poof! you'll be given a local business that recycles batteries (most likely Batteries Plus).

Chargeable batteries are a little different. Most are Nickel-Cadmium batteries and cadmium is a toxic metal. Therefore these batteries must be disposed of properly. A search at earth911.com will likely give you the result of Radio Shack, even Best Buy.

So overall, batteries ARE recyclable. Just save used batteries in a small bag and drop them off on one of your trips into the town.

Magazines

Yes, paper is recyclable. But I know of a better way to recycle old magazines: package filler! I recently came across this discovery when my parents were out of filler tissue for a care package. I took a magazine out of the trash, ripped out the pages, and stuffed them inside the box. Perfect! So instead of spending money on filler tissue for gifts and packages, just use old magazines. It's very original and prevents extra spending and allows further use of an otherwise trash-bound item.

Shoeboxes

As a student, I often don't have the money to buy typical storage containers. Therefore I utilize shoeboxes, a great form of storage! I use some to store winter clothes (like scarves, gloves, beanies, thermals, etc.), some to store DVDs (most shoeboxes are the perfect size), and just all-around junk. They're box-ish, and therefore easy to stack and store in a closet or under the bed. These shoeboxes would eventually hit the recycle bin but using them as storage containers prevents the purchasing of other containers that require more resources and energy to manufacture.