Recycling Bins can help you figure out the challenges of recycling

Recycling & Solid Waste Management

Recycling has its challenges...

It's important to recycle, but not everything can be recycled. Recent changes in the global recycling market (for instance, China tightening its contamination rate standards and no longer accepting scrap metal) can impact the way American recyclables are managed. It's become even more important to learn what can and cannot go in the recycling bin, because contamination affects the quality and value of recyclables. To see what can currently be recycled in Columbia and Greene Counties visit the Columbia County Solid Waste Department or Greene County Waste Transfer Station websites. Of course, recycling is just one piece of the solid waste management puzzle. When coupled with waste reduction, reuse and composting, all of these efforts can produce great benefits like energy savings, pollution reduction, reducing waste going to landfills and the conservation of natural resources.

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On November 15th help celebrate the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.

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Article Highlight

14 Ways Consumers Can Reduce Food Waste

Author: Alice Henneman, MS, RDN

Read the full article from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to go more in depth!

1. Shop the refrigerator before going to the store

2. Move older food products to the front of the fridge/cupboard/freezer and just-purchased ones to the back.

3. Keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below to prolong the life of foods.

4. Freeze or can surplus fresh produce using safe, up-to-date food preservation methods.

5. Take restaurant leftovers home and refrigerate within two hours of being served.

6. Dish up reasonable amounts of food at a buffet and go back for more if still hungry.

7. Compost food scraps for use in the garden.

8. Check product dates on foods.

9. Look for recipes on websites that can be searched for by ingredients to use up food at home.

10. Buy misshapen fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets and elsewhere.

11. Rather than buy a food for use in only one recipe, check if there might be a suitable substitute already in the home.

12. Check the garbage can.

13. Donate safe, nutritious food to food

14. If you have several foods that might go to waste at the same time, try adding them to such adaptable recipes as salads, soups, pasta and casseroles.banks, food pantries and food rescue programs.

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