Styrofoam Recycling
Styrofoam cups are an item that we all know is harmful to the environment. Harmful chemicals are used in the production of this item – and once deposited in the land fill – it is there for a long time before it decomposes. We all want to reduce our use of this item. We have learned to stay away from the coffee shops that don’t offer the paper cups or the fast food franchise that will not cooperate with going green.
But sometimes, no matter what we do – on occasion we will get stuck with one of these styrofoam cups from a luncheon or a drive through.
Here is an easy way that you can reduce the use of your styrofoam cups that you use by 50%.
Once you finish drinking from the cup – bring it home with you and rinse it out for reuse. Keep it in the kitchen and use it for the next time you want to take coffee on the road with you – or simply reuse at home for your next morning’s coffee break. It will keep your coffee warm for quite a long time. Feeling brave? Rinse and reuse two… or three times!
It may not sound like much – but even if you used a styrofoam cup twice before recycling – instead of once – you could theoretically reduce your usage of this item by 50%.
Just think if everyone in the world did this – - Quite an impact!
Recycling at Work and at School
The idea of recycling can easily extend to your place of employment as well as the school you are enrolled in. You can start by getting this critical issue recognized by management or your school dean.
Often times you will find that people just need to be educated about the benefits reusing products. Other times a gentle nudge is all that is needed to start an effective recycling program. The information you communicate can motivate others in your workplace to join in the effort.
If you are teacher employed at a school – don’t underestimate the importance of getting the kids involved. Children get easily excited and join in when they know they are truly part of real life recycling drive.
These children – and the co-workers you work with – will then go home and hopefully get their own families involved in recycling.
Do you purchase products for your business? Buying paper products that have already been recycled is an easy way to show your support for these efforts. You may have noticed that there is a growing segment of break room supplies that are made from recycled paper content.
Do you eat lunch out when working? Other popular paper supplies that are recycled are fast food napkins and paper cups. More and more conscious fast food restaurants are abandoning the styrofoam cups that are so harmful to our planet. Give your business to green friendly businesses.
Another simple way to cut down on the use of paper products is to not use them at all! Start using reusable shopping bags the next time you are at the make a shopping run for your business or are at grocery. When they ask you: “Paper or Plastic?” – you can say, “Neither, I brought my own bags!”
TIP: Look for the durable shopping bags – They might be more expensive – but they will last years longer than a lighter weight version.
