Links and Resources
It's a great big world out there. Here are some links that we've picked out as helpful in learning to manage your recycling.
There's a lot more info where that came from...
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance - Provides a comprehensive list of related websites for citizens, businesses, industry and local decision makers.
www.p2pays.org/
Earth 911 - Helps to locate recycling centers for any specific good. Also offers interesting articles and advice for living as "green" as possible. www.earth911.com/
RE3 - A website aimed at a young adult crowd dedicated to the three R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Offers videos and songs encouraging responsible waste management. www.re3.org/
MyEcoVille North Carolina - A neat resource for getting to know the benefits of recycling as applied to the state, your county or municipality. http://nc.myecoville.com/
How to recycle more than just plastic...
NC WasteTrader - One man's trash is another man's treasure. This website is meant to connect people who have waste with people who want that material. Post what you have, or post what you want. http://www.ncwastetrader.org/home.aspx
NC BiomassTrader - Similar to WasteTrader, this site connects people who have biomass with people who want it. http://www.ncbiomasstrader.org/home.aspx
The Consumer Recycling Guide - This site gives a tutorial on how to recycle just about anything, with special attention given to the items that are harder to recycle. www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html
Electronics Takeback Coalition - An extensive list of electronics manufacturers who offer takeback programs to recycle their products. www.computertakeback.com/recycling/manufacturer_takeback_programs.htm
So what happens to it after I put it in the bin?
The Cycle - Watch this interactive tour to see what happens to each item after it's taken away from your house. A great tool, good for all ages. www.explorethecycle.com/
For kids!
Recycle Guys - Offers music, videos, games and activities for kids of all ages. http://www.recycleguys.org/
Energy Kids - This website teaches kids about using and saving energy in homes, buildings, transportation, and consumer decision making. While designed for a younger crowd (think middle school), this site does a great job at not "dumbing down" information.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=3
Planet Protectors Club - Join the Planet Protectors Club and play with these games and activities as you learn about improving the world and creating less waste. www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/kids/planetprotectors/index.htm
Recycle City - Explore Recycle City to see what its residents are doing to make the world a better place. Have any ideas for your own home? www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm
The Rotten Truth (About Garbage) - An exhibition for the older kids, telling about people who have made a difference and offering a variety of activities to get motivated. http://www.astc.org/exhibitions/rotten/rthome.htm
Recycled Crafts
CraftGossip - Ideas and tutorials for creating furniture, art, clothing, and home decor out of everyday recycled materials. http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com
ReadyMade - Readymade offers tutorials on how to make incredibly unique and environmentally friendly home decor using primarily recycled materials. http://www.readymade.com/
Make-Stuff - Click the type of item you have and it will give you a list of crafts you can make using it. http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/
Crafting a Green World - This website is meant to serve as a resource for crafters to be sure that they are crafting in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Instead of tutorials on how to craft, it provides photos to inspire you and offers suggestions for what kinds of materials to use. http://craftingagreenworld.com/
More about SWEEP
Frank Chyz and Richard Burke, SWEEP Members, had an interview on WNCW. Listen to it here.
What else is happening in Rutherford County?
SunCatcher Design Group, LLC - A local company builds solar greenhouses. http://www.suncatcherdesigngroup.com/
Rutherford FreeCycle - Here, FreeCycle members post what items they have that they are willing to give away. It's a great way to extend the life of an item. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RutherfordFreecycle/
Foothills Connect - This group is aiming to to support the development and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurship in Rutherford County. Visit their website to see some of the latest projects and discover where you can get involved. www.foothillsconnect.com
Practice Conservation
Water: Use it Wisely - Provides conservation tips, facts and resources. Includes a list of 100+ ways to conserve water. http://www.wateruseitwisely.com
How to Conserve Electricity and Energy - A good resource for making changes around the house to cut down on electricity consumption. www.howtoconserveelectricity.com/
Bottle Bill - Learn all about the "bottle bill," which requires a deposit on all beverage containers; the deposit is returned when the bottle in turned in to be recycled. This bill is currently in effect in 11 U.S. states and it works! www.bottlebill.org
What else can you do that's good for the earth?
Ecological Footprint Quiz - Figure out how many earths we would need to sustain a lifestyle like yours. How can we get this number to one? www.myfootprint.org/en/
The Informed Consumer Initiative - The Department of Energy and Natural Resources' site to promote environmentally friendly decision making. www.eenorthcarolina.org/consumer.htm
TreeHugger - Provides up-to-date news, activities, resources, forums, games and so much more. Whether you consider yourself a "treehugger" or not, this site has a variety of information regarding transportation, travel, architecture, celebrities, fashion, or food. www.treehugger.com/
Guide to Cigarette Litter Prevention - Explore strategies to prevent cigarette litter in your community. http://www.preventcigarettelitter.org/ |
Did You Know? On average, it costs $30 per ton to recycle trash, $50 to send it to the landfill, and $65 to $75 to incinerate it. Where to Now?We've got an assortment of handouts that you are welcome to download and distribute. The more the better, really.
Sometimes it's hard to know how to get a recycling routine started. Don't worry. We've got that information for you.
We believe that recycling should be taught at a young age. See what we're doing within the school system to promote good habits.
Learn more recycling tidbits. The more you know, the more you'll care.
If you're planning on hosting a public event any time soon, consider borrowing some recycling bins. It's free!
To become a member of SWEEP, or just voice your opinion, contact us.
Return to the SWEEP Homepage.
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