Recycling saves the environment, but you can do much more than just throw recyclable materials in roadside bins. There are a lot of things you can do around the house with old sheets of paper that you no longer need. Follow these steps to maximize your recycling.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Recycle in the Garden and Garage
Step 1. Turn newspapers and sheets of paper into compost
Cut the paper into strips and lay a layer around your plants. This will help prevent weed growth and keep the soil moist. Later the paper will decompose and help give nutrients to the soil.
- Corrugated cardboard is also useful for this purpose.
- Do not use paper that is coated or printed with colored ink.
Step 2. Add the newspaper to the compost
Newspaper adds carbon to a well balanced compost and is classified as "brown". Read our guide on how to make a balanced compost here.
Step 3. Protect the house from stains
Use old newspapers as a stain protection while repairing your car or while painting and staining furniture. Use them as a covering for the home during all your crafts.
Method 2 of 4: Recycle in the Office
Step 1. Print on the back
Many printers only print on one side. If you're printing something that doesn't need a professional look, use the back of a pre-printed sheet that you no longer need.
Step 2. Create a notebook
Stack up used sheets. Turn them upside down and then bind them on top with staples or a clothespin paperweight.
Method 3 of 4: Recycle at Home
Step 1. Make a cat litter box
The strips of newspaper can be transformed into a real litter box for the cat. All you need is a little baking soda.
- Cut the paper, preferably in a paper shredder.
- Soak the paper in warm water. Add some biodegradable dish detergent.
- Drain the water and put the paper to soak again, this time without detergent.
- Sprinkle the paper with baking soda and mix the dough. Then squeeze it as much as possible.
- Crumble it onto a surface and let it dry for a few days.
Step 2. Wrap the gifts
Use old newspapers to wrap gifts. Comics are particularly suitable because of their colors.
Step 3. Pack a box
Use old paper to fill a package to ship. Wrap fragile items in layers of paper and fill the empty spaces in the box with crumpled paper so that the contents stand still.
Step 4. Make a book cover
With paper envelopes you can make old and new hardcover book covers, and then decorate them as you like.
Method 4 of 4: Recycle Through a Waste Disposal Service
Step 1. Contact your local waste disposal company
Ask about available recycling services and the existence of any recycling centers in your area. Ask for details on what can and cannot be recycled.
Step 2. Find out what can and cannot be recycled
Different zones have different rules on what materials they can accept, but here is a list of the things they generally accept or reject:
- Things you can recycle: newspapers, magazines, maps, packaging, envelopes, cardboard.
- Things you can't recycle: wax paper, laminated paper, pet food bags, greased food paper.
Step 3. Sort out the waste to be recycled and put it on the roadside
If the waste disposal company offers a recycling service, throw your recyclable waste (after sorting it) in the special bins on the side of the road on the day of collection.
Step 4. Take the old paper to a recycling center
If your local waste collection company doesn't recycle, or if you have too many things to fit in the bin, pack your materials for recycling and take them to your local recycling center.
Advice
- Don't print sheets you don't need.
- Keep a box to throw the paper in in the kitchen or next to the computer; this way you are more likely to remember.
- Don't buy post-its. Use excess paper from previous prints, or use computer post-its.
- Set your printer to the duplex option. If this is not in your printer settings, try printing one page at a time, in order to rotate the sheet manually.
