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Published March 10, 2010, 11:43 AM

Recycling away from home - It's easier than it looks

Recycling cans and bottles is easier than ever – both at home and in the work place. Rules like sorting and crushing, or removing lids and labels – you can scrap all that. And when you reduce what you throw in the trash, you‘ll see a difference – starting with your garbage bill. Call Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at(218) 722-0761 or go to wlssd.com.

By: AJ Matthews, Living North

Now that you’re pretty good about recycling at home, it’s time to take the show on the road. Have you ever felt a wave of guilt as you tossed a soda bottle or can into the trash while you were on vacation, at a game, or out on the town? It’s hard to do the right thing when recycling services are inconvenient or not offered.

But new opportunities to recycle are cropping up all the time.

Recycling bins for your beverage cans and bottles have recently been placed at some area convenience stores.

Message in a Bottle is a statewide program that provides convenient, on-the-go recycling. Look for the bottleshaped recycling bins at gas stations. Visit recycleminnesota.org for more information.

But what about when you’re not at a convenience store? Have you ever been

to a hockey tournament, basketball game or theater where there was no

recycling bin to be found? Of course, you could cart those recyclables around with you so that you can recycle them at home. However, another option is to find a staff member and ask where the recycling bins are located.

If no recycling services are available, encourage the facility to implement a recycling program. Contact the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at (218) 722-0761.

Another time to think about recycling is when you’re traveling. Whether it’s a tropical vacation or just an overnight trip, you can still have a green adventure. As hotels work to meet the needs of their customers, some locations have embraced the appeal of a greener home away from home. When looking for a reservation, ask the customer s ervice agent if recycling services are available in guest rooms and lounge or dining areas. You can also inquire about the use of green cleaners, energy policies, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening or lawn care and water conservation efforts.

It’s also a good idea to employ some of the conservation efforts that you use at home when you’re on the go. Unplug unneeded appliances like coffee makers and hair dryers, hang towels or use the “do not disturb” sign so housekeepers won’t replace sheets and towels that likely do not need to be laundered during your stay. Take your own toiletries instead of using the provided single-use soap and shampoo. You can also visit these Web sites for more information on green travel: gogreentravelgreen.com

and exploreminnesota.com.


AJ Matthews is an environmental program coordinator for WLSSD.

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