Break Bad Habits In The New Year!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

The New Year is the perfect time to start fresh and make a change.  This year, make a resolution that will not only better yourself, but the Earth as well.  Check out these 5 tips to break bad habits, become a better you, and save our planet:

1: Quit Smoking.  Smoking is a dangerous habit that causes harm to you, those surrounding you, and the environment.  By reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke, or cutting them out of your life completely, you are creating cleaner air to breathe and decreasing the number of cigarette butts polluting the outdoors.  If cleaner air and a longer life is not reason enough to quit, think of all the money you'll save!

2: Clean Out Your Closet. The New Year is the perfect time to de-clutter your life, including your closet! Clutter not only makes it difficult for you to find the shirt you want to wear on Friday, it also blocks air flow, causing mold, dust, mildew and bacteria.  None of which are good for the environment.  Donating your clothes is a great way to get rid of those items you didn't even know you had and will make you feel good for helping others. 

3: Exercise. Do you really need to drive your car down the block to pick up milk from the store? Reduce the amount of time you spend in the car by walking, biking, or rollerblading to nearby destinations.  This will benefit you in more ways than one! The exercise is great for those who also have "lose weight" on their list of resolutions.  Also, you will save money on gas and reduce the amount of toxins in the environment.  That's a win for everyone!

4: Watch What You Eat.  Choose healthy, more natural foods.  Your local food market is sure to have the freshest ingredients needed for a healthier you! When you go shopping, remember to bring your own reusable bags.  Many grocery stores reward you and your green efforts by giving you discounts! Did you over-shop for the holidays and now have too much food? Donate leftover cans and uncooked foods to shelters or food drives.  They will appreciate the generosity and you can feel good about giving someone a nutritious meal!

5: Get The Most Out Of Life! Don't let life pass you by while you're sitting on the couch watching pointless television.  Get out and enjoy nature.  Inhale the air (which is now cleaner, thanks to you), run around, keep your home looking nice with some gardening and home maintenance.  The New Year has brought a new you! Make the most of every situation, keeping these tips in mind! We guarantee you'll be feeling great!

Contact Boro-Wide to learn how we can assist you in all of your recycling and waste disposing needs.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more recycling tips!

Boro-Wide, The Beginnings

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

 

Boro-Wide Recycling began in 1956 as a one-truck hauling company.  Today, the company is moving toward its third generation of family ownership and has expanded its services to offer comprehensive recycling and waste disposal services. 

Boro-Wide credits its success to the unwavering commitment and dedication to execute each job with the highest quality personal service.  We pride ourselves on staying at the top of industry standards through over 50 years of sanitation experience. 

Our highly trained workers are knowledgeable in the latest, most up-to-date environmental and safety guidelines in the industry.  Boro-Wide remains conscious of protecting the environment and continually work to meet the needs of our customers while protecting landfills. 

Find out how Boro-Wide can meet your recycling needs by visiting our website, or contact us for additional information.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for the latest news and recycling tips. 

Delicious Holiday Recipes

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

We know during the next few days everyone will be preparing their holiday dishes and baking cookies and other tasty treats.  Check out these delicious recipes that your family and friends will be sure to love. 

• Peppermint Snow Pie 
• Gingerbread Cupcakes 
• S'mores Cake 
• Oreo Cheesecake Bites 
• Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Boro-Wide Recycling wishes everyone a healthy and safe holiday season.  Please contact us for more information on how we can help you in all your recycling needs. 

Recycling Myths Revealed

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

There are many misconceptions and myths about recycling.  We are going to set the record straight!

Myth: Labels must be removed from items before putting them into recycling container.
Fact: You do NOT have to remove the label from the item before recycling.  Labels are destroyed during the recycling process.

Myth: Lids and caps cannot be recycled.
Fact: Lids and caps are recyclable and can be let on the bottle when placed in the recycle bin.

Myth: You need to remove staples before recycling mail and paper.
Fact: You do not need to remove staples before recycling paper.  Also, the plastic window found in some envelopes can be recycled as well!

Myth: It is okay to flush medication down the toilet.
Fact:  Do NOT flush medication down the toilet! Contact your doctor to learn what you can do to get rid of expired or unused medication.

Myth: Latex paint is hazardous.
Fact: Latex paint is not hazardous and is in fact water-based.  When dry, it may be placed with your regular refuse. 

Myth: It is okay to put electronic devices in the trash.
Fact: It is illegal to throw certain electronic devices in the garbage.  These devices should be brought to your local electronics drop off location. 

For more information about these recycling myths, click here.  Boro-Wide is a full service provider of recycling needs and waste management.  Contact us to learn how we can help you in your commercial and residential recycling goals. 

Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Wrapping Gifts

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

With the holidays just around the corner, most people are finishing up their shopping and beginning to wrap presents.  After all of the efforts you've made to go green this year, why stop during the holidays?  Using store-bought wrapping paper is wasteful, especially when there are many eco-friendly alternatives that could be used. 

• Outdated Maps: Everyone has old maps lying around their car or house.  Check to see if they are outdated.  If so, make them useful!  They're great for wrapping gifts.
• Brown Paper Bags:  The big brown bags that you used to get at the grocery store, before you bought a reusable green bag, are perfect for gift wrapping.  You can even make them personal by drawing and decorating the paper!
• Newspapers:  Use the comic section to wrap gifts!
• Cloth/Fabric: Wrapping your gifts in cloth eliminates waste and provides an extra gift to your loved ones!
• Gift Boxes: Many times our gifts are already in gift boxes, and yet we feel the need to wrap them.  Why? A gift box is already beautiful!
• Children's Art:  Have your kids create pictures that you can use to wrap gifts.  Everyone will love the personal touch!
• Jars: Jars are great when giving candies and homemade treats! Throw a bow on it to give it a festive look!

For more eco-friendly wrapping tips, check out http://goo.gl/XehD2c.

Boro-Wide Recycling is experienced to assist construction, commercial and residential customers into ridding waste from landfills.  Contact us to learn how we can meet all your recycling needs and help you protect our planet. 

What To Do With Old Electronics

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Many of us look forward to the gift of technology during the holidays.  With the ever-evolving electronic market, there is always a new, more improved gadget to be had.  After you are done reading the owners manual and discovering the features your new technology offers, stop to think about what will come of your old gadget.  You can help to reduce e-waste by taking these steps to recycling electronics:

1. Turn in your old electronic device.  Many retailers nationwide have reliable recycling programs.  Best Buy offers a Take Back program, accepting all electronics regardless of point-of-purchase.  To find a program located near you, click here.
2. Verify Your Recycler.  There are many certification programs for e-waste recycling that utilize safe, market driven recycling methods. 
3. Pay it forward. Donate your unwanted devices to charity.  There are many organizations that collect refurbished phones or computers and donate them to  less fortunate communities. 
4. Prevent Identity Theft. Recycling objects that contain personal information can make you susceptible to identity theft.  Check out these services that will erase your information before you donate: Norton Utilities and Recellular. 
5. Buy Green.  There are many eco-friendly devices that are made from recycled and biodegradable materials that are available for purchase. You can also reduce waste by opting for a rechargeable battery. 

For more tips on how you can reduce waste and recycle electronics, click here.

Boro-Wide Recycling has helped improve New York's impact on the environment through eliminating the waste that would clog up our landfills.  Contact us to find out your recycling options and how we can help you in your green initiatives. 

Can Your Leftover Liquor Bottles Be Recycled?

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

The holiday season is upon us, making parties and gatherings a routine event.  We join our families and friends for celebrations filled with tons of food and drinks, all the while making lifelong memories.  We want to remind you that many of the objects you will be so quick to throw in the trash are actually recyclable!

Many parties revolve around the refreshments being served.  Bottles and cans of soda and water begin to pile up, and before you know it you've got a bag full of empty drinks!  These items are 100% recyclable! 

Have you ever wondered what to do with your empty liquor bottles?  Recycle them! Many states allow these bottles to be placed in general recycle bins, however some ask that you take them directly to a recycling center.  Not sure where your nearest recycling center is? Click here to find out!

If you can't find the time to make a trip to the center, "upcycle" instead! Turn those empty bottle into flower vases! Be creative! For more unique ways to use your leftover liquor bottles, click here.

Contact Boro-Wide Recycling to learn how we can help you in all your recycling needs!  Visit our website for more information on the services we offer!

Why Should You Recycle Glass?

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you know that recycling glass is simple and benefits the environment? Glass that is sent to a landfill can take a million years to breakdown!  However recycled glass will appear on a store shelf in another form in less than 30 days.  

There are many reasons why recycling glass is important.  For example:

• Sustainability. In addition to its quick turnover time, glass has the ability to be recycled repeatedly with no loss of quality.  
• Efficiency.  Recovered glass serves as the primary ingredient in new glass containers.  
• Conservancy.  By recycling glass, natural resources such as sand and limestone are conserved.
• Energy Saving. Conserving natural resources means that heat is not required to transform them into glass. As a result, the energy that would be needed to fuel the heat machines can be saved. 
• Useful. Recycled glass can be used in many objects such as floor tiles or decorative pieces.
• It pays. Many states offer cash refunds for most glass containers, making recycling financially rewarding!

Find out how Boro-Wide can help you and your recycling needs by contacting us or visiting our website.  For recycling tips or to keep up with the latest news in green initiatives Like us on Facebook or FOLLOW us on Twitter!

For more information on the benefits of glass recycling, click here.

New Dining Policy Reduces Food Waste

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Thanksgiving is gone, but the leftovers aren't! Most of us have been slowly making our way through the containers of stuffing and potatoes for the past few days but there is only so much turkey one person can handle.  Thus, our once delicious leftovers make their inevitable trip to the trash.  As a result, food waste piles up. 

Food waste is a major problem in the United States.  Many times, we bite off more than we can chew, other times it seems that the portions we are served are oversized.  The Los Angeles Times stated that almost 40 percent of the nation's food supply is thrown away. 

Some restaurant owners have developed their own solution to the problem by charging diners a fee for uneaten food.  For "all-you-can-eat" style restaurants this seems like a reasonable request.  Isn't a buffet only worth the money if you are going to eat as much as you want without waste?

While this solution has gotten negative feedback from some patrons, it is rather commendable that restaurant owners are going to such great lengths to eliminate food waste.  Other solutions include recovering good food from the trash and recycling leftovers for composting and energy generating. 


Contact Boro-Wide to find out what your recycling options are and how we could help you in your green initiatives. 

Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more tips and information on waste solutions!

For more information on the new dining policies regarding food waste, click here.

Make Your Holidays Green!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

The holiday season often brings out our gluttonous side due to the overwhelming amount of food and gifts we have all come to expect.  Every year our mailboxes are stuffed with holiday cards and trips to the grocery store become more and more frequent. Between office parties, “friendsgiving”, and the usual holiday gatherings we find ourselves eating our way through the winter months not considering the consequences. This behavior affects more than just our waistlines. We want to remind you to be conscious of disposing waste this season. Check out these Green alternatives to holiday traditions:

• Bring your own reusable bags when you go grocery shopping.  Many stores will reward you with a discount! 
• Send an e-card! There are many electronic services that allow you to custom design your own personal e-card including photos!
• Keep your leftovers fresh with recyclable aluminum foil, rather than plastic wrap!
• Out with the old, in with the new! Rather than disposing of used and outdated cell phones or clothing, donate the items to a shelter or charity!

For more recycling tips check out http://www.grownyc.org/holidaytips. 

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp. is a full service provider of waste management services.  Click here to contact us for more information on how we can assist you in your stride to go green!

New York Makes Strides For Climate Sustainability

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Mayor Mike Bloomberg continues to fight for climate sustainability with the proposal of banning foam food containers from being used.  New Yorkers alone dispose of 23,000 foam containers per year and while street vendors and restaurateurs prefer these heat-keeping containers, they have proven to have a slow breakdown rate within landfills.  

The banning of this container, which has already been implemented in some west coast cities, will result in a higher cost for take-away products by vendors and restaurant owners.  As a result, there is much controversy revolved around the issue.

The future of the foam container in New York will be up for debate this winter.  For more recycling information visit our website at http://www.borowide.com/.   

Holiday Recycling

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

The Holidays are a great opportunity to incorporate recycling into your daily routine.  With Thanksgiving coming up, many of us are reflecting on what we're thankful for.  At Boro Wide Recycling, we're thankful for this great planet we live on, and plan to spread the word to others about how they can help to take care of it!

Did you know that the there is 25% more trash produced during the Holiday season?  This amounts to a lot more waste.  What a perfect opportunity to recycle.  There are a lot of holiday items that you may have not realized are recyclable, especially items used for decorating.  Before the season begins, here are a list of items to "be in the know" about:

- Unwanted/Broken Holiday Lights
- Paper/Plastic Lawn Decorations
- Wrapping Paper (You can even re-use it!)
- Gift Boxes
- Used Cooking Oil
- Batteries
- Holiday Cards (Think GREEN and send out E-Cards this year!)
- Christmas Tree
- Wreaths/Garland

All the above items should be recycled this holiday season.  We hope you'll participate!  If we work together to recycle everyday, we can make the world a better place.  Call Boro-Wide Recycling for all you residential and commercial recycling needs!

November 15th is America Recycles Day!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you know that tomorrow, November 15th is America Recycles Day?  It’s a nationally recognized day chosen to raise awareness on why recycling matters and to encourage people to get involved.  The day serves as a perfect platform for recycling education. 

We’d like to share a few tips we found on America Recycles Day’s website:

Tip #1: Plastic bottle caps are usually recyclable along with the bottle! Check with your  local solid waste & recycling office to be sure, but many recycling programs accept bottle caps, made from #5 and #2 plastics.

Tip #2 Half is better than none! Although you can’t recycle your whole pizza box, you can tear off and recycle the top half, as long as it’s grease-free. As always, check with your local solid waste and recycling office to be sure. Keep this tip in mind if you’re picking up a pizza or ordering in this weekend!

Tips #3: When it comes to recycling,every community is different. Do some research to make sure you’re recycling all the materials accepted in your community. Check with your local solid waste and recycling office or americarecyclesday.org/find-recycling for information on your local recycling options.

Tip #4: A trick up your sleeve: Many recycling programs don’t accept paper cups because of the waxy lining. Don’t forget to recycle the cardboard sleeve!

Tip #5:  Look beyond the daily paper. Does your community recycling program accept cereal and tissue boxes? Magazines? Mail? Check with your local solid waste and recycling office to make sure you’re doing all you can to save trees!

Tip #6: Plastic bag and film recycling doesn’t stop with grocery bags. Recycle your dry cleaning, newspaper, & bread bags and also the plastic film on products like paper towels. 

Tip #7: Reduce and reuse first to shrink your environmental footprint! Reduce your unwanted mail by unsubscribing via CatalogChoice.org.

Tip #8: What you don’t put in your recycling bin is just as important as what you do recycle. Know what’s recyclable in your community so you don’t contaminate the recycling process.

Tip #9: Keep bags for both trash and recycling in your car. Pre-sorting makes it easier to recycle on the go.

Tip #10:  Recycling: it’s not just in the kitchen. Don’t trash your and shampoo bottles and toilet paper rolls just because they’re in the bathroom!

Tip #11: Can it! Metals are among the most valuable materials in the waste stream and almost all recyclers welcome aluminum and steel. So, recycle your cans!

Tip #12: Answer the call to recycle your wireless phone! 100 million of them go out of use each year, according to the U.S. EPA. Donate your out-of-use cell phone to a local charity or find a drop-off facility near you (AmericaRecyclesDay.org/find-recycling).

Tip #13: Don’t exclude your food. Not ready to dive into composting just yet? Toss your egg shells and coffee grounds into the garden instead of the trash. You’ll be diverting a little waste and enriching your soil at the same time.

Tip# 14: Close the loop by buying recycled content material. Recycling is the first step in the cycle, then the material is processed, and the last step is up to you:  Keep recycled content products in demand.

Tip #15: You don’t need to rinse out your glass bottles and jars before recycling!

We hope you'll take the time to spread the word.  Looking for a recycling or waste management solution?  Call Boro-Wide Recycling at (718) 416-1656 today!

5 Things You Didn't Know About the Recycling Industry

Dropping a plastic bottle in the recycling bin can be very simple, which is why most people do not think about what happens to it after.  Where does it go?  It falls into the hands of a $500 billion global industry that impact the life of every American, and likely employs more people than any other industry except agriculture.  Here are 5 things you need to know about recycling if you hope to understand how and why it is already transformed your world, whether or not you practice good recycling habits. 

1. Only around 60% of the recyclable waste generated in the US annually is recycled in the US.  The rest is exported, mostly to China.
2. China is both the top importer of recyclable waste, also the world's top recycler. 
3. Before the USA began exporting its recyclables around the world, the world sent its recyclables here.  In the 19th century, when Americans were desperate for steel to build the nation's railways, steelmakers imported hundreds of thousand of tons of steel scrap from Europe. 
4. The media has depicted the so called e-waste (electronic waste like computers, smartphones etc.)  as being dumped on the developing world by the US.  Earlier this year, the US International Trade Commision released the most comprehensive study of the American e-wast industry ever.  It concluded that only .13% of the 4.4 million tons of e-waste generated by America in 2011 was exported for "final disposal.
5. The American automobile is still the world's most recycled product, by weight. 

Remember that the next time you bring your recyclables to the trash room, you are not only committing a good deed on behalf of the environment, you are contributing to a global trade that predates your grandparents.  For more information on the facts above please visit http://goo.gl/Rkjnvo.

Call Boro-Wide Recycling for all of you recycling needs, residential and commercial.718-416-1656.

NYC Restaurant Challenge

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

New York City is one of a handful of cities that is working to keep food waste out of landfills.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a lot to do with the recycling efforts of many of NYC's citizens.   This year 100 if the city's 24,000 restaurants signed on to the city's voluntary pilot program and committed to recycle their food scraps.  Mayor Bloomberg has recently introduced legislation to the city council to mandate the City's largest restaurants to separate their food waste by 2014.  The head of the New York State Restaurant Association worries that the infrastructure is just not available to accomplish this lofty goal. Find out more about the NYC Restaurant Challenge: Recycle All Food Waste here: http://goo.gl/5vwt91

Call Boro-Wide Recycling for all of you recycling needs, residential and commercial.
718-416-1656.

Producers Should Shoulder More of the Recycling Cost

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Over the past 11 years, Mayor Bloomberg has made great progress to help improve the environment for New York City, like planting hundreds of thousands of trees, reducing indoor air pollution by banning smoking in restaurants and bars, and creating more than 350 miles of bike lanes in the five boroughs.   These are great strides to improve our environment, but he has neglected the quantity of waste that the city sends to landfills, until recently.  The outgoing Mayor announced a major expansion of the types of plastics New Yorkers can toss into their recycling bins. 
Why should the burden fall upon the taxpayers?   Who should be responsible for what happens to consumer products and packaging when we're through with them?  For the most part, our current systems is very lenient with producers of single-use plastics, allowing them to offload costs related to disposal onto the taxpayers.  The taxpayers pay for collection and transfer to recycling facilities, or landfills. 
Things are changing, more states, cities and concerned individuals have begun voicing their demands that producers of consumer goods take a greater responsibility for their products at the end of their useful lives. For more information on the problem at hand and what is currently being done please visit http://goo.gl/I3wPg2.

Boro-Wide Recycling is dedicated to creating a better world through recycling.  Please contact us for all your recycling and waste removal needs, residential or commercial!

Things You Never Knew Were Recyclable

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Sometimes recycling takes creativity and also some knowledge of the industry.  It can be confusing deciding what is recyclable and where to dispose of it.  Recycling can really help our environment and also make it a healthier place for us to live.  It is not always easy to know exactly what can be recycled, there are some great recyclable items that are available in your everyday life that you would never think to recycle. 

• Hair- Human Hair is compostable and recyclable.  The hair from your brush or fur from your pet holds a lot of useful nitrogen that can be thrown in a compost pile.  You can donate your hair to create booms that soak up oil spills.
• Jeans- Donating your jeans to Goodwill is always a good option.  But if they are too raggedy, they can be recycled to make insulation products, to be used for interior and exterior walls and ceiling applications. 
• Cotton Swabs- Cotton is also a good material for a compost bin.  Cotton balls, cotton swabs, lint from the dryer and even old shredded cotton and wool clothing can go into your compost.
• Keys- Keys are made of valuable metal, programs like Keys for Kindness raise money for Multiple Sclerosis through recycling keys.
• Golf Balls- Most golf balls are made in two or three parts.  A two piece ball is composed of just rubber and plastic which are obviously recyclable.

For a full list of obscure recyclable items please visit http://goo.gl/n7yHVH.  Call Boro-Wide Recycling for all of your recycling and waste removal needs residential or commercial.