Recycling Is A Recycled Idea

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Recycling may seem like a new trend, but it has actually occurred in America since the 1600s.  Paper peddlers would collect old rags and paper as an effort to make a living, but they were also serving an environmental need. 

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The Rittenhouse Mill in Philadelphia turned recycled rags into paper, establishing itself as the oldest-know recycling center in the United States.  The idea spread to mills in other cities and by the 18th century, paper peddling was a common profession.  The business was built on the economic necessity to reduce waste and pollution.  It allowed recycled materials to be mixed with wood pulp to create new paper.  Despite their efforts, the New York City streets were still covered in trash.  It wasn't until 1895 that the City's first sanitation department was established.  The rest is history!

Recycling has made major advancements over the centuries, and Americans now recycle 74% of their office paper.  Still, wasted paper ends up in the trash and eventually to our landfills.  Boro-Wide Recycling is working to help keep our planet safe by providing comprehensive recycling services to commercial and residential customers.  Join us in our efforts!  Contact us to learn how we can help you in your recycling efforts.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter to keep up with the latest news in recycling efforts and eco-friendly tips.  To learn more about the history of recycling in America, click here. 

Green Super Bowl Party Tips

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The players have arrived!  That's right, Super Bowl XLVIII is just 6 days away!  Are you hosting a party this Sunday?  There's no reason for you to break your resolution to be eco-friendly with these green party tips!

• Skip the cans.  Limit your canned ingredients by buying natural products.  Rather than using canned chili, buy some chopped meat and make it homemade!  Your guests will be impressed and nothing beats the taste of a homemade meal!
• Buy in bulk.  Buying economy sized snacks will help reduce the amount of plastic packages used. 
• Switch up your party menu.  How many bags of chips does 1 party need?  Replace some of those chips with produce, like veggie sticks.  They go great with dip!
• Use real silverware.  Most household kitchens have dishwashers now.  It takes 5 minutes to load the washer after the party.  Press the start button and let the machine do the rest!
• Lose the shoes.  Keep toxic chemicals outside your house by asking your guests to leave their shoes at the door. 

For more green party tips, click here. 

Boro-Wide Recycling can help you in all your recycling needs.  We offer comprehensive recycling services for residential and commercial clients.  Keep up with the latest recycling tips by Liking us on Facebook and FOLLOWING us on Twitter.  To learn more about our services, visit our website or contact us. 

Tips For Sticking To Your Resolution

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Are you having a difficult time sticking to your New Year's resolution? Don't give up!  We understand that making a life change is not easy, so it's time to get re-inspired!  Think about the motivation and determination you felt when you first made your resolution.  We're going to help bring that back with these tips:

1. Take it one day at a time.  Don't think about how many months you have left.  Rather, focus on making each day better.  How can you get closer to your resolution today? 
2. Talk about it.  Share your resolution with your family and friends.  When you start to lose motivation, they can help support you and get you back on track!  Also, studies have found that when people vocalize their goals, they are more likely to stick to them out of fear of embarrassment if they do not succeed.
3. Be kind to yourself.  So you ate something unhealthy or skipped a day of cleaning?  No one is perfect.  Just don't make it a daily habit.  Forgive yourself for slipping, and move on. 
4. Write it down.  Write your resolution on a piece of paper and hang it on your refrigerator.  This daily reminder will help keep you focused and motivated. 
5. Track your progress.  Many times, people are so focused on the end result that they are unable to see the small changes that are happening each day.  Take a step back to acknowledge the progress you've made!

Boro-Wide Recycling offers comprehensive recycling services for commercial and residential customers.  If you made a resolution to improve your home or office, Boro-Wide can help you achieve your desired results.  Contact us to learn more about our services.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more tips on home improvement and the benefits of recycling.

From Sundress To Shoulder Bag; Ways To Up-Cycle

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

New Yorkers can expect up to 14 inches of snow by Wednesday as a result of the looming storm.  Unsafe driving conditions make staying home the best option for the next few days.  Make the best of your time snowed in by practicing your resolution to improve your home.  Now is the perfect time to tackle that closet you've been avoiding, or finally sorting through that bin of clothing that you haven't seen in years. 

When dealing with clothes, it's a good idea to make separate piles.  1 pile for clothes you want to keep; 1 for those you want to donate, and 1 for those that belong in the trash. 

The clothes that no longer fit and seem to be in good condition are perfect for donating.  Someone will greatly appreciate the new clothes, especially in these cold winter months.  The clothes that have rips and tears belong in the trash, however if you feel too attached to those ripped jeans to throw them away, try sewing them or adding a patch. 

There are many ways to up-cycle old clothing.  Check out the following:

Hanging hair tie/ clip holder from jeans.
Ruffled shoulder shirt.
Turtleneck makeover.
Sundress to shoulder bag.
Book cover from a waistcoat.
Old skirt to apron.
T-shirt to toddler dress.
Sweater to slouchy hat.
The possibilities are endless with your old wedding dress!

For more great ways to up-cycle your clothes, click here!

Boro-Wide Recycling provides recycling services to commercial and residential customers.  Contact us to see how we can help you and all of your recycling needs.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more up-cycling tips.

How To Recycle Anything!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You've made the decision to improve your home the eco-friendly way in 2014.  You now use fluorescent light bulbs, unplug unused electronics, and have become a master at de-cluttering your space.  Congratulations! You're helping to save our planet and for that, we thank you!

Now it's time to take your recycling skills up a notch.  Through your weeks of disposing and recycling items, you may have come across one or two that stumped you.  Are these empty or old makeup tubes recyclable?  Do my old CDs belong in the trash? The answers may surprise you!  Check out how you can recycle the following items:

• Makeup: Makeup contains chemicals that are toxic to the Earth if thrown in the trash.  Some manufacturers are making strides on this front by offering customers incentives.  MAC offers a free lipstick to those who turn in 6 or more empty MAC containers. 
• CDs/ DVDs: Greendisk.com recycles old CDs and DVDs so you don't have to worry about them ending up in a landfill. 
• Backpacks: Old backpacks can be donated to a shelter or charity.  The American Birding Association also accepts donated backpacks, to be used while tracking birds (americanbirding.org).
• Carpets:  Carpetrecovery.org helps you find a carpet reclamation facility near you.  Some carpet makers, like Milliken, even have their own recycling programs!
• Crayons: The National Crayon Recycle Program melts down used crayons and reforms them into new ones! 
• Crocs:  Croc manufacturers recycle used Crocs into new shoes and then donate them to underprivileged families.  Talk about supporting a good cause!
• Formal Wear:  Do you have an old prom dress or ball gown lying around?  Chances are you won't be wearing it again, so why not give it to someone who could?  Operation Fairy Dust and Catherine's Closet accept used prom dresses, ball gowns, or bridesmaids dresses and give them to girls who can't afford one! 
• Old Sneakers:  Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program accepts any brand of sneakers and recycles them into courts!  You heard correct!  Kids around the world are staying active and playing on recycled sneakers!  Pretty cool, huh?
• Tinfoil:  Wash off any food particles, and toss it in with the bottles and soda cans!
• Christmas Lights:  Holidayleds.com accepts old holiday lights.  The company also sends you a coupon for 10% off their LED lights, which are guaranteed to last 10 years or more!

To learn what other items you can recycle, click here!

Boro-Wide Recycling offers comprehensive recycling services for residential and commercial customers!  Contact us to learn how we can help you in all your recycling needs!  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more eco-friendly tips! 

Most Common Housekeeping Resolutions

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Have you decided to make your home a priority during the new year?  You're not alone! Check out the top 7 most common housekeeping resolutions!

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1: Save money on housekeeping budget.  Recycling and reusing old items are a great way to save money!  Shopping with coupons, limiting utility costs by line drying your clothes, and using energy efficient appliances are also great ways to cut housekeeping costs!

2: Learn to clean more quickly.  No one wants to spend an entire day cleaning, and as a result, many of us skip it completely.  What a great reason to learn to clean more quickly!

3: De-clutter.  Getting rid of old, unused items goes beyond cleaning, but the end result will be worth all the hard work!

4: Get organized.  A common resolution is to get the house organized.  No more misplacing bills!

5: Set a cleaning schedule.  Dedicate time to your humble abode! Setting a day and time each week or month will help you stay on track all year long!

6: Get motivated! Feeling excited about cleaning is not always easy.  Try to visualize your goal and what your house will look like once you're done!  Who wouldn't want to make their dream home a reality?

7: Make it a family affair.  Recruit the family to help with household work.  No one is too young to learn the value of an item!

Boro-Wide Recycling offers comprehensive recycling services to commercial and residential customers.  Contact us for more information or Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more recycling news and tips!

30 Easy Ways To De-Clutter Your Home

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

There's no time like the present to finally begin some of the projects you've long been procrastinating.  Need an extra boost of motivation? Make it your New Year's resolution! January is a clean slate, so leave your lazy habits in 2013 and embrace the new, more enthused you!

We can't think of a project we put off more than de-cluttering our home.  The thought alone is unnerving.  To help ease the pain, we've gathered 30 tips that will guarantee your home will be clutter free in one short month!

1. Set a date.  Schedule a day and time every week where you can get things in order.
2. Pick a target.  Choose the area of your home that needs the most work.
3. Visualize the final product.  Keep your eye on the prize.
4. Dispose of items that are no longer useful.  No you're overalls will not be making a "come-back".
5. Divide and conquer.  Keep 3 bins handy: 1 for laundry, 1 for donations, and 1 for trash/recycling.
6. Group like items. Sometimes we lose track of how many of the same items we actually have because they are scattered everywhere.  Grouping them will help you see what you're really dealing with.
7. Examine your groups.  No one needs 50 pairs of pants.  Pick your favorites and donate the rest.
8. Create themes for your space.  Categorize your items.
9. Make the most of your space. Use adjustable shelves or stack items.
10. Pick things up off the floor.
11. Use containers to eliminate unnecessary piles of papers.
12. Color coordinate your closet.
13. Use warm, overhead lighting to brighten a room.
14. Store items close to where you will be using them.  For example, keep your pots stored near your stove. 
15. Label everything.
16. Store your valuable items in a safe box.
17. Store towels in your bathroom.  No more worrying about running down the hall to get one out of the linen closet!
18. Get the family involved. 
19. Make sure every room has a waste basket.
20. Go through your closet at the end of every season. 
21. Unsubscribe from magazines that you no longer read.
22. Check expiration dates.
23. De-clutter your bathroom countertop with storage baskets.
24. Don't let old newspapers and magazines linger.  Recycle immediately.
25. Get rid of hotel shampoos. 
26. Recycle junk mail.
27. Keep a file draw for current papers.
28. Each time you leave a room, pick something up to throw away.
29. Put everything in its' place the minute you walk through the door.  Hang your coat, don't throw it on a chair where it will likely stay until the next morning.
30. Use clear bins for storage, allowing you to identify what's inside.

Boro-Wide offers comprehensive recycling services for commercial and residential customers.  Contact us for more information on how we can be of service to you.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more recycling tips. 

Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Tips

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Most of the people you know have probably made "get fit" or "lose weight" their new year's resolution.  While we think it's great to better your body, we think it's even better to better your home! 

Your home is your sanctuary.  It is your escape from the noise of the outside world.  Many of us neglect it or fail to keep up with the maintenance.  It's time for a change!  You've already made an effort to go green over the holidays, now extend that to the new year.  Check out these great tips for improving your home the eco-friendly way!

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs consume 75% less electricity than that of an incandescent bulb and lasts up to 10 times longer.  These bulbs not only save you money, they also save energy!  Unlike the incandescent bulbs, CFLs convert the energy they use into light, not heat. 

Unplug electronics.  LED devices, such as televisions, continue to glow after you shut them off, thus power is still being used which you are paying for.  Leaving your cell phone charger, printer or other devices plugged in after being used results in an unnecessary cost.  Before leaving a room, unplug your devices!

Fix the drip. A drippy faucet can waste up to 74 gallons per day, and a leaky toilet can waste up to 200! By repairing your leaks, you can save money and help prevent a water shortage across the country.

Replace appliances.  If it's time to replace your appliances, be sure to look at the labels!  Choose products with an Energy Star label.  This guarantees the products are energy efficient and can help you save money on energy bills. 

For more tips on how you can improve your home the eco-friendly way, click here!

Boro-Wide Recycling offers comprehensive recycling and waste management services to residential and commercial customers.  Contact us to learn how we can help you in all your recycling needs.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more eco-friendly tips.