Reusing Household Items

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of
zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Anyone can throw away old or unused items; that's easy! But have you ever thought of what you could do with them instead of kicking them to the curb? With a little time and effort, even the simplest items can be turned into something great, and they could even save you a little bit of cash! Check out our list of 10 household items that can easily be saved and reused to reduce waste:

1. Dish Soap Bottles: Any dish soap bottle can be used as a container for another product. Try using one to filter out the perfect amount of pancake batter (or any ingredient) to enhance your cooking experience. You can also use a dish soap or squeeze bottle as a way to fill an iron with water or water plants that you can't seem to reach. 
2. Egg Cartons: Used egg cartons are great for freezing individual products like cookie dough batter or meatballs. You can also use empty cartons as a mold for Jell-O treats! Besides food, egg cartons are a great way to nurture plant seeds, store golf balls, or organize change. 
3. Floor Tiles: Floor tiles make for the perfect arts and crafts activity. With extra floor tiles, you can create a piece of mosaic art such as a tabletop or trivet. First, break the tiles into pieces in a cloth bag, then arrange them in a pattern on any solid surface, adhere with a floor-tile adhesive, and push grout into the cracks after the adhesive drives. 
4. Old Socks: Socks that lose its pair are great to keep small toys organized or to keep odds and ends in one location. You could also use old socks to cover your shoes if you're doing something messy. Lastly, old socks make for great dog and cat toys - include a tennis ball or catnip toy inside and sew shut! 
5. Old T-Shirts: Instead of throwing out a T-shirt that has one too many holes, put it towards making a pillow cover or quilt. T-Shirts are also great to keep for cleaning rags or to wrap breakable items in. 
6. Paper Towel Rolls: Rather than having plastic bags all over the place, use old paper towel rolls to keep them contained. Paper towel roles can also be used to keep extension cords untangled, hair bands organized, and linens crease-free! 
7. Plastic Shopping Bags: Now that you know how to preserve your plastic bags, it's time to learn how to reuse them. Plastic bags can be used to line the bathroom garbage as well as keep flour and sugar from spilling all over your kitchen cabinets. 
8. Shoe Boxes: Shoe boxes are perfect for creating storage bins for your closet or dresser-drawers. To spice them up, cover them in a wrapping paper print that shows off your style. 
9. Shower Curtains: Reuse unwanted shower curtains as tablecloths at an outdoor gathering or as drop cloths if you're painting. Shower curtains can even be used as a windshield cover to prevent frost from forming. 
10. Wine Corks: Though they may be small, wine corks are great if you're looking for a safe way to store knives in your drawer. These also make for an arts and crafts activity where you can create a key-chain or wreath for your door.

The next time you go to throw away one of these items, think twice about what you could do with them instead. Remember, most items can serve more than one purpose, and aside from helping yourself, you're also helping the environment! How cool is that?

At Boro Wide Recycling, we work to 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, and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news in recycling efforts and eco-friendly tips.

How To Recycle In New York City

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you know that New York City generates 12,000 tons of refuse each day? Howcast.com has gathered some great tips on how you can recycle some of that waste and help clean up our city. Check out the following video:

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.

Be The Change: Start Today!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

There's no time like the present to make a change for the better. It doesn't take much to recycle, just a little knowledge on the subject. Do you know which items can be recycled or what to do with leftover egg shells? We've gather some great tips to help you on your eco-friendly journey. Check out the following recycling tips:

1. Plastic bottle caps can be recycled with the bottle. Many community recycling programs accept bottle caps. Check with your local solid waste office to be sure.
2. Half is better than none. You may not be able tor recycle the whole pizza box, but if the top half is grease-free, rip it off and recycle it!
3. Every community has different rules for recycling. Do some research. Don't just assume an item is not recyclable. Your community may have different rules.
4. Recyclable sleeves. Many communities do not recycle plastic cups due to the wax lining, but the cardboard sleeves are a different story!
5. Save trees! Recycle your daily newspaper, magazines, and mail!
6. Plastic bags of all kinds. Why stop with your grocery bags? Recycle your dry cleaning, newspaper, and bread bags! It is likely your local grocery store accepts these materials for recycling.
7. Reduce unwanted mail by unsubscribing to the catalogs you no longer want.
8. Be mindful of what you put in the recycling bin. The last thing you want to do is contaminate the recycling process. Contact your local recycling office for a list of acceptable materials.
9. Keep garbage bags handy. Stocking your car with a bag for garbage and a bag for recycling helps assure you're always ready.
10. Recycle cans. Metal is accepted by almost all recyclers.
11. Donate your outdated cell phone to a local charity or a drop off facility near you.
12. Composting is a hard pill to swallow. If you're not yet ready for it, try diverting waste in other ways. Toss your egg shells and coffee grounds into the garden. Both items will help to enrich your soil.
13. Keep recycled content products in demand by purchasing items that have been recycled.
14. You don't need to rinse out your glass bottles or jars before recycling.
15. Don't forget the items that aren't in the kitchen! Recycle old shampoo bottles and toilet paper rolls.

For more tips on recycling, click here.

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.

Eco-Friendly Activities To Keep Your Kids Busy During Winter Break

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

It's winter break and while the kids are bouncing off the wall with excitement, parents can feel a little overwhelmed and desperate for activities to keep them busy. The following activities are fun ways to keep your children occupied while strengthening family bonds. Furthermore, these engaging crafts have eco-friendly benefits. Check out the following:

• Create a board game and pieces using old cereal boxes or shoe boxes. Use cereal bites as the pieces and eat them when you're finished!
• Create puzzles using old boxes. Draw on the blank side of the box, then cut out the pieces.
• Gather old holiday decorations that would otherwise be going in the trash and let your kids decorate their rooms.  This allows them to channel their inner creativity and is a great way to use that old wrapping paper, lights, or tissue paper!
• Start a band! Fill old soda bottles with rocks and pebbles, turn pizza boxes into banjos and tin cans into drums. It will keep the kids busy and even give you parents a nice break. Ask them to put on a show for you while you enjoy some down time on the couch.

For more activities to keep your little ones busy during winter break, click here.

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.

Date Night Ideas For Valentine's Day

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Are you still looking for plans for Valentine's Day? Skip the traditional dinner and opt for a fun filled night with your loved one. We've gathered some hands-on date ideas that are sure to make your Valentine's Day one to remember. Check out the following:

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Art Studio: 
Get crafty with your loved one by enjoying an intimate couples' paint session. Enjoy complimentary wine and snacks.
Where: Art Studio NY, 145 W. 96th St. Suite 1B
When: February 14, 6:30p.m.-9:00p.m.
Price: $95 per couple.

Salsa on 2:
Learn to dance the salsa with your sweetheart!
Where: Stepping out Studios, 37 W. 26th St.
When: February 14. Beginner class at 7:30 p.m.-8:30p.m.; Intermediate class: 8:30p.m.-9:30p.m.
Price: $20 per person.

Bubbles and Bites:
Why go out to a crowded restaurant when you can enjoy the intimacy of cooking with your loved one.
Where: Cooking By The Book, 13 Worth St.
When: February 14, 6:30p.m.-9:00p.m.
Price: $125 per person.

Valentine's Day! Wine and Chocolate:
Enjoy savory wine and chocolate pairings.
Where: Bedford Cheese Shop, 67 Irving Pl.
When: February 14, 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
Price: $60 per person.

To see more Valentine's Day date ideas, click here.

Do you have another Valentine's Day date idea? We'd love to hear it! Share your plans with us on Facebook!

How To Reuse Anything!

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Almost everything we buy and use can be reused for other purposes.  The process of reusing an item saves time and energy that would otherwise be exerted in a recycling plant.  We've gather some ways you can bring a second life to your simple everyday home items.  Check out the following:

• Bring old blankets and towels to your local animal shelter.  They can be sued to give animals a soft and warm place to lay.
• Reuse brown paper bags as book covers.
• Use old papers as scrap paper.
• Reuse heat by leaving your oven door open after use.  This allows the warm air to heat your house.
• Reuse coffee by putting it in the fridge to make iced coffee. 
• Donate pens and leftover art supplies to schools.
• Donate old clothing to local charities.
• Reuse old pillow cases for rags.
• Reuse newspapers an magazines as wrapping paper.
• Donate old books to libraries or local schools.
• Reuse an old toothbrush by using it to clean hard to reach places in your bathroom.
• Give stale bread to birds.
• Reuse a received gift bag by using it for a gift you're giving. 

Want more ways to reuse items in your home? Click here to see how you can reuse everything!

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.

NYC Takes Recycling Initiatives

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Recycling has become a major factor in the well-being of our lives and more and more people are getting involved and supporting the cause. NYC is an example of a city that is taking initiative through the banning of styrofoam. The city council voted and banned styrofoam take-out containers. City-goers were using 23,000 tons of foam each year. This foam breaks down into tiny pieces and can find its way into the ocean, which has toxic results. McDonald’s is just one of the fast food places that are participating in the Styrofoam ban. The city’s objective is to get 75% of waste out by 2030.  So, what can we do to help the environment? There are a variety of ways you can reduce waste and recycle. Here is a list of things you can do with recycled goods:

§  Recycling newspapers can save one tree.

§  You can reuse newspapers by using it to wrap gifts.

§  Recycling cans could be made into furniture, airplanes and more.

§  Plastic bottles can be made into rugs, jackets and fences.

§  Aluminum foil can be made into a hat.

§  Recycling glass bottles could turn into roads, tiles and surfboards.

§  Rubber shoes when recycled can make basketball courts and soccer fields.

§  Buy reusable utensils and dishes.

§  Recycle all types of paper.

We've made some great efforts to increase and grow recycling programs, but there's always more we can do! DO your part and don’t forget to ALWAYS RECYCLE!

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.

The NFL Makes Recycling Priority In This Years Big Game

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Did you watch the Super Bowl yesterday?  Chances are you did, as the big game reportedly had 96.9 million viewers.  This year, the National Football League made efforts to create an environmentally friendly game.

For the first time in Super Bowl history, food waste was collected on game day for composting and to be used as biodiesel to power generators.  The materials went to a giant compactor and then were transported to a local facility to be processed.  The final product can be used for landscaping.  Used cooking oil was used to process biodiesel fuel that was used in generators to power Super Bowl Boulevard in New York City.  This 13-block party featured entertainment in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.  The NFL also planted trees near the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to offset carbon emissions.

But the recycling efforts didn't stop there!  In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, the NFL sponsored e-waste recycling events and collected 9,000 pounds of old phones, computers and gadgets.  Now that the game is over, the NFL plans on donating miles of fabric signage to non-profits and other groups for re-purposing.

For their tremendous recycling efforts, we commend the National Football League.  To learn more about the NFL's recycling initiative, click here. 

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 needs.  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.