How To Reuse Plastic Bottles: DIY Crafts

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of
Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reduce, reuse, recycle. How many times have you heard this slogan before? This combination of words, popularly known as the "3 R's," is commonly used to guide people in their recycling efforts. But for now, let's focus on reuse. Recycling is more than just sorting your household items into different bins for disposal; it also includes reusing items that can serve more than one purpose. If you're looking for a little weekend fun, check out these DIY crafts that allow you to reuse and re-purpose any plastic bottle:

1. Food Canister: Collect two plastic bottles to make canisters for rice, beans, noodles, sugar and more. Cut one bottle for the base and one for the cover (the base should be longer than the cover) and then fill with food!

2. Watering Cans: Take any plastic bottle and place holes through the cap using a nail and a hammer. If you want to avoid doing the job yourself, you can place the bottle upside down over your vase; the water will slowly trickle down and keep your plant thriving.

3. Desk Organizer: Plastic bottles are great for making pen holders and desk organizers. All you have to do is cut the upper part of the bottle off and then decorate as preferred!

 4. Bird Feeder: For this craft you will need one plastic bottle and one or two wooden spoons. Start by inserting the spoons through the bottle and then fill your bottle with food. Make sure the holes in your bottle are large enough for the food to slip out onto the spoon.

5. Snack Bowls: Use the bottom half of any plastic bottle for a quick, homemade snack bowl. Cut the bottom part of the bottle off and then use an iron to remove any ridges or sharp edges.

6. Emergency Spoon: If you're in need of a spoon but only have a soda bottle, you're in luck! The round part of your bottle's bottom can easily be turned into a spoon with a little time and careful cutting.

7. Garden Sprinkler: To make a homemade sprinkler, make some holes in the body of a soda bottle using a nail. Then, attach a hose to the bottle's nozzle with duct tape and watch how your garden is quickly nourished!

8. Toilet Paper Holder: Be creative! Cut the bottom part of your bottle to be the same size as the paper roll, and use what's left ofter to act as your cover. After, remove the cap and pull the paper through the hole.

9. Magazine Organizer: If you're home is full of newspapers and magazines, why not get organized? Start by cutting the upper part of your plastic bottle just wide enough that a folded magazine can fit inside. For added creativity, try nailing them to a board that you can hang on your wall.

What will you turn your plastic bottles into? Let us know!

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.

Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of Pixabay

As we welcome the spring season, many of us are getting ready to perform our annual spring cleaning routines. Whether you're looking to reduce clutter in your home or are simply looking to wash away the winter blues, any amount of spring cleaning is a great way to freshen up your home and put you in a feel-good mood. However, before you pick up any cleaning materials to get started, find out how you can help protect and clean the environment while also cleaning your home:

Clean Naturally
Instead of cleaning counters and floors with chemicals that reduce air quality and harm the environment, consider mixing a few household items to use instead. To make your own cleaning materials, mix baking soda, lemon, vinegar, salt, liquid soap and hot water; it's sure to do the trick!

Clean With Reusable Wipes and Scrubbers
Your spring cleaning efforts don't need to end with a trash can full of paper towels. To clean off any surfaces, try using reusable scrub brushes or homemade cloth cleaning rags that you can wash and reuse at any time.

Use Natural Air Fresheners
Though synthetic air fresheners smell great, they could be contaminating your home with phthalates or formaldehyde. Before turning to air fresheners for a fresh, clean smell, try opening the windows or place houseplants around your home.

Let It "Hang Out"
Since the weather is getting warmer, rather than toss your wet clothes into the dryer try hanging them outside. If weather doesn't permit this option, consider an inexpensive drying rack that you can set up inside your home; both are equally as effective!

Revamp Your Green Routine
After you've cleaned out your closets and dusted off your shelves, commit to staying green throughout the year. Take some time during your spring cleaning to reorganize your recycling bins, and get a head start by properly recycling the things you plan to get rid of.

For a complete list of green spring cleaning tips, click here.

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.

NYC's Lincoln Square Implements New Recycling Program

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

As we step into spring, New York City officials are continuing to implement waste management programs in an effort to reduce the amount of trash left on our streets. The latest development comes from the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID) and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Together, these organizations seek to make NYC's Lincoln Square one of the cleanest neighborhoods in the city.

To encourage people to keep the streets free of waste, the BID has strategically placed 22 recycling cans throughout Lincoln Square; 11 for paper and cardboard and 11 for glass, metal and plastic. Since NYC is famous for being the city that never sleeps, people can be seen walking around with materials such as paper, plastic and aluminum all throughout the day. Members of the sanitation department suggest that incorporating these bins into our city's waste management program will make it easier for New Yorkers and visitors to recycle their paper, bottles and cans when they're on the go.

To learn more about Lincoln Square's new recycling initiative, click here.

So, what can you do to help keep our city clean? 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.  

Compost Islands for New York City

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Every year, New Yorkers are responsible for producing more than 14 million tons of trash. But did you know that approximately 29% of the trash that is sent to landfills is actually eligible for composting? In order to manage this waste more effectively, architects at PRESENT Architecture have designed a plan to direct any compostable material away from landfills and onto what will be known as compost islands.

This project, also known as Green Loop, seeks to turn the city's compostable waste into multi-purpose islands around each of the five boroughs. Rather than have sanitation trucks bring our city's organic waste to landfills with the rest of our trash, Green Loop intends to have the waste brought to 10 multi-layered tipping and composting stations that will be built just offshore. Overall, the project hopes to serve as a solution for curbing pollution, eliminate unwanted city odors, and provide more than 125 new acres of park land to the city. On top of the composting facilities, elevated recreational parks that can be used for gardening and sports will be implemented.

Although the projected plan comes with a hefty price tag attached, project leaders Evan Erlebacher and Andre Guimond suggest that over time Green Loop will make sense financially since NYC already spends over $300 million a year to bring waste out of the city to landfills. 

For more information about Green Loop, click here.

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.

Recycled St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

This weekend is sure to be a green one with tons of St. Patrick's day parades, parties, and feasts taking place. How do you plan on celebrating? If you're looking for ways to get the family into the holiday spirit, here are some eco-friendly St. Patrick's Day crafts for kids that can help you celebrate while recycling household items in a creative way:

St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun: 
This lucky leprechaun can be made from an oatmeal box, pringles tube, or paper towel tube.

3 Leaf or 4 Leaf Tissue Paper Clover:
This clover is a great way to reuse all of the green tissue paper you have left over from Christmas! For instructions and a list of supplies, click here.

Cup Style Leprechaun Hat:
This holiday hat can be made from a toilet paper roll or cup such as a large yogurt container. Cut out the bottom of your cup, cover the outside with yarn until it is covered, use felt or a plate for the brim of your hat, and then fill it or leave it as is. 

Egg Carton Clover:
Empty egg cartons make for all kinds of eco-friendly arts and crafts activities. For St. Patrick's Day, cut and paste different pieces together, paint them green, and add a popsicle stick for your stem!

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.

Fact or Fiction?

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You've probably heard people say that recycling is too difficult, too expensive, and that the items end up in the trash like everything else. But, just because people say it doesn't mean its true. While it can be hard to distinguish between recycling facts and myths, knowing the truth can help better your recycling efforts and in turn better the environment. Here are some of the six most common recycling myths and the real truth behind them:

It Takes MORE Energy to Recycle Than to Make New Products?!
Wrong! This myth is often shared in an effort to devalue recycling, but did you know that we actually save about 11.9 BTUs per ton of recycled material? Compared to the amount of energy it takes to make new products, what we save in recycling adds up over time and helps to preserve our natural resources.

Recycling is USELESS if You Mix Your Materials?!
Useless?! In the early days of recycling it was necessary to sort out plastics, aluminum and glass by hand. However, most recycling plants today have machines that sort out our waste for us, making it much cheaper and less labor-intensive on our part.

Containers Must Be Washed Before Recycling?!
Although it is helpful, you CAN recycle containers without washing them since processing plants are able to remove most of the residue from our cans and bottles. Additionally, you don't need to remove any labels since they burn off from the heat during the recycling process anyway.

Landfills Provide MORE Jobs Than Recycling?!
People against recycling will often say that landfills provide important jobs and economic production for rural communities, but research shows that the recycling process actually provides more jobs and economic growth than a new landfill.

Recycling is Too Difficult?!
The thought of the labor involved in recycling can seem overwhelming, but if you're organized it shouldn't add too much time to your daily chores.

Recycled Products Are Of POOR Quality?!
People will often avoid recycled goods because they think they were poorly made. The truth? Products made from recycled materials are indistinguishable from new products. Many times, companies who use recycled products also put extra time and effort into ensuring that the quality of the product is just as good.

Many people have let myths like these discourage them from practicing good recycling habits. In reality, however, living by these myths will actually lead to more harm then good. Make today the day you start to look at recycling differently and spread the word; every step we take is one step closer to bettering the world we live in.

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.

E-Waste? E-z solutions!

 Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It's no secret that we live in a world where technology surrounds us; it's everywhere! But while we are continuing to come up with new "must have" gadgets, the amount of e-waste that is not properly recycled is increasing at an exponential rate. By throwing away old and unused electronics, we are releasing chemicals like lead, cadmium and mercury into the ground and water supply, which leads to damaging health and environmental concerns. So, how can you help? Here are some ways that you can recycle your electronics and help reduce e-waste:

Re-Sells and Buy Backs: If you're planning on splurging on a new device, try selling your old ones to reduce what actually comes out of your pocket. If you're looking for a quick way to turn in your items and still make some money, try buy back or trade in programs. Check out Amazon, eBay, eBay Instant, or Gazelle if this is the option for you.

Donate: Even though you feel like a device is too outdated or slow for your purposes, there are plenty of other people who can use what you don't need. Schools and libraries are always in need of computers, and charities like Cell Phones for Soldiers happily accept old cell phones so returning soldiers can stay in touch with family and friends.

Recycle: Traditional recycling is also a great way to eliminate old electronics from your home. There are many companies who specialize in recycling electronics, so do your research and find out which one works best for you.

Be Creative: Outdated technology can easily come back to life with a little effort and creativity. Put your brain to the test and see what crafts you can come up with, but try to avoid using batteries and screens since they contain harmful chemicals.

Now that you know how easy recycling your electronics can be, are you ready to join us in a movement to reduce e-waste? For more tips on recycling electronics, click here.

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.

Surprising Things You Shouldn't Recycle

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Image courtesy of
anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We all know recycling is important to help the environment, but it's even more important to know how to recycle correctly. Often, items we believe to be recyclables but are not get thrown into the bin, which could actually cause more harm to the world we live in. To make your recycling efforts more effective, we've compiled a list of surprising items you should not recycle: 

1. Coated Materials: Research suggests that 73 percent of people believe they can recycle juice boxes, but quite the opposite is true. Household items like juice boxes, chip bags, frozen food boxes, and any other materials with plastic, glossy, or shiny coatings are not considered recyclables. 
2. Food-Stained Materials: Items like pizza boxes, used paper plates, napkins, paper towels, and jars with food remnants do not belong in the recycling bin. While these materials are recyclable, once they are contaminated with food they are not. In fact, grease and other elements in food can harm the recycling process and even damage recycling machines. 
3. Lids and Caps: A common recycling mistake is leaving the cap on your water bottle before throwing it in the recycling bin. While the bottle can be recycled, the cap is made from a different kind of plastic that needs to be recycled separately. This also holds true for laundry-detergent caps, peanut-butter lids, and any plastic labeled as No. 5. 
4. Paper: Although a sheet a paper can be recycled up to five or six times, shredded paper is difficult to recycle. Brightly colored paper can also pose a problem and could even ruin an entire batch of recycling paper. 
5. Plastic Grocery Bags: Plastic grocery bags are harmful to recycling equipment because they are likely to wrap around the machinery. Head to your local grocery store to find out if they have a special recycling program for plastic bags and dispose of them there. 
6. Cosmetics: Cosmetics cannot be processed with the rest of your recyclables because they are made up of so many elements. Fortunately, many cosmetic companies offer recycling services for any type of makeup regardless of the brand. 
7. Special Recyclables: Items like batteries, CFL bulbs, cell phones, and print cartridges can be recycled but they need to be disposed of properly. In order to prevent potential hazardous materials or chemicals from entering the environment, wrap these items up and place them in a specially labeled bin designated by your local recycling service.

Before you place something in the recycling bin, make sure it's okay for it to be there. Knowing which materials can be recycled and where can go a long way, so up your efforts and help make a difference today!

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.