12 replies to this topic

[QuatreHiead]

Hello all! I was hoping I could get some advice how to start my family and friends who currently don't recycle onto doing so.

It breaks my heart every time I hear the age old "well, if they want us to do it, they should have a way closer and more convenient to do so." This was most of the response I received from a friend I recently came to realize does not recycle.

He did recycle when he was in school, as the dorms and apartments had recycling drop off centers in the building. Are there ways to start your friends and family on to recycling? Even if it is the most basic things like water bottles, paper and cardboard?

I appreciate any help!

[FamilyTreeClimber]

QH, I have always believed that the easier they make it the more people will make the effort.  In your area do you have to take your recycling to the center yourself?  Here our waste management company picks up everything ever two weeks.  It makes it so much easier since all you are doing is throwing things in one bin or the other.

Maybe what you could do is make it a group effort.  This might not be feasible, but you could offer to take the stuff to the recycling center if people will agree to sort their garbage and have it bagged for you.

If people use a computer printer, have them save the paper that is printed on one side for reuse.  It can be printed on both sides or it can be used for scrap paper.

[artistry]

Perhaps as FamilyTreeClimber sugggested, a group effort could be used, by contacting the center, requesting a closer site for drop-off, for all those doing the recycling. Then those participating could take turns, making the run with the items.

[dconklin]

Taking turns would be a good way to get it to everybody to recycle.  Maybe they can see if the town or township they live in could start a better recycling program.  Sometimes you can get certain garbage companies to put a dumpster somewhere for recyclables or even give you the plastic cans for recycling.  If everybody in the neighborhood was willing to have it picked up, they may work with the neighborhood.

We have it real easy here, we have a garbage truck and recycling trucks.  They both come on the same day, once a week.  Tho it helps because most people around here recycle now, there are still some lazy people that can't be bothered to separate the trash from the recycling.  Overall there are more people who recycle here then people who don't.

[zararina]

Putting a recycling bin in your home or area might make them interested into recycling by putting things there that in the garbage can. Also letting them read or join "green" forums, articles and sites might help them feel encourage to also recycle. Giving them ideas  how to recycle and what to recycle could also help them for being aware of those things.

[Sandra Piddock]

I'm inspired by the things that people create from recyclable items, so I tend to point this out to people who think recycling is a waste of time and effort. It sounds dull if you think you're just recycling a plastic bottle to be made into another plastic bottle, but when you see creative people making dresses, bags, rugs and even temples from recycled stuff, all of a sudden, recycling becomes sexy - or as sexy as empty wine bottles can ever be.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Have them read my last post in this thread-
it gives startling statistics and motivation.
http://www.altenergy...me/page__st__20

[meowcow]

It's really difficult to convince someone who does not know or believe the core beliefs of something. I would just start out by finding a way to set up his home to be more efficient in a green way without deterring too much from his current habits or routine. Maybe an extra trash can that will be for plastic and could be shipped separately to a recycling plant. After the initial steps maybe that person can see that it does not take too much effort to join in and that he does not have to wait for someone to set it up for him before he will actually do it, and maybe he will get inspired to incorporate a few more green ways of his own.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

meowcow, on 02 July 2012 - 10:24 AM, said:

It's really difficult to convince someone who does not know or believe the core beliefs of something. I would just start out by finding a way to set up his home to be more efficient in a green way without deterring too much from his current habits or routine. Maybe an extra trash can that will be for plastic and could be shipped separately to a recycling plant. After the initial steps maybe that person can see that it does not take too much effort to join in and that he does not have to wait for someone to set it up for him before he will actually do it, and maybe he will get inspired to incorporate a few more green ways of his own.

I don't mind getting my hands dirty-stuff washes off.

That's how I started with several of my clients-I'd pick through the trash and salvage plastic, cans and even
paper if it wasn't soiled. Didn't have to do it for long-a day or two maybe and as I was taking these items out of
the house when I was finished for the day, I'd let them know that I was taking these things to be recycled.

They don't have to clean or sort it, just put it all in one place for me and I do the rest.

For getting someone else to start, they will quickly learn to clean the items a bit so they
don't attract bugs. They don't even have to buy bins; they can use free cardboard boxes for goodness sake.
No money spent.

And though I hate to promote walmart, they have stores everywhere and they all have recycle binsin their parking lots.
It's not that big a deal to carry a bag of stuff or keep a box in the car and drop it off there.

Do these people that don't want to consider it have kids? Do they want clean air and water for their kids? Ask them that.

[QuatreHiead]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 02 July 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

Have them read my last post in this thread-
it gives startling statistics and motivation.
http://www.altenergy...me/page__st__20

Thanks this is a great thread that has quite a few good points on the benefits of recycling and what it has brought to people and what it can bring. I do agree with the idea of limiting the amount of trash and trying to save on using more materials to make things from scratch. It's great to see that this is an issue that isn't common to most other places. I've moved recently and here recycling is far more commonplace. The places to take recycling are far more accessible and readily spotted. Unfortunately, where my family and some friends live that is not the case.

I appreciate all the great suggestions everyone!

[MakingCents]

You have to make it easy for them to get started, Set up a box for them and offer to come pick up the stuff?  Once they get into the habit of it, I'm sure they will make a greater effort themselves.

[fancyfingers]

One thing I have found that works with my family is ask your family and friends to save the water bottles, aluminum, etc for you or your school. It works great when it is for you, and the family sees you turning the recyclebles and getting cash. I have seen family go from laughing at me for collecting from them, to them asking what else can they recycle and get money. I then use the time to show them how to recycle more and more. Baby steps.

Same with the coffee grounds, veggies skins, etc. When family and friends come over and make comments on how beautiful the flowers are and what is my secret, that is when I go on and on about mulching.

[jenniferwit80]

Hi, I am looking for a cheap waste recycling Management Company in Scranton city area. My grandfather has bought a new place in outside of town and they are looking for someone who can take our old waste stuffs like scrap parts, computer parts, paper, garment garbage etc but I am thinking about getting some payment any reference and how to talk to these companies to pay us more.

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