We all generate lots of trash every single day.
How many people do actually recycle their stuff?
I know that some places have bins that are easily accessible for people to throw their paper, plastic or glass in and all it requires is a little bit of effort.
Other places provide special bags for recycling stuff and it gets specially picked up every week.
That’s also relatively easy to do.
Then you get the places are not so jacked-up and it actually does require a fair amount of trouble to recycle properly.
If your area does not have good recycling habits there are other things that you can do to help out.
Most places in South Africa have people who trawl around the bins in aresidential areas on rubbish day.
They take out all the plastic, glass and paper to be recycled.
They get money for this stuff – and often this is their only source of income.
I know some people whinge and mutter because they don’t always leave the bins nice and tidy as they found them, but actually they’re doing the earth a service.
Why fill up the landfill more when we can recycle?
So… the nice thing to do is to help out and try and separate your own rubbish.
Save all your glass bottles and jars and put them into a separate bag in the bin.
Do the same with tins, plastic, paper and cardboard. Make sure you wash out tins and plastic containers first.
It must be really horrible for the people who collect this stuff to have to grovel out yukky miffy old disgusting cans with bits of mouldy dog food or baked beans clinging to the sides.
You could also find out if any of the play schools in your area need stuff – like the inside cardboard roll in the toilet paper, cereal boxes, plastic trays, jars etc.
They often use things like that for craft projects or for storage.
If you have batteries, bulbs or ink cartridges you can usually recycle those in the bins in Pick ‘n Pay.
They know how to properly dispose such nasty things.
Some batteries have mercury in them and you really don’t want those to end up in the landfill.
All it takes is a bit of time and organisation.
Give it a go!
Sibo
