Sustainability 101: How to Start Recycling

Going green has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years, and for good reason! Being more sustainable in our everyday lives helps our environment now and for future generations. One of the simplest ways to start being more sustainable is by recycling. It can be daunting at first if you don’t know where to begin, but that’s where we come in. Check out our tips on how to start recycling at home, and you’ll be on your way to a more sustainable life in no time!

Recycling at Home

When you’re ready to start recycling, it helps to begin with where you spend the most time and produce the most waste -- in your home. There are many ways to recycle at home, without having to plan too far ahead or do too much more work. Starting your recycling regimen at home can be quick and easy with these simple steps:

Enlist Your Family:

Dedicating your home to recycling isn’t something you can do alone, it’s an effort that the entire family has to be working to achieve. Talk to your family about the importance of recycling, and give out tasks for each member of your family. If your kids are old enough, let them help sort your recyclable items to ensure that they are going to the right place. You can use this time to teach lessons about sustainability in a tangible way.

Check With Your Town/City:

Many towns and cities offer recycling services, where the town will come and get your recyclables along with your trash service. Call your town or city’s public works department and check their policies. If they offer recycling services, you can request a recycling bin for your home. If your town or city does not have recycling services, that doesn’t mean you can’t recycle! Check with your public works department to locate the nearest recycling center, and begin to sort your recyclables into bins at home. Then, once a week, take the bins to the recycling center. A little bit of extra effort can go a long way.

Follow the Rules:

If your town or city requires that your recyclables be sorted, be sure to follow their rules. Making sure that your recyclables get properly sorted will ensure that none of your hard work goes to waste.

Easily recyclable items include:

• Glass (be sure to clean out food containers first!)
• Plastics (hard and soft plastic products)
• Paper, cardboard, and newsprint
• Aluminum and other household metals
• and much more!

Don’t Stop There:

It’s not just in your home that you can make a difference - choosing sustainably-minded businesses can have an even bigger impact. At The Village Deli, we are committed to sustainability and promise to reflect that throughout all of our locations. Visit us today!