Want to Recycle?  Check out these awesome local programs!September 29, 2011

Filed under: Natural Living - greenacres @ 1:02 PM

Are you looking to lower your carbon footprint?  There’s no easier way than to follow the old adage most of us learned in elementary school: reduce, reuse, recycle.  The first two steps are fairly simple and straightforward: as an example, you can reduce your consumption of plastic shopping bags by bringing reusable bags with you; but when you do have to use plastic bags, reuse them as trash can liners, etc.  Pretty easy.  But what about recycling?  Recycling presents a great way to get rid of your excess responsibly: rather than throwing those old batteries in the trash to go into the landfill, recycle them at a battery store or recycling center.  But sometimes it’s hard to know what your recycling options are, what should and can be recycled, and how to find someone who will take your recyclable goods. 

What does GreenAcres do to make a difference?  I’m so glad you asked!  We send all of our compostable material to Missouri Organics (http://www.missouriorganic.com/).  After they collect it it becomes rich soil that can be resold and reused for all kind of gardening and landscaping projects.  For all of our recyclable material, we use the Deffenbaugh Industries (http://www.deffenbaughindustries.com/).  They collect the recycling from the store in one easy mixed-material container…and they also have residential programs available!

Check out some of the other options below for different places in Kansas City that can help you recycle:

Kansas City Recycles:

This is by far the simplest and easiest program to start as long as you live within the Kansas City Metro Area.  Just pick up your bin from a Price Chopper, or from Westlake Ace Hardware stores; blue bins cost $9 each.  Your recycling gets picked up each week (if you’re living in a single family home) along with your regular trash.  They take most of the normal recyclables (office paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum and tin cans, etc.) with the exception of glass.  For more info, visit their website here.

Kansas City Household Hazardous Waste:

If you have something that you’re not sure should be thrown into the landfill, chances are it probably shouldn’t.  The Hazardous Waste Facility can safely dispose of chemicals and other pollutants like paint, fluorescent light bulbs, medications, computers, antifreeze, and more.  They also have a schedule or mobile drop-off locations for everyday household chemicals.  For more answers to your hazardous waste questions and a number to call for inquiries about mobile locations, visit their website.

Ripple Glass:

This is a great program focusing on recycling Kansas City’s glass products.  They have many convenient locations and new tubs to collect your recyclable glass products.  It is all community-based, and the glass they recycle is made into goods like more glass bottles, fiberglass insulation, and other glass goods.  Find out more here.

Looking for more?  Local non-profit Bridging the Gap provides great resources to find recycling programs as well as green initiatives near you!