Recycle

Reader Heidi asked on our Facebook Wall where she can recycle light bulbs. Good question! But first, we need to determine what type of light bulb you have. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are better for the environment and you should be using them anyway. Since Heidi's an active GPB reader, we'll assume she uses them for now. According to the EPA, On average, CFLs

Brushing my teeth is one of my favorite activities. I beam when my dental hygienist comments on my teeth condition. Yet I use a lot of toothpaste, and those empty toothpaste tubes are a gray area on the green front. Can you recycle them? Can you not? Don't fear my readers... I did some investigating to figure out what we can do with our toothpaste-less tubes:

Since we have a debate going on in our "Broad Street Run More Sustainable..." comments AND on our Facebook page, I decided to investigate what people can do with their old race medals. Many runners & triathletes (etc) accumulate medals and don’t know what to do with them. Here’s some alternatives to throwing them in the trash (always a big no-no):

We’ve gone over where to recycle laptop batteries and battery chargers, but where can one recycle plain old (& rechargeable) batteries in Philadelphia? Where to Recycle Single-Use Batteries in Philadelphia For recycling the conventional (single-use) battery variety. Eforce Compliance (3114 Grays Ferry...

When I stop home at my parents house, I try to give them some hints of what they're not recycling (and should) as the self-appointed 'recycle police'.  But then I see it... No paper, but a lonely tube, surrounded by tissues. Good news: Paper tubes from paper towels, TP, tape, etc., can go into your Single Stream Recycling! No extra effort. Recycle on!  (And try to use dishtowels instead of paper...) ;-)

Reader Ryan asks: Where can we recycle computer laptop batteries? Answer: Good news for you, Ryan!  You can recycle laptop batteries in a few places:

Philadelphia residents can get involved in the recycling awards and have over 30 opportunities to win - with a grand prize of free groceries for a year! RecycleBank is sponsoring a Sweepstakes running from Sunday April 1st (aka it’s live now) until Saturday, June 30, 2012 to win by recycling.  Prizes include:

Oh no! Did you forget to bring a reusable container to your favorite restaurant and need to get a to-go container? Good news for you - plastic cups, plates & to-go containers can all go into your single-stream recycling bin. However, food-stained boxes, stryofoam (ugh) and pizza boxes must go in the garbage.  (I personally cut the grease-stained pizza portion off to recycle the untainted part).  **Update: Philadelphia residents can take Foam (or styrofoam) containers #6 to the Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center at State & Ashburner Streets, but can NOT go in Single-Stream recycling.   Try to avoid

I have a problem.  My headphones break. A lot.  But, I use them everyday: at work, running, the gym, on mass transit… etc.  They get their fair share of use. Headphones (especially broken ones) are tricky to recycle since not many companies take them.  You can