plastic

Get snacks from Whole Foods or takeout containers from last weekend's dinner delivery? Those plastic food containers are handy to store food & other household goods. As tempting as it is for a quick reheat, put the plastic down! Don't subject plastic food containers to (find out more, after the jump!)

Philadelphians often get confused with food containers. Did you know the majority of food-container plastics can be recycled? Yogurt containers, plastic containers & juice bottles can ALL go in your single-stream recycle bin.  Just make sure to rinse & remove the food remnants (I use leftover dishwater or stick in happily with a pan trying to soak..) Keep on recycling!

Ever wonder what you can recycle next? As we've mentioned before, "going green" is rarely an overnight process.  Feel stuck in your progress?  (Find out more, after the jump!)

Good news for Philadelphia! You no longer have to worry about asking me what you can & can't recycle checking those pesky numbers on your plastics containers - they're ALL recyclable (which just started August 1st). Here's what you can recycle:

Don't worry, I'm not talking about this weekend. Reduce your soda, juice and other bottled drink intake. While the bottled water industry hurts the earth, soft beverage and juice bottles also end up in landfills. If you're addicted to a Nestea or Cherry Coke, use it as a reward or special occasions - You'll also save empty calories that sneak up on you!

Do you cart snacks like peanuts, pretzels and crackers in zip-lock bags for lunches or on-the-go?  Wash and reuse your baggies – You’ll save money and plastic! Posted by Beth

Like my co-blogger Enviro-Beth, I too have a pet peeve. Mine is plastic. I'll admit it - When the canvas bag started making an appearance, I didn't really 'get' it. (I wasn't always green - before, I could only recycle the newspapers. As a kid, I tried sneaking in my old homework into the newspaper bin until my Dad broke the news that the township wouldn't take them. It hurt my feelings to put those in the trash.) So why are reusable bags important?

Check your local recycling program for what number plastics it recycles. (Plastic products are numbered 1-7.  Philly accepts all of them (updated 12/10).) When out to buy your next shampoo bottle or dish-soap, choose products you can toss in the recycle bin instead of the trash...