Community Recycling Quiz

Print this page and circle the items that can be composted or recycled in your town's recycling program. Sort the items into the appropriate bins below.

The Three Rs of Recycling

1.) REDUCE:

When you reduce the amount of garbage you throw away, you are helping the environment. Less garbage means less waste that will have to be disposed of at a landfill or incineration site. And that means less pollution in the air that you and your family breathe.

Here's how you can help reduce during your next shopping trip:

Look for products that use only enough packaging to ensure quality. Those that have many layers of plastic, foil or other wrappings are a waste of resources. But remember...some type of packaging is necessary to keep products clean, fresh and safe for use.

Buy the largest size package whenever you are able. Why? Because you usually get more for your money. By doing this, you will get more of the product and less of the packaging which saves you money in the end.

Buy concentrated forms of beverages, soaps, household cleaners and fabric softeners whenever you can. By adding water yourself, you can save money and reuse containers.

2.) REUSE:

Using products or packages more than once is a great way to reduce the flow of garbage.

Here are a few tips for you to follow:

Search for products that are designed to be used many times. Why not use fabric grocery bags, ceramic mugs and rechargeable batteries?

Save boxes, bags, tins, jars, and plastic containers. You can usually find innovative ways to reuse these items in your home, garage or office.

Give away any unwanted clothing you may have. Instead of throwing worn clothing away, give it to a relative, a friend or a charity.

3.) RECYCLE:

Recycling is the collection and re-processing of materials into new, usable products. Right now paper, glass, steel, aluminum and plastic are the most recycled items in the United States.

Most communities choose to have residents' recyclables picked up at curbside by their town's sanitation department. Others have instituted voluntary drop-off programs which require residents to take recyclables to a designated recycling center in or near their town.

Either way, the various used materials wind up at a recycling center. At the center, these materials are separated and made available to manufacturers who clean them and make new products out of them.

To further support recycling, all you need to do is purchase products made from your recyclables. By taking all three steps - REDUCING, REUSING & RECYCLING - you will be Closing the Recycling Loop!