One of the topics I get the most questions about is batteries. People know (for the most part) not to put them in their curbside trash, but they don’t know where to take them. Batteries in curbside trash can react with chemicals in the carts which can cause the trucks to catch on fire, called…
Unconventional trash bags According to the sustainability site Treehugger, there are 8 Rs. They are: Reduce: Just use less. Return: Producers should take back what they sell. Reuse: Almost boring, but we throw too much stuff out too soon. Repair: Fix and mend things rather than replacing them. Refill: In Ontario Canada, 88% of beer bottles are returned to…
Pets have a lot of stuff! It can be hard to be 100% zero waste with an animal. Here are a few ideas that may help lower the environmental impact of your furry friend(s). Buy in bulk if it’s available. Do ask the store how they fill the bulk bins. The store may be using…
Toys can be recycled! One thing I see a lot of during Austin’s Bulk Collection is unwanted or unusable toys left curbside. I would love to see these toys donated to those who don’t have toys, or if unusable then recycled! Plastic toys without batteries or plugs, know as “Hard Plastics,” can be recycled in…
The Lash Lounge supports Wands for Wildlife I am very excited to announce that one of Mueller’s own businesses, The Lash Lounge, is accepting old mascara wands for recycling in support of the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge’s Wands for Wildlife program at both its Mueller and West Lake Hills locations. Wands for Wildlife takes clean old…
Maybe you’ve been reluctant to downsize your trash cart because you’re not sure you could always get all your trash bags inside. Maybe you like to have big gatherings and sometimes have more bags than normal. Maybe you’re doing a big spring clean out and just have more trash than usual. Do you know about…
Did you know you can pick up free paint from the City of Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center?! Austin ReBlend paint is free for individuals, nonprofits and businesses. Austin ReBlend is a 100 percent post-consumer, reblended flat paint (with low VOCs) made from paint collected at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center. Austin ReBlend paint…
Crafts, Hobbies and Stationary at great low prices! Austin Creative Reuse is a great place in Austin you may not know about! You can donate your old school supplies, office supplies, craft, and hobby materials and anything else you think might be good for creative purposes and they’ll collect them, sort them, and sell them…
Many of the homes in my neighborhood are hitting the 10 year mark. As such, a lot of renovations are going on. The last time I put out a Styrofoam request, I received four big boxes worth of material from two bathroom renovation projects! Another neighbor needed to have her sink replaced and kindly asked…
I’ve received enough questions about pet waste that I feel I should address it. According to multiple sources, about 4% of residential waste is generated by our pets. Pet waste of any kind may not go in the City of Austin green compost carts. The City of Austin’s curbside compost contractor Organics by Gosh will…