TerraCycle® is a social enterprise Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. In 20 countries, we tackle the issue from many angles. We have found that nearly everything we touch can be recycled and collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms. https://www.terracycle.com/en-US Austin is fortunate to have the capability to recycle all that we do. We…
By far the most popular question I get right now is for help with plastic bags and films. There are many types and people are overwhelmed. It is confusing, there are lots of types, and the directions change a bit to try and correct contamination levels. I’m going to share with you all what I…
Here is the information shared about where, when and how to recycle Christmas trees and Christmas lights in Central Texas this holiday season. The City of Austin’s website for Christmas Tree Recycling is http://www.austintexas.gov/department/christmas-tree-recycling. Details below are from Austin EcoNetwork’s EcoNews 12/19/19 and Austin Resource Recovery’s site: Christmas Trees: If you’re an Austin Resource Recovery…
Bulk Collection will happen in my neighborhood next week. Information on what can and cannot be accepted is available at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/residential-bulk-collection. Sign up for collection reminders, including Bulk and Brush, at http://www.austintexas.gov/page/my-collection-schedule. You can add your schedule to Google, iCal or Outlook, or you can print it. You can also sign up for text (and…
A new but recently frequent topic I’ve been asked about is if plastic berry, salad/greens and sushi boxes can be recycled in the blue single stream carts. Yes they can! You do not have to remove the stickers, just rinse, dry and throw them in the recycling cart. Reminders: Pull the berry juice pads/the white…
In case you didn’t know, the entire spray bottle should not be put as-is in the recycling carts. The bottle bottom is okay to drop in the recycling cart. The entire lid/spray mechanism is best tossed in the trash. There is a metal spring in the pump mechanism enabling it to actually spray. If you…
I love seasonal beverages! They’re my favorite treat! I love to try the holiday flavors that come out at this time of year. Unfortunately I’ve discovered that Trader Joe’s, my husband’s favorite place to treat me, is not earth friendly with their seasonal beverage selections. I dislike calling out a specific company, but there were…
Free secure document paper shredding Austin ARMA will host the fall shred day Saturday November 16, 2019 at Balcones Shred. Be careful to read the map(s) provided by Austin ARMA. The address posted is not always the exact entrance you will use for drive through. Secure document shredding may be available on site but please…
*This post has been updated December 2019 to provide additional information on how to contact Amazon and alternative methods of accessing a pickup site. There’s been some confusion with the Amazon mailers so I’m going to clarify how to handle each one. This is Amazon’s first mailer. It’s a yellow paper envelope lined in clear…
The question of what to do with egg cartons comes up a lot so I wanted to address it here. Paper egg cartons without egg goo are “best and highest use” in recycling carts. “Best and highest use” will give the carton several future lives as additional paper products until the paper fibers become so…