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…
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…
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…
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…
If you read any zero waste blog, one of the items that inevitably comes up is razors. The blogs recommend you get laser hair removal, waxed, or use a straight or safety razor. All these actions cut down on the disposable razors and replaceable heads, and the plastic used in “disposables.” My leg hair is…
Austin Resource Recovery confirmed lotion tubes CAN be recycled, in addition to lotion bottles, in the City of Austin blue recycling carts. Please try to make sure all or as much as possible of the product is squeezed out. There are metal springs in the pump, so please trash that part of the lotion bottle.…
Eyeglasses and Contact Lens Recycling Eyeglasses A super common but often overlooked item that can be reused/recycled are eyeglasses. Everyone has old eyeglasses laying around, some of you may even have old childhood pairs or pairs from before your surgery. There are several places to take eyeglasses so they can be reused and provided to…
Maine just passed the U.S.’ first state ban on foam food packaging Foam to-go containers, egg cartons, and meat trays are recyclable! At least they are in Austin and New Braunfels! Round Rock will accept egg cartons. To-Go containers can recycled at the Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center and the New Braunfels’ City Recycle…
There is research showing that not eating meat can be “greener” for the Earth. I respect that argument but I am not addressing that here. If you need to and/or want to eat meat as a source of protein, I want to make sure you are doing what you can to effectively dispose of the…