OK - I admit it. I'm grasping for straws on this one.
It seems rather small and petty - remove the plastic liner from the inside of window envelopes, before putting the envelopes in the recycle bin. This change, however, prevents A LOT of paper from going into the landfill. (Yes, I know, I am still getting paper mail.....)
Like many people, I'm sure, I assumed that all paper put in the recycle bin was, well, recycled. Apparently, that is not true. I spoke with someone at our local garbage collection place, and ANY paper with plastic on it is relegated to the garbage and NOT recycled. Huh. So much for being "environmentally-friendly".
It's weird, because I always remove the plastic windows from pasta boxes, etc., but it never occurred to me to do the same with window envelopes. It even states on the city website that NO plastic is allowed in the paper recycling. I guess I just assumed that whatever process was used to break down the paper automatically got rid of the plastic.
I'll take a few minutes to open my envelopes, remove the liner and recycle. Another small change that will help counter the growing landfill outside my door.
I know what you mean! I do this now, too. It's a small thing, but every bit counts. And it's all part of being conscious of all the things we do, all the waste we generate, etc.!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it too.
ReplyDeleteIts an extra step but after a while it will become second nature.
hey Eco mama check this out if you all ready haven't:
http://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/965325--a-6-year-old-solved-a-problem-i-couldn-t
keep up the good work.
Ph
I remove the plastic, but this is one of my pet peeves. why don't they just leave an open window in the envelope???
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments. I keep looking for small things to change - I'm not sure I have the energy to tackle the big ones. :)
ReplyDelete