This Japanese town will produce absolutely zero waste by 2020

The small Japanese town of Kamikatsu has a mission to become the country’s first zero waste city by 2020, and they are already well on their way. Residents meticulously separate their recyclables into 34 different bins, which makes me feel guilty for complaining about the 3 bins at my own city’s collection site. So far, only 20 percent of the city’s trash makes it to landfills while the other 80 percent is responsibly recycled – a far cry from the old tradition of burning their refuse. Read the rest of This Japanese town will produce absolutely zero waste by 2020

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This Japanese town will produce absolutely zero waste by 2020

As Cities Lose Money, Is Recycling Still Worth It?

When news spread earlier this year that more than 2,000 cities and towns across the country are paying to dispose of their recyclables — rather than being paid for their recyclables — it got people wondering whether recycling makes financial sense….

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As Cities Lose Money, Is Recycling Still Worth It?

Save Time: Recycle While You Shop

While you’re holiday shopping, kill two birds with one stone by bringing your recyclables along and making the most of retail-based recycling solutions.

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Save Time: Recycle While You Shop

The US is Banned From Exporting Garbage to China Through the ‘Green Fence Initiative’

Photo via Shutterstock The US has a big trash problem. How big is it? So big that the country has to export rubbish to other nations in order to control the incredible volume of stuff tossed away each year. Now, the conundrum of what to do with recyclable material is about to become more difficult. China’s “Green Fence Initiative,” which was launched in February of this year, bans bales of plastic that have not been properly washed or sorted. Since this type of plastic tends to be harder to recycle, it ends up in China’s landfills and fuels social unrest in the south of the country. According to Quartz , 68,000 tons of material have been rejected in the first five months of its implementation. Read the rest of The US is Banned From Exporting Garbage to China Through the ‘Green Fence Initiative’ Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: California , china , clamshell containers , florida , gfi , green fence initiative , isri convention , landfills , Oregon , plastic bags , plastics , political unrest , quartz , recyclables , scrap materials , trash , trash ban , trash heaps , trash imports , trash mountains , trash sorting , united states , wang jiwei , washington        

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The US is Banned From Exporting Garbage to China Through the ‘Green Fence Initiative’

Rammed-Earth Quartz Mountain Residence Captures Beauty of Arizona Desert

Read the rest of Rammed-Earth Quartz Mountain Residence Captures Beauty of Arizona Desert Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Arizona , desert , Kendle Design Collaborative , landscape , modern , natural light , Paradise Valley , passive solar , Quartz Mountain Residence , rammed earth , Sustainable        

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Rammed-Earth Quartz Mountain Residence Captures Beauty of Arizona Desert

Less Waste, More Taste: 10 Mason Jar Recipes

Whether you’re preparing lunches for the week or planning an afternoon picnic, these 10 make-ahead recipes will put your recyclables to work saving you time and money.

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Less Waste, More Taste: 10 Mason Jar Recipes

1.9 Million Worms Chomp Down Airport Waste in North Carolina

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina has deployed 1.9 million worms to turn a boatload of organic waste into fertilizer . Every day the airport housekeeping department headed by Bob Lucas processes 2.5 tons of waste, including plastic, clothing, aluminum and food tossed out by rushed passengers, NPR reports. The recyclables are pulled out from the pile and sold and the organic waste is transferred to a giant composting bin where the army of red wigglers go to work. Read the rest of 1.9 Million Worms Chomp Down Airport Waste in North Carolina Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Charlotte Douglas International Airport , composting , divert waste from the landfill , Environment , fertilizer , food waste , News , north carolina , recyclables , recycling , Recycling initiatives , red wigglers , usa

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1.9 Million Worms Chomp Down Airport Waste in North Carolina

double your (recyclable) treasure.

My challenge to my family has been to have double the amount of recyclables than regular trash.  I know that may not sound like a huge deal, but it is making a big difference.  I have always been trash-sorting minded.  I have always had a recycling bin accompanying my regular trash can on our curb.  But, there is always the escapee item of waste that finds its way into the regular trash when by all means it should be in the recyclables.  So, my new job is Trash Police!  I can’t believe how full my recyclables are each week!  As with anything, the minute we start to utilize our brain cells to start observing our habits, we catch ourselves finding other things we can improve.  For example,  do you really need a drink carrier from the drive-thru?  Really, really, do you need it?  Yes, it may be made of recyclable products but will you take it home to put in your recycle bin or will it be put in a trash can at your next errand stop?  But, if you do take it home and put it in your recyclabes, you just may reach your goal of double recyclables!!  Happy Recycling, everyone!   Thanks to Susan Miller for submitting this tip and photo to our Top-To-Toe Tip Contest !

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double your (recyclable) treasure.