The Blue Container

What is with this other garbage can?

Most people have the blue recycling container in their garage but do not use it due to some confusion. When you walk out to your garbage cans do you ask yourself, "Is this recyclable?" I know I did. I went to slc.gov to get some answers.

What can be recycled:

• Newspaper and newspaper inserts
• Corrugated cardboard (Has a wavy layer between 2 thinner layers)
• Brown paper bags
• Paperboard from cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, and toilet paper tubes, shoe boxes, detergent, etc.
• Magazines and phone books
• Aluminum cans
• Steel (tin) food cans
• All plastics (All plastics with the numbers 1-7 on the recycling symbol can go in)
• Plastic-coated milk and juice cartons
• Paper (Goodbye Junk Mail)

When recycling any of these items make sure you empty out any food or beverage containers.

Items not accepted for recycling:

• Glass
• Clothing
• Napkins, paper towels, toilet paper
• Hazardous waste
• Yard Waste
• Small appliances
• Food and Food Wrappings

This is a simple program and more than likely you already have the container, it's time to start using it.

What was on that list again?

I know you don't want to go to the computer every time you go to throw something away to make sure its ok.

Here is a tip: Have 2 separate garbage containers in your kitchen one is for trash one is for recyclables (ours is under the sink out of the way so trash doesn't end up in it. Put a big clear label of items you can put in the recyclable container to remind yourself and educate family members on how to use this system. Before long you will know what goes where and it will become second nature. Try making a game out of it to get the kids involved.

Other recycling programs available:

Yard waste recycling can

• Weeds
• Tree branches
• Leaves
• Lawn clippings

This program is 3.50 / month and is provided by Salt Lake county to get more info call (801) 974-6902

Household hazardous waste program

• Paints
• Pesticides
• Oil
• Transmission fluid
• Antifreeze
• Batteries
• Fluorescent light tubes
• Other chemicals

This is a free program with permanent drop off sites:

Salt Lake valley Solid Waste Management Facility
6030 West California Avenue (1400 South)
Monday - Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Trans-Jordan Landvfill Facility
10873 S 7200 W Hwy U-111, South Jordan
Monday - Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Murray
(Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil and Paint Only)
4646 South 500 West
Monday - Friday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM


Boost your credit while saving trees?

There is one very simple step that everyone can take to give their credit a little boost and stop all that junk mail. You may call 1-888-567-8688 to stop receiving "prescreened" offers of credit. This number notifies all 3 credit reporting agencies that you do not want to receive financing offers in the mail. This typically has a positive boost on your credit score, cleans out your mail box, and saves paper. You can still go online or call companies directly if you want credit cards. You may also do this online by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com.

Are you smarter than a ______?

There it is I have just given us all an elementary school refresher on how to recycle. Most of us now posses the same recycling knowledge as our children. Lets do our best to follow through on these programs and come up with new and innovative ways to keep on making things better for ourselves and the world around us.


-Dave