Home and Earth

Where We Live and Grow

A Tips and Information Site For Making Our Home and Earth A Better Place To Live

Auto

Fluids

Motor oil can be recycled or re-refined and used again. Brake fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze and other auto fluids contain toxic chemicals and should not be put in the trash or washed down the drain. They should be recycled as hazardous waste.

Tires

Unfortunately there are many used tires in our communities that aren't being recycled. They are being dumped alongside of roads and hidden from view. They hold water which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that may carry diseases. Some used tire dump sites are full and are possible fire hazards. Burning tires can pollute the air, soil, ground water, rivers, streams and lakes.

Tires contain oil, reclaiming oil from recycled and discarded tires could solve the problem of used tires being an eyesore and a pollutant.

Uses for Reclaimed Used Tires

• Burned as a fuel.
• Ground up and mixed with asphalt for roads and running tracks.
• Retread tires.
• Rubber mates.
• Roofing materials.
• Truck bed liners.
• Shredded recycled tires are used as a cushioning material similar to mulch in playgrounds.

Not Recommended Use for Used Tires.

• Planters for vegetables and fruits. Possibility of toxins leaching into the soil and into the plants.
• Raised bed gardens.

Use your tires as long as possible and recycle them when you buy new ones. Have your tires replaced and recycled by a reputable facility. Most states have some type of regulations or laws concerning the handling of scrap tires.

Electronics

Computers

When recycling a computer, be sure to completely erase all data on the hard drive first. If that can't be done, take the drive case out of the computer and break it into pieces.

Energy

Reduce

Recycling reduces energy usage.

Methane

Energy can be obtained from a landfill in the form of methane. Methane is generated by the fermentation of organic matter.

Environment

Cleaning Land

In the past, factories, industrial plants, and military bases have shut down or moved, leaving behind vacant properties commonly called brownfields. The abandoned land often is contaminated with chemicals and biological pathogens, making it unsafe and unusable for communities.

The land can be recycled and reclaimed, converting the hazardous land into clean, safe, usable land.

Clean-up is done by scientists in four steps: they determine the site's damage, prevent further contamination, clean up the hazardous materials, and plan how to re-use the land.

Biosolids are often used in the recycling and re-vegetation of brownfields. Biosolids are nutrient-rich, organic materials that come from the treatment of domestic sewage at a water treatment facility.

Recycling paper saves trees. Those saved trees clean the air of excess carbon dioxide produced by burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Conserve and Keep Water Clean

Conserving water is a good idea when cleaning items to be recycled. But its just as important not to pollute the water we use. Every day harmful chemicals and high concentrations of organic and non organic fertilizers are released into the ground, rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes and oceans. Eventually they will end up in our drinking water. We can lessen the effects of polluted ground and water by recycling unused chemicals and using biodegradable nontoxic products. Fertilizing with organic fertilizers only when needed and using just enough for healthy and productive growth of plants will help to keep a good balance of clean soil and water.

Garden and Kitchen

Biodegradable and Composting

Food and garden waste are biodegradable wastes best recycled by aerobic composting and vermicomposting.

Local Recycling

Support Local Recycling

Support local recycling efforts and purchase products compatible with your neighborhood recycling program. Once you make a plan and start recycling, its easy to continue making our earth clean.

Money - Payback

Clean recyclable material before recycling. You may get more money for them.

Cans

Use a can crusher to reduce the size of your recycled cans. Quality can crushers are usually made of metal and last longer.

Metal scrap

Remove plastic, glass, other metals and any other materials from recyclable scrap metal.

Products

Buy Recycled Products

Buy products made from recycled materials (post-consumer materials or waste) when possible.

Choose paper rather than plastic bags at the grocery store.

Organic Products

Buy organically made products. They can be composted or If put into a landfill, will decompose quickly and not harm the environment.