Recyclers Handbook

I read through this book as a child and it impacted me greatly. Ever since then, I've looked for simple ways to change my habits and routines so as to impact the environment less.

This book is concise guide to many aspects of recycling. It begins with examining the basic questions of what is recycling and why should we recycle. The introductory section also includes some ideas about sorting and storing items for recycling. The main part of the text elaborates on different materials that can be recycled, proceeding generally from the most valuable and most recyclable to the least recyclable (i.e. from metals, to glass, to paper, plastics and hazardous waste). The final section of the book presents ideas about how to organize recycling programs for such organizations as businesses, schools, or large apartment blocks. At the end of the book come listings of recycling organizations and an index.I already recycle most of my solid waste. Indeed, with constant efforts at avoiding packaging and recycling what little packaging I have to buy, it takes my 2-person household almost 2 months to fill a small trash bag with stuff to go to the landfill. But still, I'd like to reduce our waste even more, and that's why I picked up this book. What I found most useful and interesting in the book were the descriptions of how each material can be recycled, and explanations about what can consequently go in the recycling bin and what can't. I learned that office paper is highly desired for recycling, (and not to worry about staples, since they settle out from the sludge at the recycling plant), but magazines are rather yucky because their paper is coated with clay. And not all glass is the same- -bottle glass is good for recycling, but window panes are not because they contain boron. Window panes can still be recycled if you can find a buyer, but not with the bottles, since they are of a much lower grade. This book is filled with details such as these that will help you deepen your understanding of what happens to the stuff you send away, whether you trash it or recycle it.

I first saw this book in a magazine rack at a doctor's office, and thought "Great idea!" -- that is, putting such a simple to read, entertaining and extremely helpful guide where it is most likely to actually be read, cover-to-cover (hey, show me a doctor who actually sees you on time, and I'll show you Santa Claus) In an entertaining, simple-to-read fashion, the book tells you what is and isn't recyclable and why. It also outlines simple steps you can take to reduce waste, including pre-cycling (avoid generating waste to begin with), reusing and of course, recycling. The book includes a complete list of National and State recycling agencies & organizations as well as a list of recycling publications. As extra incentive, the book also offers some startling statistics about how much waste we create, not the least of which is the eye-popping reality that "Americans thrown away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet." Ouch. No office lobby or home coffee table should be without this book.