Are there any websites that tell people exactly what is recyclable? Recycling expert Gerry Acuna names his favorite websites for recycling information. "The National Recycling Coalition is a great one; they...
"The National Recycling Coalition is a great one; they have links to everything," says Gerry Acuna, the president of Tri Recycling Inc., who has been involved in recycling for 12 years.
"If you ever need recycling information they would be people to talk to."
"If you ever need recycling information they would be people to talk to."
The website can be found at www.nrc-recycle.org, and includes a wealth of facts, suggestions and news about current recycling programs and initiatives.
By working with government and corporate leaders to promote recycling, this nonprofit group has over 3,000 members dedicated to the cause.
Each area of the website sheds light on different aspects of recycling, including some specific pages dedicated to the types of items that are recyclable.
On the Electronics Recycling Initiative page, you can view a database of recyclers, learn about international and industry initiatives and participate in an online forum hosted by recycling experts.
The site mentions, "The goal of the NRC's Electronics Recycling Initiative is to promote the recovery, reuse and recycling of obsolete electronic equipment, and to encourage the design, manufacture and purchase of environmentally responsible electronic equipment."
The Source Reduction Forum section spotlights waste prevention and conservation tips for governments, businesses and individual consumers.
"The Forum's mission is to conserve resources and reduce waste by encouraging the efficient use of materials, developing and promoting source reduction and reuse strategies and integrating these strategies with recycling," reads the statement on the page.
In addition to these fact-filled areas, the site also provides links to dozens of recycling affiliates across the United States.
Acuna adds, "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has a great website and has numerous links concerning recycling and garbage issues."
This site can be found by visiting www.epa.gov.
The Environmental Protection Agency's mission is to "protect human health and the environment," says the site.
Their many functions include creating and enforcing environmental regulations, offering grants for related research, conducting their own research, sponsoring volunteer programs, and publishing educational findings.
On the user-friendly site, you'll find an alphabetical list of the topics the Environmental Protection Agency covers, with helpful links to information about each one.
There's even a specific home page for children, designed for young readers, offering tips and ideas about recycling and conservation. And, a tools page for teachers, which outlines environmental education resources they can utilize in the classroom.
Acuna trusts the information provided on the websites of the National Recycling Coalition and the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Those two are the best in my opinion. [However,] If you need information on the local level, contact your city, they are the ones who can guide you to the nearest drop off center and [explain] the methods used for curbside recycling and where you can get containers."
If you live in a city or town that doesn't have a specific recycling program implemented, use the state links available in the sites mentioned above or defer to your local Yellow Pages for organizations that may promote recycling in your area.
