4 Ways to Recycle Plastic at Home

A few people don't know this, but there is an island of trash approximately 534,000 square miles in size, (which is roughly twice the size of Texas)  floating in the North Pacific Gyre, which is basically the northern center of the Pacific Ocean. It is commonly referred to as, "Great Pacific Garbage Patch", or the "Pacific Trash Vortex".  In some areas, suspended trash reaches depths of 90 ft. It is estimated that 80 - 90% of the trash there is made of plastic, weighing approximately 3.5 million tons.

- Capt Charles Moore

Oceanic life often dies out, leaving only trash for birds, and other animals to eat. Many birds have been found completely filled with garbage. I'm not going to post any of the other pictures here, because much of what I've come across is so sad, that I don't even want to see it again. One of the most shocking, and disturbing photos that can be found, is one of a large sea turtle, that has lived it's entire life in a red plastic ring. The suffering that is dispensed upon the world is unfathomable. So I decided that I should write something about plastics. Here is :

4 Ways to Recycle Plastic at Home

4) Put it in that blue bin on the curb you lazy bastard. A lot of people pay for recycling, and don't even use it. I've actually seen recycling trucks sitting on the side of the road reading because there were no recycling bins for them to pick up. A lot of cities include recycling, and people who don't pay attention fail to recycle. This is especially true in economically disadvantaged areas. If you live in a complex, make sure that you can obtain bins. A little work from a lot of people could greatly impact our future. Think of your children, your grandchildren, and the world we are leaving them.

3)  Make art out of it... Handmade crafts can be quite relaxing, and are fun for people of all ages.
Plastic bottles can be made into a variety of things, including terrariums, sand art containers, and all sorts of things. There are plenty of websites like THIS ONE, that explain how projects can be made. Just think of all of the sexy time you can have with your significant other while the kids are helping save the environment! Give Johnny, and Suzie a plastic bottle, and tell them to make a planter. Don't give kids sharp objects and leave them unattended, or you will end up explaining that the game "Operation" does not qualify them to be doctors.

2) Plastic bags from stores are great for bathroom trash that you want to separate from the rest of the trash. If you have something nasty, you can tie it up in a plastic bag to keep from emitting vomit inducing smells into your home, and ultimately gross out anyone who happens to just "drop by" because they were "in the neighborhood". You can use them to keep odd shaped items partitioned in closets, and prevent a rain of unused items. In homes where space is precious, this could prevent a lot of accidental waste from spills, and other random acts of lameness. Make sure little Tommy keeps the bags away from his face.

1) The best way to recycle at home is simply to reuse everything that you possibly can. Plastic bottles can hold water just as well as when you bought them and can be used a large number of times. when they become too worn, you can fill them with water, freeze them and use them to keep food fresh. Don't reuse plastics that are coded with number 3 or more. They are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which often contains toxins as it degrades. To stay on the safe side, don't allow recycled number 3 plastics to come in contact with food.

Well, I'm glad that's over. I plan on making my next blog on the 14th a lot more fun.