RECYCLING INFORMATION
Taking care of our resources
Reduce
View our brochure on Waste Prevention, Waste Reduction, and Buying Recycled
Reuse
Collect rainwater or gray water (clean water from washing fruits and veggies) and use for watering indoor and outdoor plants. Learn more at WateReuse.
Water Recycling
Water recycling is reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a ground water basin (referred to as ground water recharge). When old items (recyclables) are made into new items, some of these items take water, but not nearly the volume of water used when making items out of new (virgin) materials.
Other Ways to Reuse
- Reuse items such as coffee mugs instead of disposable foam cups.
- Bring/purchase items to/from the thrift stores in your area rather than purchasing new items.
Recycling
America Recycles Day
Help Us Make Recycling Work in America
More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day, November 15th of each year, dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States. It’s one day to inform and educate; one day to get our neighbors, friends, and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when we all work together; one day to make recycling bigger and better—365 days a year. Let’s make recycling work in our communities.
Get Involved
You can organize an event (recycling challenge, recycling collection, etc.), attend an event, spread the word (by e-mailing friends and family about ARD), and take the “I Recycle” pledge or challenge all at the ARD site. Get free items (pencils, buttons, posters, etc.) while supplies last when you register an event. If you are planning a recycling event for America Recycles Day, contact the NDDEQ Solid Waste Program at (701) 328-5166.
Compost
When compost is used on your lawn and plants, it will help retain moisture and reduce the need for excess water. By composting grass, leaves, and other organic materials you will help save space in local landfills. Yard waste typically makes up one-third of our waste stream.
When you have the right combination of organics, the microorganisms put forth the effort to reduce the pile rather than you expending your energy.
Other Information on Compost
- Check out the “how-to” on composting with the “Cheat Sheet for Composting” page and the “I Didn’t Know That Was Compostable!” page by Earth911 writers.
- The ND Department of Environmental Quality has several brochures regarding composting, grass, and wood chip uses, etc. Check the section under Solid Waste Program and Composting.
Buy Recycled
Containers
Aluminum/Steel Cans
Aluminum cans are nearly infinitely recyclable. Did you know it takes less than 60 days from the time you purchase a can of pop, consume it, and recycle it, and it is re-manufactured and shows up on the store shelf to be purchased again? Due to the intensive mining of our natural resources, aluminum cans are the most recycled item from households. That is why recycling centers or scrap metal facilities sometimes offer money for your used beverage containers (UBC). The average aluminum can contains 40% post consumer recycled aluminum (U.S. EPA). Steel/tin cans are recycled separate from aluminum cans. Steel is also almost infinitely recyclable.
Plastic Bottles
#1 plastic bottles are often made into carpeting, clothing, and filling for sleeping bags. #2 plastic bottles are often made into composite decking, park benches, picnic tables, and more.
Glass Bottles/Jars
In North Dakota, clean glass can be made into a “glassblasting” material, aggregate for road projects or as landscaping rocks. Glass is almost infinitely recyclable, however, weight, distance to markets, contamination, and high transportation costs are some factors that effect glass recycling. Glass Advantage in West Fargo, ND produces a glass media, abrasives, and tumbled rock for landscaping. Wine bottles can often be reused by those to conduct home brewing. If glass recycling is not available in your area, you could consider switching products to those that are packaged in plastic or aluminum containers that would be more recyclable.
Paper Products
Corrugated Cardboard
Corrugated boxes are typically made into new boxes or paperboard (cereal/tissue boxes).
Newspapers
Newspapers are most often made back into more newspapers, but they can also be made into insulation and egg cartons. Locally, Pactiv Corporation in Moorhead, MN makes egg cartons from our local used newspapers. You can “close the loop” buy purchasing eggs made from paper instead of foam.
Magazines
Magazines are often made into tissue (toilet) paper.
Office Paper and Mixed Paper
These types of paper are often made into gypsum wallboard, chipboard, and other products.