hey buddy...	before you throw that can in the trash...
	Remember that we all inhabit one planet together and until we can send people elsewhere, earth is our one-stop market for resources. It's not hard once you get used to it and no one will make fun of you.

Clean Water

Did you know...?

Under natural environmental circumstances, water is purified in the recycling process. "When water composition has been so modified that it cannot be used for a specific purpose or is less suitable for that use than it was in its natural state, the water is said to be polluted." However, humans aren't the only source of water pollution. The quality of water is affected by natural phenomena such as: decaying leaves, animal waste, and other processes. "What is happening now is that the quantities of wastes discharged by people often exceed the ability of a given body of water to purify itself. in addition, we are introducing pollutants, such as metals or inorganic substances, that cannot be broken down at all by natural mechanisms or that take a very long time to break down." Here are a few suggestions on saving this valuable resource:

• Launder your clothes responsibly...many detergents contain excessive amounts of phosphates. When the sewage system deposits the waste water in bodies of water, the phosphates stimulate the growth of algae and other plants. The end result is a decrease in the oxygen content of the water, fish kills, and, in extreme cases, a river or lake devoid of life. Some states have banned the use of phosphates in detergents.
• If the amount of phosphorus in your detergent is over 2%, switch to a different brand. Some contain no phosphorus at all, while others are as low as 0.5%. Most liquid detergents are phosphate free.
• Buy unbleached, undyed goods such as paper napkins, towels, and coffee filters. Paper mills contribute significantly to river pollution when they use chlorine to bleach paper pulp. The manufacturing process generates dioxin, a highly toxic contaminant, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons. The fewer bleached and dyed products that are manufactured and disposed of, the fewer pollutants will end up in the water supply.
• Dispose of hazardous waste properly...remember that anything you pour on the ground, into a storm sewer, into your sink, or down the toilet will eventually end up in the water supply. Remember too, that many communities dump their raw, untreated sewage directly into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Use as few hazardous products as possible, and when you need to dispose of unused portions, take them to a collection site.

It's not hard to keep our water clean. In the words of Bela Karolyi, "You can DO IT!"

The above was taken from Judith Getis' book, You Can Make a Difference.

recycle yo!

MIXED PAPER

Yes

• cereal-type & dry food boxes
• colored paper
• copy, computer paper
• egg cartons
• envelopes, junk mail
• magazines, glossy inserts
• newspaper
• phone books
• scrap paper
• toilet paper tubes
• wrapping paper
• unwaxed paper cups, plates
• paper, grocery bags

No

• aseptic juice cartons
• blueprint paper
• book bindings
• carbon paper
• carbonless/NCR paper
• fax paper
• frozen food boxes
• milk cartons
• paper towels, tissues
• plastic coated paper
• wax coated paper
• post-it (TM) notes
• photographs

Corrugated Cardboard

Yes

• flat corrugated boxes
• clean pizza boxes

No

• packing materials
• unflattened boxes

Metal Cans

Rinse cans and lids.
Paper labels are okay.

Yes

• aluminum cans
• aluminum foil
• tin and steel cans
• pie plates, cake pans
• tv dinner trays
• metal lids and caps

No

• any other metals
• scrap metals

Plastic

Rinse plastic bottles. Discard plastic lids and caps.
Look for the #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) symbols on the bottom of your plastic containers.

Yes

• #1 all colors and shapes
• #2 hazy, transparent
• milk or water jugs
• juice bottles

No

• colored #2
• #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
• plastic bags, film, or wrap

Glass

Rinse jars and bottles. Paper labels are okay.
Recycle metal lids and caps with other metals.

Yes

• glass bottles
• glass jars
• beer bottles
• wine bottles
• all colors

No

• auto glass
• ceramic mugs/plates
• fluorescent lights, lightbulbs
• mirrors
• plate/window glass
• pyrex dishes
• porcelain

Yard Materials

Put in the street near your curb. Grass should be placed in bags.
Piles should not be larger than 5 feet in any direction. In any case,
Do Not block bike lanes.

Yes

• brush
• grass (in paper or plastic bags)
• Christmas trees
• prunings (up to 8" in diameter)

No

• sod, soil
• flower pots
• fruit
• concrete
• fencing