Recycling: A Greener City, a Greener Planet

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, distinctive green bins line the streets of Bellaire, full to the brim with boxes and bottles and more. Once emptied, these bins find their way back into their homes until the next week, when they’ll participate in their starring role once again. Two of these bins belong to Lauren Roth, an incoming senior at St. Agnes Academy. This is part of her family’s weekly routine. They spend the week collecting an array of recyclable materials and placing them on the curb on pickup day.

These green bins are given to all Bellaire residents when they move in and can be picked up from City Hall. The first bin is free, but additional ones can be purchased for $10 each. If your green bin is sitting in your garage somewhere collecting dust and has yet to see the light of day, it’s time to start making use of it.

Cassidy Peavey wears the tin robot costume at the Bellaire Pumpkin Patch, where the Bellaire Environmental and Sustainability Board participates to provide education to attendees about conservation and recycling. Cassidy is an incoming junior at Bellaire High School. See the City of Bellaire’s website for information on community events.

George Williams, M.D., a member of the Bellaire Environmental and Sustainability Board, says that the easiest way to implement recycling into your daily routine is to create a system for disposal that includes both a place for trash and a place for recycling. This approach mirrors the system Roth has set up in her home.

Lauren says, “I keep a trash can and a recycling can in my room, with the recycling can closer so I am not tempted to throw (recyclable) items away.” Another option is to place a small bag for recyclables somewhere in your kitchen, reminding you of the option and increasing the likelihood that you’ll remember to recycle.

There are several things you should keep in mind when recycling. Rinse any containers that have food on them before placing them in the bin. Take note of certain items that shouldn’t be recycled. Williams says three items that are commonly recycled but shouldn’t be are pizza boxes, plastic grocery bags and fluorescent lightbulbs. Pizza boxes should be thrown away and plastic grocery bags can either be thrown away or repurposed in a variety of different ways: as lunch sacks, trash can liners or simply storage. Fluorescent bulbs can be recycled, but only at certain places (Westpark Recycling Center or any Home Depot or Ikea).

So, why should we recycle? Williams says, “Recycling is the most practical way for us to make sure we are helping preserve the planet. If we don’t recycle, we will have a hard time having the resources we need to enjoy our modern lifestyles. I want my children to enjoy the blessings of a clean and prosperous planet.”

If you haven’t been recycling, now is the time to start! If you do recycle, but not regularly, make a conscious effort to do so or implement a system that makes it easier for you. If you need a refresher on what can and can’t be recycled or want some more recycling tips, check out Bellaire’s recycling guide.