By Carla Kostiak

Introduction

As the founder of the German Green Party, Petra Kelly once said “If we don’t do the impossible, we shall be faced with the unthinkable.” It is time we answered Kelly’s call to action and set into motion the necessary steps to revitalize the earth, such as, integrating recycling programs within local communities. The simple practice of generating new uses for discarded materials conserves natural resources, reduces air pollution, saves energy and downsizes landfills. For example, if everyone in the country recycled a newspaper a week thirty-six million trees a year would be saved.

There are six steps involved with setting up a recycling program in an educational facility:

1. Consult a waste collection service

2. Determine what is needed

3. Gather equipment

4. Organize

5. Roll out the program

6. Maintain program

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Recycled paper materials can actually become sturdy enough to build a bookshelf from them, thanks to the internal structure of the boards.

Take a look at these really creative arrangements. You can duplicate them yourself without tools, since the units are assembled using a very strong peel and stick adhesive.

Waybasics, the creator of zBoards also has a blog where they discuss ways to use their product, even moving into office and industrial uses.

This update was inspired by the more complete article on Treehugger.

By Nancy Whelan

Plastic recycling is important but reducing plastic usage is our ticket to a healthier planet moving forward. If we were reluctant to buy in to the mass hysteria surrounding plastic waste before, recent news coming from reputable sources such as The New York Times and Sierra Club warn us that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now twice the size of Texas. The waters there have been described by scientists as “minestrone,” containing plastic of all types and sizes, from identifiable household items to confetti-sized litter. It remains to be seen what can be done, if anything, to remove existing plastic from our oceans.

Reducing plastic waste in our environment begins with you and me. Refusing plastic packaging requires time and energy and difficult choices. Recycling the plastic we already have is also time-consuming and challenging.

There are some easy ways to stop using plastic in the household and even when you’re on the move:

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