When people ask what they can do to help protect the environment, the first answer is usually a simple one: recycle. These days, most municipalities provide recycling services along with garbage collection to make it easy for residents to do their part. The challenge then is to set up a convenient space in your home to allow for collecting the glass, aluminum, paper, and plastic we all need to recycle.
Wait a minute; this was supposed to be simple. Like most people, my home is already filled to the brim with things I mean to keep. Where am I supposed to find room for recyclables too without turning my home into a landfill?
Fortunately, today’s beginning recyclers have lots of options. Professional organizers and stores such as Organized Living have turned organizing home décor into an art form, but using their expertise can cost a pretty penny. If price is no option, this might be a great place to start. But if your budget for building your recycling station is actually coming from the change you get back from collecting cans, you may have to think outside the bin.
The first step in creating your recycling station is to look at your home. Like in real estate, its always location, location, location. Decide on the most practical place to put it where it will be – first and most importantly – used, second, out of the way, and third, if not completely hidden, at least attractive enough not to ruin your interior design.
Consider these three options to create a useful home recycling station: hide it, disguise it, or show it off.
Hide It Do you have room in the garage for a recycling station, perhaps one that is already near your garbage cans? Maybe a pantry that has a little room for some bins? Any nook or cranny you can curtain off? Great! Then you have lots of options for a workable recycling station, from simple to elaborate.
This recycling and storage tower from Target ($49.99,
www.target.com) uses a great standing design to take up minimum floor space. Perfect for the garage, laundry room, or even outside, the three big drawers keep the mess out of site while allowing you to separate glass, aluminum, and paper as necessary. The bins are even removable for easy cleaning, and the bottom drawer includes a convenient foot pedal. The tower also provides handy hooks on the side to store plastic bags.
Another less expensive option is to purchase some organizing bins and either leave them near the garbage cans, or store them on shelves nearby. These nylon bins from Big Lots (set of 2 for $8,
www.biglots.com) are inexpensive and lightweight. If you decide to keep them outside, they should weather the elements well enough for the price, but they’re so colorful and fun, you might even want to bring them inside to show them off.
Disguise It Not everyone has the space to hide their recycling station in another room or closet. In my one bedroom apartment, space is at a premium. So the next best option might be to hide it in plain site, by disguising it.
To create a useful recycling station, you really need to put it where you will use it. For plastic grocery bags, I use a great brushed platinum plastic holder that I found from Simple Human ($9.99,
www.simplehuman.com). It’s mounted on the wall right next to the cat litter box in the hall for easy access, and seems to hold an inexhaustible supply. Reusing plastic bags is a great way to recycle and save money at the same time.
This silver mesh newspaper bin from Organized Living ($34.99,
www.organizedliving.com) is attractive enough to hide your stacks in plain sight without turning your living room into a newsstand.
If industrial design isn’t your look, a pretty woven basket or even a colorful ceramic planter could do the same job. Don’t forget to check garage sales or even thrift stores for gently used items and start recycling with your station itself.
Show it Off Show the world you’re doing your part to save the environment by incorporating your recycling station into the décor of your home, even use it as an accent item. These simple fabric bags are great for storing plastic grocery bags, and add a splash of color to your kitchen too. Keep one on a magnet hook on the fridge (even a ton of those bags are nearly weightless). The elastic on both ends makes bags easy to store and keeps them at your fingertips just where you need them. I found these colorful bags on eBay ($3.99,
www.ebay.com). There’s sure to be one to match your kitchen’s color scheme.
If you’re really intent on doing your part in style, this three partitioned hamper from Home Decorators Collection ($149,
www.homedecorators.com) is an elegant option. Just line the wooden bins with plastic bags, and no one will ever guess it’s a recycling station.
To find something similar with a smaller price tag, check discount department stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx (
www.marshallsonline.com,
www.tjmaxx.com). They always have a wide selection of inexpensive furniture items and wicker baskets at great prices. And prices on their clearance items can’t be beat.
As you can see, there are more options for recycling today than ever before. To make recycling a part of your daily routine, and help the environment, start by making a recycling station a part of your home. If we think globally and act locally, we can all do our part to help save the world -- while saving our pennies.
Rosemary Picado is a freelance journalist and technical writer. She has worked as a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. She lives in San Jose. 
