Recycling plastic bottles is a great way to help the environment.
The amount of plastic used by most American homes is truly staggering. By simply recycling plastic bottles, families can cut down dramatically on landfill. Plastic bottles take approximately one million years to biodegrade and are a huge cause of landfill overcrowding. Recycling also saves money because it requires families to buy fewer garbage bags and may mean paying less for garbage collection. The City of Houston offers curbside recycling pickup as well as numerous recycling facilities where citizens can drop off plastic bottles and other recyclable items. Does this Spark an idea?
Curbside Recycling Pickup
The City of Houston offers periodic curbside pickup of recyclable waste, including plastic bottles. Citizens do not need to notify the city to pick up recycling--the city offers a schedule of recycling pickup days divided by neighborhood and zip code. You must place recycling in an 18-gallon bin at the curb of your home on appointed pickup days to take advantage of this service.
Neighborhood Centers
The City of Houston offers three neighborhood recycling drop-off centers. Not all areas in Houston offer curbside recycling, and these centers provide free recycling as an alternative. Neighbors can simply drive through and dispose of plastic, glass and paper.
Westpark Consumer Recycling Center
5900 Westpark
In addition to plastics, this center accepts batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze.
Environmental Services Center
11500 S. Post Oak Boulevard
Environmental Services Center
5614 Neches Street
In addition to plastics, both ESCs accept Hazardous Household Waste, including pesticides, herbicides, oil paint, varnish and stain, polishes and vehicle products.
Private Recycling Centers
Numerous retailers, including Target and UPS, offer plastic recycling. See the Resources section for a complete listing.
Reusing Plastic
You can recycle many plastic items at home by simply reusing them. Plastic water bottles can be refilled and used as portable water bottles. Try storing homemade iced tea and lemonade in rinsed-out milk jugs. Plastic bottles can also be used for children's crafts. Paint plastic bottles and turn them into piggy banks or fill them with rocks and flowers for an inexpensive, recycled vase for a child's room.
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