One thing that has increased during this pandemic? Home deliveries! This means we are living with A LOT more boxes and plastic packaging than we ever have before. Here’s the advice we’ve been giving to our clients for dealing with it.
Tip 1: Break down those boxes and stick them in your recycling bin as soon as you receive them. Breaking down one box takes about 30 seconds. Breaking down a stack of boxes in your garage takes a lot longer and can feel like a tedious task. To keep from feeling overwhelmed, don’t let those boxes build up.
Tip 2: If you end up with more flattened cardboard than will fit in your recycling bin and you live in the Portland Metro area, Metro Recycling says it’s fine to leave a tidy stack of boxes next to your recycling bin for the recycling hauler to pick up. Just make sure you don’t leave your extra boxes out in the rain. Cardboard is not recyclable once it gets wet.
Tip 3: To deal with all that plastic packaging that comes in boxes, it’s helpful to have a plastic bag to collect it near your recycling and trash area in your house. The new Ridwell service collects plastic packaging (along with other types of stretchy, thin plastic film) once every two weeks for a small fee. Or you can recycle the plastic at your local supermarkets like Fred Meyer (they typically have a receptacle for recycling plastic in their front entrance way.)
Tip 4: If you’ve been getting a lot of grocery deliveries, you probably have a huge stack of brown paper bags. Your local food pantry might be able to take these bags. Some of our clients have had good luck giving them away in their local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. If neither options work for you, you can always recycle paper bags too.
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