Waste and Reycling in a Nutshell: Don't Throw it Out!

In the Green RADventures of Nico, Volume 1, Nico Goes to the Mountains, a children's book designed to educate kids on Environmental Issues, we talk about the importance of efficient waste and recycling practices. More specifically, paying attention to every item that we throw out as well as reusing and recycling whenever possible. The point of purchase or acquisition almost always eventually leads to sending the item to the trash. With more permanent items like appliances, sporting equipment, tools and electronics we hope that they will be used for a long time, and then only disposed of properly when they no longer work or can't accomplish what we need them to for work, life, or fun. If you are lucky enough to have the money to spend on an upgrade like a more energy efficient washing machine or dryer and the one you have still works, then why not share your good fortune with someone who could use a second hand appliance? Free online classifieds offer people the opportunity to make some money on their old items while helping someone else find an item that is closer to their price range, and keeping the landfill smaller at the same time. If an item is broken but only needs a slight repair, it could still be sold for a great discount to someone who would be willing to pay a bit beyond your price to have it fixed, which also puts money back into the local economy because the repairman will be paid as well. If it is broken beyond repair and is made of metal, there are companies that will pay you for the metal. The engine could then be disposed of properly, and once again, almost everyone wins.
Items like clothing should almost NEVER be thrown away. There is always a local thrift shop that will take them, and this again helps those who are less fortunate and keeps the items out of the landfill. www.radventuresofnico.com espouses the belief that ‘One Person's Trash is Another's Pleasure', so don't think for a second that there isn't someone out there who would use those old jeans for gardening, yard work, or even to complete their own sewing projects. The oldest snowboards in the world are still holding up well as interesting benches. There will always be someone who needs a simple radio for their garage or workspace, so if the CD player quits on your unit, it STILL ISN'T TRASH!! It's just a radio, but someone will listen to it for the right price. Donating to the thrift store doesn't bring a profit or recoup what you spent on the item, but it keeps that landfill smaller. That is an effort in which we all have an investment.