Recycling tips

Stop throwing it away!

Did you know that Quebecers each produce 20 tons of garbage each minute, which is enough waste to fill about 5 thousand garbage bags every day? This averages out to about 1.5 tons of garbage per person each year.

Not a very impressive track record! And what is really disturbing, is that the numbers keep climbing. Nearly 85% of this waste is reusable in some way. Now would be a great time for you and your family to make a difference by reducing your waste.

The recycling possibilities for recovered material are incredible! For example, did you know that:

• Recycled plastic bottles are used to make polar fleece clothes.
• Recycled glass is used to manufacture the reflective paint used on highways.
• Recycled newspaper is used to make cat litter.

If everyone would recycle, the planet would be freed of an enormous burden. Instead of adding to the land fills, recycled materials would be used to manufacture useful things, giving them a second life!

These tips will help you take the challenge:

Carbon credits
Learn all about recycling
Hold a garage sale
Eco-fashion: good values without sacrificing style
The green lunch box challenge
Get the most out of aluminium
Fantastic plastic!
Do you know the 4 R's?

To find out more about recycling, visit RECYC-QUÉBEC's website and click the "L'ABC du recyclage" heading on the homepage. (site in French only)

For more information about recycling refundable containers, visit: www.consignaction.ca