Whether your resolution for 2021 is to eat better, get more exercise, declutter, learn something new or save money, you have simple ways to accomplish these goals while also reducing your environmental impact.
Intentions for 2021
How? Big changes come from little actions: if we each make small adjustments to our behavior, we can make a big difference. And achieving our regional targets of reducing waste, water, and energy use is only possible if everybody does their part.
Here are 10 simple ways to meet your goals and reduce your environmental impact in 2021:
- Rediscover the value of food: The average Canadian household wastes 140kg of food annually – that adds up to roughly $1,100 per year! Save money and reduce food waste by making a meal plan, shopping your fridge and pantry first to avoid buying doubles, and buying only what you know you’ll use. Bonus tip: meal planning also helps reduce those impulse purchases!
- Go paperless: Forgo the printed copy of your recycling schedule this year without missing collection day by signing up for recycling reminders or downloading:
Photo by Mihály Köles. Plastic (PET) bottles collected from the river Tisza. They are ready to be transported and recycled.
Recycle Nation (United States)
RecycleNation (previously known as 1800recycling) is a location-based mobile app designed to improve recycling knowledge and overall recycling rates across the United States. RecycleNation has one of the most comprehensive recycling databases globally, allowing users to choose from 15 categories that list more than 2,500 items to determine what they can and cannot recycle.
The app is free to download on iOS and Google Play.
iRecycle (United States)
The iRecycle mobile application created by Earth 911 has one of the world's largest single recycling databases. It has a well-designed search directory that allows users to look up products of all types, from automotive to household items. It provides relevant information regarding the drop-off point, such as location address, phone number, and opening hours. This recycling app helps residents of the United States recycle over 350 materials at thousands of locations across the country. The iRecycle app also offers a news section that provides the latest information regarding the waste and recycling sectors and shares recycling tips that users can forward to family, friends, and social networks.
Download the free app on iTunes and Google Play.
RecycleSmart (Australia)
The RecycleSmart mobile app was built in partnership with Planet Ark and is Australia’s most comprehensive recycling mobile app. It lets users select their counsel from a full list of over 500 Australian councils. Setting a location enables them to find the nearest recycling drop-off spots and special waste facilities nearest them. The app has user-friendly search functionality that allows easy searching for items where users can type the item in or browse through the main categories on the home page to learn whether an item is recyclable and compostable. The app also has reporting capabilities so users can report recycling issues in their region.
RecycleSmart is free to download on iTunes and Android.
My-waste® (Worldwide)
The My-waste mobile recycling app works with municipalities worldwide to deliver up-to-date waste and recycling information to residents. Users can sign up and enter their postcode to receive reminders about bin collection dates within their region, set reminders for waste and recycling collections, and even search the ‘What Goes Where’ database if you’re unsure what you can recycle. It also provides information on waste disposal and recycling drop-off points closest to the user. The app also works with digital assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Ask what to do with certain items, and you will get a quick response.
Unfortunately, full capabilities are not available to all users as it depends on whether your municipality is participating (it doesn’t seem to be available in my corner of Australia). A quick search on Google shows many municipalities in the United States and Canada participating in the My-waste® app community.
My-waste® is available on both iTunes and Android. To download on iTunes, click here. For Android, click here.
Recycle for Greater Manchester (United Kingdom)
This mobile app helps residents in the Greater Manchester region manage their waste and recycling, sends reminders for bin collection and provides details on nearest recycling centers and drop-off points. It also has an A-Z guide to waste and recycling to help residents understand what they can and cannot do with each item. This app is recommended for people residing within the following municipalities: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford. For more information, visit recycleforgreatermanchester.com.
Download the free recycling app on Google Play or iTunes.
Recycle Right (Western Australia)
The Recycle Right mobile app created by Southern Metropolitan Regional Council was developed for Western Australia residents to improve their recycling knowledge and understand which items go in which bins to improve state-wide recycling rates. Users can choose their local council, find the nearest recycling drop-off locations for items such as car batteries, and have an A-Z materials recycling guide. The app also features helpful advice and categories such as ‘Handy Tips,’ which provides information on how to compost, create worm farms, and use real nappies. It also has a section entitled ‘Leftover Recipes’ filled with various recipes that reduce food waste.
Recycle Right is available to download free on App Store and Google Play.
Brisbane Bin and Recycling (Australia)
This mobile app is the Brisbane City Council’s official bin and recycling app. It helps users keep track of bin collection days and helps Brisbane residents recycle, providing an alphabetical list of materials and information on properly disposing of recycling or compost. It also provides a list of recycling centers and drop-off locations, including maps and directions.
Download Brisbane’s free recycling app on iTunes and Google Play.
Fat Llama (US and UK)
While technically not an app, we love this concept and need to include it because it goes beyond a sharing economy – to a sharing society and promotes it in a way that we haven’t seen before – and we’ve been around a while!
Fat Llama‘s peer-to-peer rental platform works similar to Airbnb, except instead of connecting people through rooms and homes, they connect people who have spare stuff with people who want to use it (for example, film equipment, drones, motorhomes, scooters, etc.)
For more info, visit their website.
- Reduce, reuse, and then recycle: Have an item you no longer want? Rather than throwing it out, see if you can give it away or donate it. If it’s broken, see if it can be repaired. If not, learn if it can be recycled. From textiles to electronics, our region has many recycling options.
Recommended: Wasting Resources 1982. Re-use, Reduce, Recycle
- Return to the depot: Help keep your house clutter-free by recycling plastic bags, styrofoam blocks, and another flexible plastic packaging, such as chip bags and crinkly wrappers, for free at any Recycle BC depot.
- Ditch single-use items: Reduce the amount of waste you create by swapping single-use items for their reusable counterparts — carry a reusable mug and/or water bottle, bring reusable bags for grocery shopping, pack a lunch in reusable containers, etc.
- Switch to LED bulbs: Improve your home’s energy efficiency by making the switch to LED bulbs. Not only do LEDs use roughly 75-per-cent-less energy than a regular incandescent bulb, but they also last much longer. Once you’ve made the switch, don’t forget to recycle the old bulbs!
- Strive for five-minute showers: Alongside toilets and leaks, showers are the biggest indoor residential water use area. Reducing your shower time helps conserve our region’s water supply and will save you money.
- Clean green: Many household cleaners are hard on the environment, and once down the drain, they can end up in the ocean or groundwater. This year, why not learn to make your own cleaning products? Find recipes for inexpensive, environmentally safe alternatives in the Clean Green Cookbook.
- Plant native species: If gardening is on your 2021 to-do list, gardening with native plants means less watering and maintenance while supporting local biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
- Choose active transportation: On-road transportation is our region’s greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing to walk or wheel to your destination benefits your physical and mental health, as well as the environment.
Recommended: Best Cycling, Biking Cities In The World: Share
Making a difference together is just that easy — pick a resolution or two, and let’s get started!
Cover photo Paul Blenkhorn @SensoryArtHouse. Unsplash
Source:
Sooke News Mirror Impress
8 Free Mobile Apps To Help You Recycle
Before you go!
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