Episode 6: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Bexx Caswell-Olson
In 2018, the United States landfilled over 146 million tons of waste which included almost 60 million tons of plastics, glass, metal, and paper. Compare this to the 69 million tons of material that was recycled in that same year. When it comes to the well known phrase 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle', many of us only think of recycling but it's clearly not the answer to our waste problem. Accessible recycling of most materials varies from place to place, city to city, state to state and 'wish-cycling' leads to contaminated batches of recycled material. Bexx Caswell-Olson, from the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Massachusetts, speaks with Roxy about her experience navigating common waste streams in her local area. Small, intentional and creative choices done collectively within an institution can lead to impactful change.
Remember the five r's are just the beginning: reduce, reuse, recycle, rehome, repair, rot (compost), etc., I'm sure you can think of more.
Waste Stream Resources from Bexx:
Earth 911 - https://earth911.com/ - Website with recycling resources and advice.
Terracycle – https://www.terracycle.com/
Paid recycling programs include gloves, electronics, media storage, textiles, and more! Can provide recycling solutions for materials that can’t be recycled locally.
Kimberly Clark Right Cycle - https://www.kcprofessional.com/en-us/solutions/rightcycle-by-kimberly-clark-professional
Recycling for gloves and other PPE.
Cibra Solutions, WeRecyle – https://www.cirbasolutions.com/packaging
Mail-in battery recycling.
Buy Nothing Project – https://buynothingproject.org/
Give away usable furniture and supplies within your local community.
Staples - https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling
Recycles batteries, electronics, printer and toner cartridges. Can drop-off locally.
NexTrex - https://nextrex.com/
Directory of businesses that will accept plastic bags and plastic film for recycling through NexTrex’s program.