Western Disposal

5 Facts About Glass Recycling

Many Americans use glass bottles and containers every day. When finishing a beer or scraping the last of the jam from the jar, keep these facts in mind and remember that recycling glass can make a big difference.

Glass is 100 Percent Recyclable

When you recycle a bottle or jar, you can feel confident that it will wind up being used to create something new. Even contaminated glass does not wind up in a landfill—it is used to create fiberglass and concrete. Glass, like aluminum, can be recycled over and over again with no loss of quality.

Only 25 Percent of Glass Containers Are Recycled

Despite the ease of recycling and the spread of pro-recycling campaigns, the majority of glass containers in the U.S. end up in the trash. While some areas of the U.S. have limited access to curbside recycling pickup or other inconveniences, many people simply throw all their unwanted items in the trash out of habit, laziness, or a lack of information.

Restaurants and Bars Are Responsible for a Portion of Glass Use

18 percent of glass containers are consumed at bars and restaurants. Make sure your favorite establishments are practicing responsible waste disposal.

One Bottle Makes a Difference

Many people assume that their personal efforts can’t change the big-picture problem. However, even a single piece of glass recycling can make a dent. The energy saved by recycling a single bottle can power a laptop computer for half an hour.

13 Million Glass Containers are Recycled Every Day in the U.S.

Millions of Americans are making green choices every day. You can help encourage the rest to recycle by making sure recycling bins are available in your home, office, and favorite hangouts.

Western Disposal offers recycling, composting, and other green waste management services to the Boulder area. If you are interested in our services, or in learning more about recycling, contact us today! Give us a call at (303) 586-1100.

Educate Yourself on the Recycling, Composting And Waste Removal Services Available From Western Disposal

Help make the world a better place for your children by following the tips presented in the below links. Also be sure to work with the friendly professionals at Western Disposal, located in Boulder.

• Composting is a completely natural, chemical-free process. Learn some other benefits of composting by visiting this informative blog.
• To find out what you should compost and why you should do it, check out this helpful guide.
• Are you still hazy on the basics of composting? Find out how to compost by clicking this link.
• If you’re not sold on the impact and benefits of recycling, visit EPA.gov to find out why your contributions matter. 
• Are you unsure about whether certain items can be recycled? If so, check out the list of recyclables provided by UC San Diego.

For more information about our zero-waste recycling services, give us a ring today at (303) 586-1100.

Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Live Green

In order to teach your kids to live a green lifestyle, you must live one yourself. The concept of leading by example certainly applies when it comes to teaching your kids eco-friendly behaviors such as recycling. The earlier in life your kids develop green habits, the more likely they are to retain them and carry those habits through adulthood. Set an example by taking the following eco-friendly steps.

• Reuse: Set an example for your children by reusing items we commonly throw away. For instance, instead of throwing away lunch bags after one use, reuse them a number of times. By reusing products, you will be keeping those items from piling up in landfills, and thus will be effectively reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and harmful chemicals.
• Recycle: Even if you’re not planning on using a specific product again, there’s a good chance it will be useful somewhere. Recycling helps preserve the environment by lessening the demand for raw materials. As opposed to using raw materials at an excessive rate, whatever you recycle can be used again. Subsequently, landfills will be less crowded and the environment less polluted. Teach your child which items are recyclable and encourage them to do so.
• Compost: Composting is yet another way to positively impact the environment. The idea behind composting is to recycle decomposed organic material for the purpose of enriching the soil with nutrients and continuing the cycle of life. Instead of sending organic waste to landfills and contributing to the release of chemicals and greenhouse gases, you will be improving soil and preserving raw materials.

Educate your kids about the benefits of reusing, recycling, and composting. By leading through example you can set the tone to a green life. Work with Western Disposal to make the world a more eco-friendly place. To find out more information about our recycling services, call us today at (303) 586-1100.

Composting Dos & Don'ts

There are those that operate under the false assumption that composting is as simple as tossing throwaway items into a garden and expecting greatness. To the contrary, many items, such as oils, meats, and dairy products, should never be included in this somewhat selective process.

Conversely, grass clippings, green vegetable scraps, and leaves are extremely helpful in creating an organic garden. Check out this helpful video for a comprehensive rundown of the dos and don’ts of composting.

Because compostables decompose so quickly, they are naturally beneficial for the soil. Learn more about the many green benefits associated with composting by contacting Western Disposal in Boulder. Call us today at (303) 586-1100 to find out more information about compostables recycling.

How to Create an Organic Garden with Your Compost

Paper, food scraps, wood, and yard trimmings are a few regularly discarded items that can be composted. By utilizing these materials, you can create a beautiful, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly garden. Read on for a brief guide to the composting process and follow these steps to create a beautiful garden.

• Spread a Brown Layer: The first order of business is deciding where you want to compost. Once you’ve designated a certain area, begin by spreading a layer of brown, or carbon-rich materials. This can include straw, leaves, and even shredded newspaper. This layer will ideally be a few inches thick.
• Top it with a Green Layer: After you’ve spread a few inch thick layer of carbon-rich, brown materials, you will then top it with a layer of green materials. This will likely be grass clippings, but can also include vegetable peelings and related kitchen waste.
• Add a Layer of Soil: After spreading a layer of grass, vegetable peelings, and other greens, you will want to add a layer of garden soils. This should be roughly one or two shovelfuls, however the amount can fluctuate depending on the size of your composting area.
• Add More Brown: Once you’ve added a layer of soil you will need to once again add a layer of brown leaves and other brown materials on top of the soil.
• Moisten: It’s imperative that you don’t let the area get too dry, because dryness slows the decomposition process. In order to gauge if your compost is moist enough, grab a handful and see if it feels similar to a wet sponge. If it feels dryer than that, moisten it to accelerate the composition process.
• Enjoy: Composting improves the quality of your garden soil and negates any deficiencies the soil may have had. Not only will you be left with an incredible garden, but you’ll also be helping the environment by utilizing this all-natural process.

To learn more about composting and its many benefits, don’t hesitate to contact Western Disposal in Boulder. To find out more information, call us at (303) 586-1100 today.