For Earth Day: Lorax Finds New Ways For You To Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; A phrase that has been forever implanted into our minds. Still, approximately 80% of things thrown out as trash could be recycled. With the threat of global warming and the blame put on human beings for destroying their own home planet, recycling is the easiest way you can help. The most common recyclables are paper items, plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, etc. But other items can be recycled that can help the planet.

The Lorax Club works to show the community that there is more that can be done. Lorax runs recycling in the school building and has collects of old cell phones and other unwanted electronic devices (in a box on the front desk in the main office). Why? Because over 70 percent of heavy metals in landfills come from electronic devices which produce toxic emissions. By recycling your old cell phones and other electronic devices, the metal in them, including copper, gold, lead, zinc and other raw materials, can be reused. Next time you think of tossing that old phone, recycle your electronic waste in the Lorax box on the desk in the Main Office.

The following are a few more items that can be recycled that will further clear landfills of waste:

Sneakers- can be used to create sport surfaces and safe playgrounds. Visit www.nikereuseashoe.com to learn how you can donate your old sneakers.

Carpet- Surprisingly, carpet can be recycled to be made into composite lumber for decks, roofing shingles, railroad ties, automotive parts, and stepping stones.

Tires- can be remade into floor mats, belts, shoe soles, mulch, or highway crash barriers after recycling. Check with your local waste management agency for details about tire recycling.

Eyeglasses- Glasses can’t necessarily be made into anything, or even recycled for that matter. However, your glasses can be donated to http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org and you can join the organization in providing a better life through improved vision to poor children and adults who can’t afford glasses of their own.

For more information about recycling in Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of the Environment website.

To see a WNHS Story about last year’s Lorax W.O.E. Day, click here.

– Maura Schwartz, The Patriot Press

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