Source Reduction and Recycling - General Information
What is source reduction? Source reduction is also known as “waste prevention”, and is a way of stopping waste at the source. Source reduction can impede an item’s entry into the waste stream and ultimately into the landfills. For example, purchase products in bulk when you can, purchase beverages in refillable containers, use shopping bags that are reusable such as cloth shopping bags, and use coffee mugs instead of styrofoam disposable cups.
 What is recycling? Recycling is the collection of items, that would otherwise be considered waste, that are processed into raw materials and then manufactured into new products. Recyclable items may originate from a wide range of sources including home and industry.Examples of common household items which are recyclable:
Glass- jars, bottles, beverage containers
Aluminum Cans- steel cans, tin cans, food containers
 Paper- newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone directories, office paper, mixed paper, catalogs, cardboard, frozen food boxes, milk cartons, juice and soymilk boxes, cereal boxes known as “chipboard”
Plastic- water and soft drink bottles, laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs, margarine containers, plastic grocery bags (try to return plastic bags to the grocery store for deposit in a designated container usually towards the front of the store as these bags are sent to lumber mills to be melted and mixed with sawdust to create plastic lumber)
Food Waste (non-dairy)- to be deposited in a compost pile, either backyard composting or vermicomposting (a container style composting method that uses dirt and worms to produce a soil fertilizer called hummus)
What is the recycling process? Once recyclable items are collected they are sent to a Materials Recovery Facility, better known as a MRF, to be sorted, baled, and shipped to manufacturers for manufacturing with total or partial recycled content. As individual, business, and government consumers purchase items made of recycled content the recycling loop is then complete.
How do I recycle? Visit http://www.timetorecycle.com/education/How_To_Recycle.asp to learn how.
TimetoRecycle.com is a web site designed for easy access to recycling programs available in the North Central Texas region to increase awareness of the benefits of recycling and encourage all citizens in the region to participate in local recycling programs. You can find how to recycle in your city or county by visiting http://www.timetorecycle.com/residential/programs.asp.
If you wish to recycle an item not accepted in your city's curbside recycling program, or if you live in an area that does not have an active recycling program, visit http://www.timetorecycle.com/map/ to identify a recycling location near you. This web site was developed and is maintained by the North Central Texas Council of Governments in cooperation with the Metroplex Recycling Coordinators Roundtable.
What if I live in multi-family housing? If you live in multi-family housing (e.g. apartments, condos, and townhomes) and there is not an active recycling program, contact your property management team to find out if such a program can be offered. If not, you will need to take your recyclables to a drop-off location near you.
What is a drop-off location? Drop-off locations are sites where you "drop off" your recycled materials. Some locations may be as simple as having a large roll-off container or igloos to deposit items or as complex as having a staffed recycling facility at a park or an intersection. Visit http://www.timetorecycle.com/map/ to identify a recycling drop-off location near you.
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