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Most people are familiar with ways to recycle and reuse plastic or paper items, such as creating seed paper cards out of recycled paper products, but recycling extends far beyond these items. Many environmentally friendly people may be overwhelmed by the amount of waste and nonrecyclable items they accumulate. Check out this list of things you didn’t know you can recycle. 

Carpet 

Planning to replace your old carpet? Recycle it! Some carpet companies have recycling programs in place to encourage customers to recycle. You can also research your nearest carpet recycling facility.  

CDs and DVDs 

In the age of streaming services, everyone is looking to get rid of their old CDs and DVDs. These items can often be recycled into new materials, making them desirable to environmentally conscious manufacturers.  

Washers and Dryers 

Believe it or not, you can also recycle big home appliances such as washers and dryers. Some materials used to build washers and dryers can be recycled, while others can be repurposed for other machinery.  

Fluorescent Light Bulbs 

Throwing away fluorescent light bulbs can be detrimental to the environment, as the broken bulbs can release mercury into the air. To prevent this, some retailers will accept recycled light bulbs to be repurposed later.  

Tires 

Tires have extreme effects on the environment when they’re not recycled properly. Tires are both reusable and recyclable, so be sure to research tire recycling companies near you or ways to reuse your tires, such as creating tire planting pots.  

Eyeglasses 

Once your prescription has changed or your glasses break, they’re essentially useless to you. However, you can recycle all the components of glasses. Your local optometrist may accept recycled glasses, or they can provide suggestions on where to recycle your glasses.  Many items we all own can be recycled to further our sustainability efforts. You can’t recycle every item in your standard recycling bin, though. Be sure to research where you can recycle the items in your house.

Turning on a lamp for your lighting is never the same as enjoying the light you can get from the sun. Sure, you must rely on the lights in your home in many instances, but how often do you consider the use of natural lighting? And how often do you consider its benefits? As human beings, we should look to increase the amount of natural lighting we receive indoors for many reasons. Here, you can learn some of the key reasons as we take a further look at why you need more natural light in your home.

It Saves on Energy Costs

A lot of people don’t always think about the cost of their energy. Natural lighting is good for seeing and for mood, but it can also make the rooms of your house warmer, which will keep the cost of running the heat down when it’s colder out.

Fights Against Depression

Sunlight helps people feel happier and more awake by allowing their brains to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is the hormone that elevates your mood, which also releases endorphins that make you happier. The sunlight also can lessen the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that appears more in the winter when it’s gloomier out. Finding ways to incorporate nature into your home is a key way to elevate your mood, and sunlight is a part of that.

Lessens the Effects of Stress

Natural light can also lessen stress and anxiety. The light affects people by improving the parts of their brains that allow them to deal with emotions. Along with this, sunlight can lower blood pressure. The light enhances the amount of nitric oxide, a natural blood pressure-reducer, in your system.

Gives You More Physical Energy

Staying awake is a perfect reason why you need more natural light in your home. The sunlight can slow down your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you tired so that you can sleep. If you want to stay energized and awake, especially when you have a lot to accomplish in a day, it’s important to get as much sunlight as you can.

Increases the Value of Your House

If you have a home with good accessibility to natural light with the right windows, it will increase the value of your property. A lot of times, this is because the amount of light can increase the illusion of space. You can make this possible by installing the best types of windows. Great options for custom-made replacement windows are available to make your home more accessible to natural light.

Each year, the health of our environment gradually decreases, which ultimately threatens our ability to enjoy the clean air, water, and soil we require to live. As the need to protect our environment becomes increasingly vital, the demand for jobs that focus on improving the environment is growing. If you’re interested in pursuing a meaningful career dedicated to the noble pursuit of preserving our planet, consider taking up one of these jobs that involve protecting the environment.

Wildland Firefighter

Each year, wildfires destroy millions of acres of forests and vegetation. Even after the fires are out, they continue to have numerous additional negative aftereffects, such as erosion, altered water quality, landslides, and increased flooding.

To help prevent and control wildfires and reduce the destruction that they cause, consider becoming a wildland firefighter. It is important to note that embarking on a career path as a wildland firefighter isn’t for the faint of heart. At any given moment, wildland firefighters must be ready to risk their lives by entering into blazing forests where they encounter copious amounts of smoke, heat, flames, and falling trees at every turn.

Conservation Scientist

For a less life-threatening career path that will still allow you to help preserve the planet, consider a career as a conservation scientist. As a conservation scientist, you would be responsible for protecting, managing, and improving natural resources. Through work with the government on the state, local, and federal levels, conservation scientists find ways to improve the usage of land and other natural resources based on environmental evaluations.

Environmental Engineer

Another job that involves protecting the environment is environmental engineering. This lucrative job allows you to create a more environmentally friendly future by applying engineering principles to solve pressing environmental problems. Common job duties of environmental engineers include preparing and updating environmental investigation reports, designing environmental protection projects, and updating plans or permits for waste disposal, recycling, air pollution, and public health. To become an environmental engineer requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or another related field, such as chemical or civil engineering.

Creating beautiful, blooming flower beds and healthy vegetable gardens are great projects for families and communities. Learn how to create an accessible garden for persons of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Measure Wide Paths

Getting outdoors with friends and family has physical and mental benefits for everyone, including people with disabilities. Accessible gardens have wide, smooth pathways to accommodate wheelchairs, motorized scooters, walkers, and people who use a cane. Paths should be at least 4—preferably 5—feet wide.

Raised and Table Beds

Raised beds make reaching plants easier. They should be 24-inches high for wheelchair users and 30-inches high for someone who can stand but has trouble bending over. A person seated on a bench next to the bed should be able to reach to the middle of the bed from either side. A width of 16- to 24-inches long works well. While a raised bed extends upward from the ground, a tabletop bed sits on legs with open space underneath. A wheelchair can roll under it to allow a disabled person to tend the bed.

Water

Construct an irrigation system of soaker hoses that drip water in the beds, but run in regular hoses between beds, out of the way of paths. Soaker hose systems set on timers eliminate the need for gardeners with mobility or balance issues to carry heavy watering cans or to balance with a cane or walker while using a hose to spray the garden beds.

Remember All Five Senses

Accessible gardens can include sensory elements for people who have visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities. Herbs and fragrant flowers add a waft of scent to the garden. Plants that rustle in the breeze, like grasses, corn, or plants that attract songbirds, add auditory interest.

The hearing impaired can sense vibrations from chimes or features that create percussive noises, like tapping or pounding. Be aware, however, that these could disturb people with autism, so paths labeled with upcoming features will help guests and their companions navigate to parts of the garden that will please them.

Plants with soft, textured leaves—like lamb’s ear—add tactile experiences for children. However, this also means that it is critical to ensure that an accessible garden is non-toxic throughout—young children and those with developmental delays may try to pluck plants and put plants in their mouths.  Any vegetation within reach of any guest must be harmless. 

Involve people of all ages and abilities in planting and tending the garden. Seed paper makes planting perennial wildflowers, lovely annuals, and a variety of vegetables easy. Simply soak the paper overnight in water, lay it in the raised bed, and cover it with a layer of soil. Keep the paper moist and watch as flowers or vegetables sprout and grow.

Creating an accessible garden takes planning and forethought. The rewards are many, as families and communities can welcome people of all abilities to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the garden.