This weeks sustainable living tips are all focused on recycling, composting, and how to responsibly get rid of electronics and other large household items! While this information is specific to Hennepin County in Minnesota, yours should be very (if not exactly) similar. I found this information on our county website, so you can look up the information specific to your region to double check!

1. What can I recycle?

2. What can I compost?

Food (nuts, bread, pasta, rice, eggs, dairy products, meat, fruits and vegetables, etc.)

Cups, plates, utensils, etc. that are labeled as compostable

Paper egg cartons

Coffee grounds, cotton balls, hair clippings, plants and flowers, small wooden objects, nail clippings

3. How can I compost?

Most cities have places where you can drop your compost off for free, and some cities, like Chicago, give you the option to have buckets of compost picked up every week.

If you want to keep the compost for your own plants and don’t have a yard, you can make your own compost smoothie to put in your plants. Just keep your compost items in a container until you’re ready to use them. Then add about a third of the compost materials to a blender and fill the rest with water. After blending, add the mixture to the dirt around your plants!

4. How can I dispose of my electronics and other household goods?

There are a few ways you can dispose of your electronics. The most common way people choose is Best Buy or other large retailers. You can look up stores in your area that have these services. You can also find drop off sites for electronics and smaller appliances by looking at your county’s website—some might just have a fee attached to dropping them off.

4 Ways to Dispose of your Waste