A lot of trash management happens at the local level, with city, state, and county governments handling pickup, processing, and more. Meanwhile, some areas are trying to change how they do things.
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A full-on closet cleanout can take an entire day or even a whole weekend. But for those of us looking to give our clothes a second life, there’s plenty of money to be made by doing so.
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The more we recycle clothes, electronics, furniture, and other products, the less energy we spend producing new things. It also means fewer items being sent to landfills. Plus, trade-in programs are an excellent way to save money on new purchases. It’s a win-win-win.
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A little over 70% of all Americans have curbside recycling access, but should that number be 100%? It presents logistical challenges in some areas, but universal recycling could save a lot of waste from our country’s landfills.
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Electronics contain valuable metals like gold and copper, and toxic metals like lead and mercury. Properly recycling electronics keeps valuable materials from being wasted and toxic materials from harming people and the environment.
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New research could lead to phone batteries that essentially never need to be charged. But with charging technology also getting so advanced, how much would a phone like that really be worth?
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A first-of-its-kind law in Massachusetts makes it illegal to throw out old clothes and fabrics, requiring residents to recycle or donate them instead. Officials are trying to reduce the 81 pounds of textiles that Americans throw away on average each year — but critics say the law goes too far.
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Americans throw out over 2 million small appliances each year, and less than 6% of them ever get recycled. Still, should the government have the right to step in to control our trash?
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A first-of-its-kind law in Massachusetts makes it illegal to throw out old clothes and fabrics, requiring residents to recycle or donate them instead. Officials are trying to reduce the 81 pounds of textiles that Americans throw away on average each year — but critics say the law goes too far.
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Read inspiring stories about people building a more sustainable future
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