Whoa: Environment Protection Breakthrough

As of February 2006, residence of California are required to recycle common household items that are deemed hazardous to people and the environment. Households and small businesses had been granted a four year exemption which ended Feb 9, 2006.
Press Release
Since Feb 9, 2006 residents of California may not toss any universal waste products in the trash under the law. Failure to properly dispose of any universal waste product pursuant to the law may subject the resident to fines and penalties.
zerowaste.ca.gov

[ Throwing away a single aluminum can, versus recycling it, is like pouring out six ounces of gasoline ]

In 1999, when I moved here, I was very much shocked about the fact that all trash goes in one and the same bin! Where I come from each household has at least three different garbage containers. #1 for organic garbage; #2 for so called "green dot" material (material marked with a recycling symbol - translated as green dot); #3 for all remaining trash that cannot be assigned to a certain "trash category". Moreover, paper of all kinds have to be disposed separately; glass and aluminum cans can be returned to the store for a fair refund (money which ones pays on top of the actual purchase price first - around 50 cents per item). And of course all the trash which belongs into the hazardous category needs to be disposed at certain locations. Some cities even make residents pay for the weight of trash they produce. (Weighing trash at pick-up via micro chips placed on the garbage container).

After I have been been drilled in waste separation for the last 15 to 20 years, you may now be able to imagine that it has been terrifying for me to just toss all trash in one container: Organic leftovers go with batteries, plastic, and medication in one huge pool...

[ Every Sunday 500,000 trees could be saved if everyone recycled their newspapers ]

In Germany, the most important rule is: Don't bring home "garbage" in the first place: People leave certain packaging material already in the stores; whereas the stores have to provide according waste bins. Consumer bring boxes, fabric bags or may even reuse plastic bags to carry groceries home. Stores provide plastic bags for a price of 25 cents per piece, so you better bring some kind of container to get your stuff home...

Why Recycle and Statistics
[ You could watch more than two and half hours of television programming with the energy saved from recycling one
aluminum can ]

Although I think the whole recycling topic is way overdone in my country, I am glad that people here start putting more emphasis on the environmental protection. To be honest, the very little things can already make a huge difference. And it is really time to start protecting and to stop unnecessary damaging.

What you can do:
1. Separate hazardous waste from the rest (Batteries, computer monitors, cell phones, television, fluorescent light bulbs, material/objects contain mercury, radios, video cassette recorder, microwave ovens contain lead, cadmium, chromium, and copper.
2. Try to avoid producing trash by reusing plastic bags.
3. Separate waste if according containers are provided - Recycling programs have been started in many locations (e.g. at college, Whole Foods Market, - check your companies)
4. Recycle (see list for materials that can be used for recycling: What to recycle
5. Buy recycled
6. Making every day earth day! Stay informed and up to date

Related links:
Earth 911 Very informative site
Environmental Services Santa Clarita
Where to recycle [ search by zip code ]