TRUE BLUE Living
Recycle & Reuse
INSTEAD OF THROWING AWAY SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Humans are the only animals who create mountains and oceans full of waste.
- Each person in the U.S. created on average 4.9 pounds of municipal solid waste EVERY DAY!
(EPA, 2018)
Over the past 7 decades, plastic production has increased 24,350%. That is a lot of plastic!!
- Plastic production has increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 367 million tons in 2020.
- 20 companies produce ½ of the world’s plastics. (Foley, 2023)
- The largest plastic producer is Exxon Mobil. (Foley, 2023)
Recycling materials and reusing materials are the best ways to keep waste out of landfills.
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
RECYCLING
Glass can be successfully recycled.
In Sweden, over 95% of glass is recycled, BUT the U.S. recycles only 31% of glass products.
Michigan and other states with bottle deposits have a higher rate of recycling.
Paper can be successfully recycled.
Between 66-68% of paper is recycled in the U.S.
Plastic CAN NOT BE effectively and safely recycled
(Enck and Dell, 2022)
Only 5% of plastic is recycled into new products by American companies.
The EPA estimates 92% of plastic produced still exists somewhere and in some form. (Foley,2023)
Plastics break into smaller pieces and end up in our lakes, streams, drinking water and the ocean.
Some plastic waste is incinerated as a low-quality fuel, which releases carbon dioxide adding to global warming. The rest ends up in landfills and illegally dumped as litter.
Image: EPA Waste Management of Plastics
Why is our plastic recycling rate so low?
- According to the oil industry, recycling plastics is not economical. Currently, it is cheaper to make new plastic than to improve the processes for collecting, sorting, transporting and reprocessing plastics.
- There are thousands of different plastics, so each type requires a different recycling process.
- Plastic is flammable; recycling plastic plants are prone to fires.
- Plastic is toxic; it acts like a sponge and soaks up toxic chemicals.
What are the benefits of recycling & reusing?
Benefits to You
- Saves money on trash removal costs
- Protects your health by removing toxins from your home
Benefits to Your Water
- Protects your drinking water by reducing toxins from entering landfills
- Reduces amount of microplastics in the environment
Benefits to Your Watershed
- Keeps forests from turning into landfills as old ones fill up
- Reduces amount of land used constructing petrochemical plants
What can you do?
Step 1. Take stock of plastics in your home.
Step 2. Choose reusable products rather than single-use plastic items.
Purchase new reusable items and keep them handy when you go out. Start with one item. Use it a few weeks, until it becomes a habit. Then, add another alternative to your life.
Inside Your Home: Bathroom
| Single-Use Plastic Item | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Deodorant in plastic holder | Underarm Deodorant in Cardboard Holder |
| Toothpaste Plastic Tubes | Toothpowder or Toothpaste Tablets in Glass Jar |
| Plastic Toothbrush | Bamboo toothbrush* |
| Dental floss | Silk floss in Glass Jar |
| Plastic comb | Bamboo Comb |
| Plastic brush | Bamboo Brush |
| Shampoo in plastic bottle | Shampoo bars |
| Conditioner in plastic bottle | Conditioner bars |
| Hand soap liquid in plastic bottle | Soap bars* |
| Body wash in plastic bottle | Soap bars* |
| Trash can liners | Paper bags |
Photo: Meg Narwold
Photo: Meg Narwold
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Inside Your Home: Kitchen
| Single-Use Plastic Item | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Plastic Wrap | Wax paper Beeswax cloth covers * Cloth bowl covers Glass containers & reusable lids |
| Plastic Storage Bags | Stainless steel or glass reusable container Waxed paper envelopes |
| Plastic Cutlery | Bamboo Cutlery * |
| Plastic Plates | Paper/Bamboo Plates |
| Plastic Straws | Stainless steel straws */ Paper straws |
| Plastic Dish cleaning Brush | Bamboo Pot scrubber Brush |
| Polyester Nonbiodegradable Sponges | Crochet yarn dishcloth Swedish reusable dishcloth |
Photos: Meg Narwold
Inside Your Home: Laundry Room
| Single-Use Plastic Item | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Laundry Detergent Liquid in plastic container | Laundry Detergent Sheets Reusable Plastic bottle with dry detergent refill |
| Fabric softeners-liquid in plastic bottle or dryer sheets | Wool dryer balls* |
| Spot cleaner in plastic bottle | Stain Bar |
Photo: Northern Blessing Alpaca Farm
Outside Your Home: Grocery Store
| Single-Use Plastic Item | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Plastic Grocery Bags | Bring your own Cloth Bag* Ask for Paper Bag |
| Plastic Produce Bags | Bring your own Cloth Bag* |
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Outside Your Home: Restaurant/Take Out
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
| Single-Use Plastic Item | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Plastic Take home bag | Bring own Cloth bag* |
| Plastic Food container | Bring own glass, stainless steel or reuse a plastic container |
| Plastic Water bottle | Refillable metal water bottle* |
Step 3. *Purchase reusable products at TRUE BLUE Gallery in Alden, MI
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Step 4. Recycle plastic items you do have.
The American Waste Plastic Recycling Machine in Traverse City is advanced and can handle many plastic items other areas cannot:
- All plastics #1-7
- Styrofoam- BUT NOT STYROFOAM PEANUTS.
- Grocery Bags
- Plastic Film/Wrap
- Plastic Ziplock Bags
- Dry Cleaning Bags
- Bread and Food Bags
Step 5. Each week take your recyclable waste to a location near you.
Please do not litter, dump trash or leave materials outside the bins.
- Alden- Helena Township Community Center
- Bellaire- South M88 near Antrim County Transportation Building
- Elk Rapids- South Bridge Street next to Municipal Building
- Kewadin- Old Milton Township Hall on Cairn Highway
Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Links & Sources
- Check out Antrim County Recycling.
- American Forest and Paper Association.com
- Enck, J. and Dell, J. 2022 Plastic Recycling Doesn’t Work and Will Never Work The Atlantic
- Foley, C. 2023 Microplastics in the Great Lakes: 2023 Ice Breaker Series. Tip of the Mitt.
- RecoveryWorldwide.com
- U.S. EPA Advancing Sustainable Materials Management Facts and Figures 2018
Don't just wish that Torch Lake will stay blue.
Choose a water-friendly lifestyle - make a difference!