GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – As winter melts away and snowbanks finally disappear, many of us turn our attention to spring cleaning inside the house, but what about outside?
Spring is actually one of the most important times of the year to think about recycling and responsible disposal in our yards, garages, and outdoor spaces. Throughout the winter, items can pile up outside – broken lawn furniture, empty salt bags, broken shovels, old planters, and even yard debris. Instead of sending everything to the landfill, spring is a time when you can take the opportunity to sort through what can be reused, recycled, or composted.
One easy place to start is with yard waste. Yard clippings small branches, and even leaves can often be composted or brought to local yard waste recycling sites. Many communities can turn this material into mulch or nutrient-rich compost that can be beneficial in gardens or even landscaping.
Sustainably Speaking: Bipartisan law launches study on nuclear energy’s Wisconsin future
Another common spring cleanup item is plastic gardening pots and containers. Not all curbside recycling programs accept them, many gardening and recycling facilities do have collection programs that can give them a second life.
Don’t forget about metal items, though. Old grills, rusted tools and broken patio furniture are often made of aluminum or steel, which are highly recyclable materials.
Spring can also be a good time to dispose of hazardous outdoor materials. This can include pesticides, fertilizers, and motor oil from lawn equipment. These should never go into household trash cans, as they can contaminate soil as well as waterways if thrown out improperly.
Taking a bit of extra time this spring when you begin your cleaning process can make a big difference – keeping waste out of landfills and protecting the environment as we head into a new season.
