Climate change and global warming pose threats to the planet for future generations but we can help limit damage to the earth by reducing the amount of natural resources we consume. By choosing to reduce, reuse, or recycle the packaging and products you use on a daily basis, you can decrease your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

Most people are aware of ways to recycle plastics, paper, aluminum cans, and glass bottles, but did you know that many other materials can be given new life through recycling?

Other recyclable materials:

• Electronics – Give your old printer, cell phone, or digital music player a new lease on life and keep it out of a landfill.
• Automotive Waste – Do you change your own oil? Call the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Used Oil Hotline at (617) 556-1022 to find an oil collection center near you.
• Batteries – The chemicals in batteries can wreak havoc on the environment if not disposed of properly. To dispose of rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries (like the one in your laptop), call (800) 8-BATTERY to find the nearest Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation collection center.
• Tires – Don’t just toss your automobile’s old tires on the junk heap! Rubber from used tires can be turned into fuel or used in rubberized asphalt or playgrounds.

Can’t recycle it? Donate!

• Many organizations allow donations of reusable construction materials, electronics, household items, office supplies and more, so gather the items you no longer need and give them new life through donation! You can also sign up with freecycle.org to list any items you have that may be of use to someone else.

Compost: Turn last night’s scraps into next season’s fresh food:

• Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic materials; essentially it is recycling your food and yard waste. By composting at home, you reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, save money on soil costs by creating your own soil and fertilizer, and add nutrients to the soil which lead to robust and flourishing gardens.

Learn where to recycle in your community and discover where all of that recycled waste actually ends up.

Show us how you recycle by leaving a comment below or tweeting us @MassGov.

Tags: Boston, climate change, compost, conservation, donate, environment, global warming, oil, recycle, reduce, reuse