The 3 R's : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I live in a small country town pretty close to a major city that is probably in the bottom 25% in terms of concern for recycling or the environment in general. This makes it pretty hard to find options, like in my old home town, to reduce waste. There are no places within a hundred miles where I can refill soap/detergent, for example. Where I can buy in bulk, they tend to carry things like bulk chocolate pretzels, not bulk basics. The grocery stores around here are utterly packaging-mad. Yes, farmers' markets are a source for buy some items, and I've been fighting the good fight at the grocery store at least when it comes to bags (suddenly, in one nearby community I'm seeing more reusable bags than single use - yay!), but I'm wondering how some of you folks in similar communities might be coping? For example, I know I could special-order some things in bulk, but then I don't have any place to store mass quantities, and the shipping costs are pretty crazy. Right now, I'm settling for being able to finally buy super-concentrated detergent that'll do 100 loads (which I can stretch to 150-200 since you don't generally need the full amount) per bottle, and some similar workarounds. But seriously, I look at all the plastic (*NO* recycling available within 2 counties in any direction!!!) and crap we go through and just want to bang my forehead into the wall! Ideas? Resources? Please? I'm in the Texas Hill Country, if any of you have ideas specific to the area.

Hello everyone. I have just launched a new website about environmental issues from dangers of deodorant to energy use to toxic living. I really need objective opinions and critiques on how to improve the site. Do you find the content interesting, does it catch you attention, would you want to see something else there? I'm still working on it and updating it. This is very important to me, so please guys, if you have time take a look and tell me what you think. I am new to building websites. http://www.downwithbasics.com
(moderators, if you find this post inappropriate, by all means, delete it. I just thought that this would be the right type of community to ask for opinions on the subject environment. I am sorry if I have misread the rules).

crossposted in other communities

Are bottle tops recyclable? If they are, do they have to be recycled separately?

Thanks.

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and please comment if you are forwarding the message because we would like to keep track of how many emails are being sent to the senators. thanks!!!

(cross-posted)

Okay, everyone, here's your chance: what are your favorite/ most informative recycling related links out there? I'm doing a website on recycling for my senior thesis (which is due, uh, tomorrow), and if anyone has anything they think just has to be put on the site, I'd love it if you'd tell me.

I'm especially looking for:
•Pages detailing what is and isn't recyclable. Something to help the newbies out.
•Myths, facts, and tips about recycling, reusing, and conservation
•I know this is a little weird, but games, activities, and quizzes. I figure to you know, make it interesting

Thank you! Remember, in return, you get to see my site when I'm finished.

Also, this is cool: Find your Ecological Footprint! Mine is 15 acres. What's yours?

We've finally decided to replace our old mattress. It's getting very uncomfortable, the springs are sticking into us. Last time I needed to get rid of a mattress it was in better condition than this one, so I gave it to a charity shop. I doubt if anyone would want to sleep on this one, but I don't like the idea of it just going into a landfill site. Does anyone know of a way to recycle a mattress that's not comfortable enough to sleep on any more?

... is me recyling in poland! these recycling bins were in the grounds of a warsaw football team's stadium.

needless to say their recycling is very poor but look how clean their banks are!

i'm looking for some ways to use up candlewax that is left over after the wick has burned most of the way down. any ideas would be much appreciated.....including any simple "recipes" for recreating candles from them.

x-posted to [info]the3rs and [info]green_future and [info]naturalliving

Not that we didn't already know this, but a concise message, fit to be passed on to those who are less aware.

hi, i'm new here.

and i have a question. i just got a new stereo installed in my car, and they left me with the factory-installed am/fm deck. what should i do with it??? i don't want to thow it in the trash, but i don't really see the thrift store keeping it. since it has no cassette or cd, i can't see anyone else wanting it. any ideas?