Category: Recycling
Ditching the Numbers
Posted on: February 8, 2019
Updated: 6/2/21 As recyclers, we’ve been trained to look for that number inside the arrows chasing each other around on the bottom of our plastic. If there’s a number there, and that number matches a number on the recycling guidelines, we’re good for throwing that item in our recycling. But that thinking, while it seems... Continue reading
Granger Partners with Able Eyes for 360 Virtual Tours of Lansing Facilities
Posted on: November 9, 2018
Generally speaking, the more information we have, the better we feel about new experiences. And for that reason, among others, we’re really excited about a resource that’s now available for Granger customers. In October of 2018, we met with the co-founder of Able Eyes to film a virtual 360 tour of our Disposal Center of... Continue reading
Don’t Be a Wishcycler! Recycle Right!
Posted on: October 12, 2018
Here’s a term you may have never heard before: “wishcycling.” We’ll use it in a sentence. “Wishcycling has become a huge problem for the recycling industry.” Wishcycling is a catchy phrase that seems to have been coined by the president of a recycling company in Minnesota, and what it means is putting items in your... Continue reading
When Light Bulbs Burn Out: Recycle or Toss?
Posted on: September 28, 2018
Light bulbs are a necessary part of our daily lives. Though new technology means light bulbs are lasting longer, we all occasionally hear that familiar pop when flipping the switch. And with all the different types of bulbs out there now, it can be confusing to know what to do with them when they reach... Continue reading
Back to the Basics: Materials That Can Usually Be Recycled
Posted on: September 7, 2018
One of the challenges with recycling is that guidelines can vary in different areas and even in the same area from waste hauler to waste hauler. What haulers and municipalities accept is usually based on the requirements imposed on them by the processing facility their recycling goes to. In an ideal world, we’d have standardization... Continue reading
Recycling Right Matters
Posted on: July 19, 2018
We’ve all seen it. We visit a Recycling Drop-off and notice items in the container that don’t belong. Some of them are blatant. Materials that are clearly trash are sitting in the container. Others are less obvious, such as a cardboard box that still contains plastic bags or polystyrene used to package the things inside.... Continue reading
Big Cleanup? Granger’s Here to Help
Posted on: April 13, 2018
Getting ready to do a big spring (or any time of the year) cleaning? It’s a daunting task, but Granger can help. Here are some things to remember if you’re cleaning out a garage, attic or basement (or all of the above). Reuse/Recycling Rather than tossing that stuff in the trash, consider the options you... Continue reading
Recycling Isn’t Magic. It’s Business.
Posted on: February 22, 2018
Recycling is one of those things we do that’s become kind of mystical in its significance. We know it’s good for the environment—it saves energy, helps preserve natural resources and decreases waste. All those completely justified warm and fuzzy feelings make it easy to forget that recycling is also a business and practical business concerns... Continue reading
Ask Curby: What Should I Do with Old Electronics?
Posted on: January 4, 2018
Dear Captain CurbySM: I have a lot of electronic items I don’t want anymore like old cell phones and computer keyboards. Is it ok to throw these away? Bill N. Holt Dear Bill: Thanks for asking! If these are from your home, there’s nothing to prohibit you from throwing electronics in with your trash if... Continue reading
Rinsing Recyclables: Is It Worth It?
Posted on: October 19, 2017
It’s a pretty common best practice to rinse that plastic tub or aluminum can before you toss it in your recycling cart, but some question if it’s really necessary. At Granger, we ask you to rinse bottles, jugs and tubs, and here are a few reasons why: Residue or liquids left in containers can contaminate... Continue reading
What to Do with Old Batteries
Posted on: September 22, 2017
Updated: 8/4/21 Batteries—we use them for everything from cell phones to flashlights. They don’t last forever, though. There are so many types, and it’s hard to know what to do with them. Luckily, we can help. Keep reading. Single-Use Household Alkaline (AA, AAA, 9-volt, etc.) Thanks to the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996,... Continue reading
What Happens When You Don’t Break Down Cardboard
Posted on: July 27, 2017
Picture this: You’re getting ready to take your recycling to the drop-off center. You want to recycle in the most environmentally friendly way possible, so you’ve saved your recycling up in your garage for several weeks. Now you’re taking the opportunity to recycle it on your way to an appointment, when you’re going to drive right... Continue reading
How to Start an Office Recycling Program
Posted on: January 19, 2017
Updated: 5/25/21 What do these items–plastic water bottle, magazine, window envelope and soup can—have in common? First of all, you probably have each of these items somewhere in your office. But more importantly, all of these items can be recycled in an office recycling program. You’re doing a great job of recycling at home. You’ve... Continue reading
Where in the World Does Your Recycling Go? (Part 2)
Posted on: September 1, 2016
When last we left your recycling, it was on a truck headed away from Granger. The next part of the process is where all the magic happens—where that water bottle, piece of paper or cardboard box becomes something brand new. Recommended Read: Where in the World Does Your Recycling Go? (Part 1) It’s always our goal... Continue reading
Where in the World Does Your Recycling Go? (Part 1)
Posted on: August 24, 2016
If you’re a committed recycler, you probably spend a lot of time and effort on your recycling. You have the routine down—empty, rinse, repeat. You nag your kids when you see them throwing something away that can go in the recycling. (Or maybe they nag you.) If you’re taking your recycling to a drop-off center... Continue reading