Recycling

• April-November you can put any branches and brush on the curb and it will be collected. Also, any yard waste that is in a bag or container and placed on the curb will be collected. 
• Starting October 14th, leaf collection is available. This means that piles of leaves can be left on the street and they will be collected. Also during this time, any garden debris or weeds can be placed on top of the leaves and be collected.
• Never brush grass clippings into the street! Simply leave them on your grass to decompose and help the soil. 

plastic bags - including but not limited to grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, product plastic wrapping (when marked), cereal bags, bubble wrap, and plastic shipping packages - can be dropped off at various locations to be recycled. In Whitefish Bay these locations include Kohls and Sendiks, however a full list is available by zip-code here: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location/.

Dropping off bags doesn't have to be a frequent thing either. Instead, choose one plastic bag, hang it up somewhere in your house, and put any plastic bags or wrapping in it to collect over the year. This way you have your own separate plastic garbage bag that you can drop off once it gets full. See photo for example:

Terracycle - https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/

Terracycle is a brand that finds recycling solutions for people all over the world. One of their coolest features are their "zero waste boxes". They are boxes that you can buy to fill with waste, send back to them, and they will recycle them. The boxes are meant for homes or offices where people throw away the same items in bulk, when they could be recycled instead. They have them for all types of items such as pens/pencils, #6 plastic cups, disposable gloves, coffee capsules, safety equipment (this would be great amid the pandemic), and more!

Zero Waste Boxes: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/zero_waste_boxes

A lot of stores have trade-in programs you can trade in old phones. You can get money off your new phone, and they will recycle your old phone and use the parts or sell it used. There are options to do this with old computers and other technology as well, not just phones. This is a great way to recycle/repurpose your technology and keep phones and electronics out of the trash. The Wisconsin Humane society also accepts cell phones and they get money for any phones you donate.

If you already have a compost system in your household, then congrats to you! Keep up the good work. Also, consider opening up your bin(s) to members of the community who wish to share: https://sharewaste.com/share-waste

 If you don't compost yet, here are some options for how you can compost:

1.  start your own system:

Composting is super beneficial, and with your own system, you can deposit food scraps and biodegradable items in your own backyard, and get healthy mulch in return to use for your lawn or garden. There are a few options that are as simple as just having a pile in your backyard (no container necessary), to more complicated but still easy options, such as just using an old bin or bucket you already have or purchasing a tumbler composter which speeds up the process. 

Now that you know just how easy it is to start composting, learn how exactly to tend it and get it started here: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/composting/

2. use an already established one:

Share Waste: connects neighbors who will accept scraps in their bins https://sharewaste.com/share-waste

* Ask neighbors or friends who already have compost bins if they have some extra room!

Compost Crusader: is a service that offers curbside compost pickup. They provide a bin similar to a regular trash or recycling bin, and you can add your food scraps to it to be picked up. Their services start at less than five dollars a week so they are affordable too! You can even get your neighbors involved and share a bin (and the price). 

https://www.compostcrusader.com/residential/

Kompost Kids: is a group in the North Shore that works to create community compost bins and has volunteers that help divert waste from landfills and process the compost in the bins. They also have great resources about how to set up your own compost, what you can and cannot compost, and more. Learn more about them and their bins: 

https://kompostkids.org/composting/compost-sites/

Curby Composter: is another curbside composting service. They collect most food scraps and compostable items in 5 gallon containers that you can leave out on your curb for pickup. They are also affordable and are priced by month. 

https://curbyscompost.com/

While traditional composting takes heat, time, and space, there is another version, vermicomposting, that can be done indoors and with less work. Vermicomposting is the use of worms in a container to compost small amounts of kitchen waste. This method does not have a smell, takes up less space, and is quicker than normal composting. It is a great option for people who do not have a lot of space outdoors, or who don't produce as much waste. The mulch it produces is still nutrient rich and can be used in the same way as traditional compost mulch. 

A complete guide and comparison can be found here: 

https://thrivingyard.com/vermicompost-vs-compost/