I often, blindly, throw just about anything that is not soiled or hard plastic into my recycling bin, but how much of all that is really recyclable? According to author Nicky Scott of Chelsea Green Guide: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, not nearly as much as I thought. For example, potato chip bags can not be recycled; neither can cork. On the other hand, everything from old freezers and CDs to every type of plastic and glass can be reused even before needing to be recycled.

“From old cell phones and E-waste to expired medicines and motor oil this little guide shows you where you can send your unwanted items and how you might make a bit of money while you’re at it,” says Chelsea Publishing’s website. Along with an A-to-Z guide on ways to reduce, reuse and recycle every item in the average home or office, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle also features short chapters on how to furthur incorporate the first two R’s (reduce and reuse) instead of depending on being able to recycle all you buy.

One key element of reusing is composting, which is featured in detail in Chelsea Green Guide: Composting, also by by Nicky Scott. Some cities, like my current home San Francisco, accepts items for weekly composting in a green bin. Unfortunately, this process is not as popular in many other locations, so starting your own compost bin is likely on the agenda. Most people avoid starting or using a compost bin because they think it will … well … stink! There is a key to composting, which is often called “getting the mix right” - that means having the right mix of nitrogen-heavy (soft/wet) and carbon-heavy (dry/absorbent) items in the bin, along with how they are layered.

The Composting book gives all the details on which bin to pick (or build your own, if you have the space), how to get “the mix” right, advantages of worms, many uses for “finished” compost and more. Most importantly, the book also has an A-to-Z guide of what you should and shouldn’t put in your compost bin (food scraps - yes; glass - no). If you find your own composting efforts worthwhile, there is even a chapter on how to get your community (or at least nearby neighbors) involved.

For anyone, anywhere looking to “go green”, these two books are must-haves. I’ll be paying closer attention to my additions to the apartment building’s blue bins. In addition, I’ll be more careful about what I buy in order to both reDUCE and reCYCLE. How about you?

NOTE: Make sure to check out my previous Chelsea Green Guides review!