In most places, recycling has become easier than ever. There are many districts that come and pick recycling up from your curb just like they do garbage. In every district, there is a center available to drop your recycling at. 

This easy access to recycling resources has made recycling more popular and widely spread than ever. However, that means that there is more confusion about what exactly can be recycled. Recycling and garbage look the exact same because they often are.

Knowing which items you use can be recycled will help you start to protect the planet in a small, easy way. Waste management plays a huge part in saving our planet as well. Once you learn how to identify recyclables it will become much easier to recycle and control your waste. Here are a few ways to tell if your garbage is recyclable or not. 

1. Check With Your Town

The first step to finding out what you can recycle is to look into what your townships recycling center allows. This will tell you the things you need to start putting aside as recycling and the things that can remain garbage. It can also help you locate the nearest recycling drop off to you.

Most counties will have one or two places you can drop off your recycling. It will tell you what types of recycling can be dropped off there and have designated bins for each type of recycling. This will help you know where to put all of your recycling and how it should be organized.

Your county also might pick recycling up from your curb the way they do garbage. If that is the case, you should be able to find what you are allowed to put in those county-owned bins and what needs to be thrown away. Checking with your town for recycling resources in your area is the best way to get started.

2. Plastic is Usually a Recyclable Garbage

Plastic is probably the most confusing recyclable because it is not always recyclable. Depending on the number on the plastic it might still need to be thrown away. Usually, plastic numbers one through seven are recyclable but that might change depending on your county. 

The number of your plastic will be stamped somewhere on the item inside a recycling symbol. If that number is one that your nearest center recycles then that piece of plastic should be recycled. If the number is not one accepted by your county then it should be thrown away or recycled in a county that accepts that number. 

You will likely find that most of the plastic, if not all of the plastic, that you use can be recycled. Putting numbers into your recycling that are not accepted will make the process of sorting through your recycling at the center much more difficult and time-consuming. It is important you comply with the recycling rules your county has put in place to make the recycling system run smoothly.

3. Aluminum, Tin, and Steel Are All Recyclable

Aluminum, tin, and steel are pretty much always recyclable. This includes soda cans, tin foil, and steel cans. Things like that, which are used every day, can be recycled and cut down on your footprint significantly. 

4. Food Can Be Composted

Food is recyclable through composting. It should never be put in your recycling bins. This includes the items that you are allowed to recycle. 

It is important you rinse off all of the items you are recycling before you recycle them. This keeps them clean and helps prevent the food rotting while your items wait to be recycled. You may choose to compost, but do not recycle food along with your recycling.

5. Paper Products Are Recyclable

Pretty much everything made from paper products is recyclable. This includes cartons, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, books, and loose paper. As long as the item is not covered in food it can be recycled and re-used.

It is best to recycle all of your paper products. This will significantly decrease the amount of waste you are putting into the world. The number of paper products you use will become apparent as soon as you begin recycling. 

6. When In Doubt, Throw it Out

One of the main rules you will hear about recycling is “when in doubt, throw it out”. This is a good rule of thumb for everyone who recycles. If you are not sure you are allowed to recycle it and you can’t find any information on it then it is best to throw that item away.

Many items that people are not sure about are products that are not recyclable. If you send a non-recyclable product to a recycling plant it runs the risk of slowing down the whole system. For instance, plastic bags are not recyclable and often jam up recycling machines that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

If you are not sure it should be recycled then do not recycle it. This might produce one or two extra pieces of garbage, but it is much more likely that the item was not recyclable anyway. When in doubt, throw it out is the best way to go about recycling once you know the general products that can always be recycled.

7. Glass Is Also Usually Recyclable

Glass is recyclable. It is also being taken off most counties lists for products you can put in their recycling bins. Many counties will now have designated places you can take your glass to be recycled.

The reason for this is because it is expensive to recycle glass. There are different colors of glass that must be melted down to create a new product. This is a lengthy and expensive process that many places are not willing to undertake at this time.

This does not mean you should not recycle your glass. There is likely a place near you that will accept at least some types of glass. Do not throw away your glass unless you are sure there is no place that will take it or you are unwilling to go that far out of your way to recycle.

Recycle At Your Home

Recycling is not as confusing as it can first appear. Often the items that should be recycled are obvious and easy to remember. Once you learn to know the differences between recycling and trash you will be able to easily sort out all of the recycling you had been throwing away. 

Congratulations on your new apartment! It’s exciting to move into a new space. And fun to make it your own!

Whether moving to a Chicago apartment from across the country or relocating to a new apartment just down the road, there is a lot to think about when moving. Unpacking and decorating might be your focus and can be time-consuming. But what about taking steps to ensure your new home stays clean?

Developing good habits early and having quality cleaning supplies and equipment will help you keep your place neat. Hiring a cleaning service is always a great idea.And thoughtfully setting up your apartment to stay organized will keep it tidy.If you like getting things done yourself then follow these tips to set yourself up for cleanliness success.

1. Staying Organized Will Help Keep Your Apartment Clean

Make sure everything has a place in your apartment. It will make it easier to put items away if they have a designated home. And it will keep your home from becoming cluttered.

Hang hooks for coats and create storage for keys and phones. Bins and baskets are great options for organizing small items. And use storage solutions to get the most use out of closets and cabinets.

Shop for pieces of furniture that double as storage to save space. Look for a coffee table with a removable top to stash throws. A bench with a hinged top is a perfect space to store shoes. You want to balance function and style when choosing your furniture. 

2. Follow a Cleaning Schedule To Keep Your Apartment Clean

Find a cleaning schedule that works for your space and lifestyle. It will help keep you accountable and organized. And will ensure that an area or task isn’t overlooked.

The schedule will help you decide on the frequency of doing certain chores. Some should be done daily, like cleaning the kitchen. While dusting furniture can be done weekly. 

Try a few schedules out and find what works best for you. You may find that you prefer vacuuming more frequently. Or that your mirrors stay clean longer than the schedule suggests. Once you get into a routine, you can tweak the schedule to fit your lifestyle.

3. Find Effective Cleaning Supplies You Love and Work For Your Apartment

Take your time to find some cleaning supplies you love. Aim for scents that make you happy and lift your mood. It will make your apartment smell great, and you will enjoy cleaning more. 

There are countless cleaning supply brands on the market. So it may take some time to find the best ones for you. Take your time and be patient as you test different products. 

A good multi-surface cleaner will be your best friend. It can be used to clean everything from the kitchen to the bathroom. You will also want to look for cleaners you love for specific purposes like toilets, flooring, and glass. 

Consider making your own cleaning supplies. You can customize the scents, and it will save you some cash. Solutions can be made from simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oil to clean everything from carpet to stainless steel. 

4. Invest in Cleaning Equipment To Keep Your Apt Clean

Take the time to build an arsenal of great cleaning equipment. High-quality cleaning tools are a good investment. They will last longer and get your apartment cleaner. 

Shop around to find a vacuum that you love. This will be by far your most important cleaning tool, especially if you have pets. Read reviews for features specific vacuums offer like attachments that can get to hard to reach places. You’ll want to consider the type of flooring in your apartment and how well the vacuum performs on that surface.

You’ll also want to find an awesome duster. It will be useful in cleaning everything from vents to ceiling fans. Look for a duster with a telescopic handle, and that has a removable and washable cover. 

If you can afford them, a washer and dryer is a wise investment. Not only will you have the convenience of doing laundry at home, but it will save you laundromat costs in the long run. Ideally, you want to purchase units that are energy efficient to save on energy costs too. Make sure to research brands well, and measure your laundry space.

5. Be Proactive 

Take ongoing steps to keep your home cleaner. Have a routine in place that minimizes the dirt that enters your home. And make an effort to clean throughout your day so nothing ever gets too piled up.

Have a no-shoe rule in your home. The amount of dirt tracked in on shoes is enormous, especially if you have guests. Have a designated space near your main entry to store shoes.

Make a habit of putting away items as you go. Hang up your coat when you come in the door. Put shoes away when you take them off and make sure your dirty clothes make it into the hamper. Making tidying up part of your routine will keep your space neat and make cleaning quicker.

6. Adopt a Daily Apartment Cleaning Routine 

A daily cleaning routine is your best bet for maintaining neatness. A checklist of quick tasks is manageable. And it will go a long way in keeping up with your cleaning. 

First thing in the morning, make your bed. It’s a positive way to start your day by accomplishing something. And you’ll be more relaxed getting into a neatly made bed at the end of a long day.

Laundry is one of the most common chores to fall behind on. Make an effort to do a load of laundry completely each day. Throw it in the washer in the morning, then dry it and put it all away in the evening. You’ll feel satisfied when it’s done, and your hamper is not overflowing. 

Each night, tidy up your kitchen before bed. Make sure your dishes are all clean, and the sink is rinsed. Wipe down your counters and appliances. It is refreshing to walk into a clean kitchen each morning. 

Clean Your Apartment!

Be patient in finding a routine works best for you. Discovering the best cleaning products and tools may take time. But be diligent about your schedule and daily habits to stay on top of keeping your space clean.

Once you find your stride, keeping your place clean will be a breeze. You might actually find that you enjoy cleaning. And you’ll have a shiny new apartment to be proud of.

Moving to a new apartment can be a difficult time for the whole family. There are lots of plans to be made and things you need to have ready before you can move. In all of the bustle, it can be easy to forget to talk to your child about the move.

Going to a new place to live is hard for a child. Especially if they have never had to move before. Getting used to a new apartment is difficult and can be overwhelming even for adults.

Making your child feel at home in a new place is the best way to make the move easier on them and on you. It can be very scary finding how things work in a new place and knowing how to introduce a child to their environment is a good way to make them feel more at home. Here are five ways to make kids feel more at home in a new apartment. 

1. Focus on What is New About the New Apartment

It is likely that your new apartment will have features and things near it that your old apartment did not. Make sure those cool new things are what you focus on. Focusing on what you are leaving behind is not a good way to make your child excited to go to a new place.

Making your new apartment seem like an amazing upgrade is the best way to get a child excited about a move. If they are waiting to see their great new room or visit all the new close restaurants then they will not be as focused on what they are leaving. Keeping the attention on the great things about your move will keep you and your children excited.

A move is hard because it requires leaving the things and places you are used to. If you make it seem like the new apartment is going to be just as good or better then your children will be more excited about the upcoming move. Keeping everything positive is the best way to keep your children excited.

2. Help Make it Seem Familiar To Your Kids

Sleeping in a new room can be difficult and frightening for a child. They do not know the new noises or the layout of the apartment as well. New sounds and places are weird and frightening.

Make sure you bring things that make the apartment feel safe and like home. If your child has a night light that is familiar to them then make sure that is something you have with you the first night at the new apartment. Bring the bedding and toys they are used to having so their room can immediately feel safe and known. 

A new place is scary enough without having any of the things that make them feel at home. Making sure to bring a few items for the first night to make their room feel familiar is a great way to make your child more comfortable in their new home. 

3. Let Your Kids Decorate The New Apartment

Tell your child before you move that they are going to get to decorate their new space. Let them start looking at new blankets and maybe paint swatches to decide how they want their room to look. If your child is excited to make the new room all theirs then they will be less focused on the room they are leaving.

Getting them to decorate the new room also gives them a project for when you first move in. While you are unpacking and figuring out where everything needs to go your child can be busy decorating their new room. It keeps them entertained and lets them form a relationship with their new home.

Putting up fairy lights or posters to make their new room feel like it is all theirs is one of the best ways to make your child feel comfortable. It adds something exciting to the move and also allows them to do what they need to feel at home. Decorating their own room is a great way to help a kid feel at home in a new place.

4. Explore the New Apartment with Your Kids

If you are moving to an apartment in a new city or a different part of town exploring the area is a great way to help your child feel at home. Knowing where they will be going to school and how to get to the park or to your work will help them make a map of their new home. It also makes the whole area easier to identify if they do get lost.

Exploring the apartment building itself will also help make them feel at home. Is there a dog park they can go to and see puppies? Is there a pool or a cool room with a lounge for them to relax on if they don’t feel like sitting in the apartment? 

Making sure your child knows the layout of your new apartment building will keep them from getting lost and also make the area feel more like home. It is hard to be nervous about a new place when you know where everything is and all the places you can go to have fun. Exploring the building and surrounding area with your child is a great way to help them relax and feel at home.

5. Talk to Your Kids About The New Apartment

Discussing the move with your child is a great way to help them prepare and understand what is happening. If you are moving for a specific reason make sure they know what that reason is and why it requires a move. If they feel included and informed they will accept the move more easily.

A child who feels consulted and included in the decision-making process is more likely to settle into their new home. They will understand why the move was necessary and be on board with the process because they understand. Keeping your child informed and involved in the move will make them feel like they are part of it and like their new home is an important step for the family.

Your child understands what a move is and making sure they understand the purpose behind it will help them. Tell them about the new building and area, make sure they know what to expect. A child who knows what is going on is going to settle much quicker than a child who feels moves for no reason.

Get Your Kids Settled In Your New Apartment

Moving to a new apartment is a big deal for the entire family. The process of moving can be stressful and expensive while the new apartment is strange and new. Making your child feel more comfortable in their new home is the best way to keep the move easy on them.

Prepare them for the move by talking to them about it beforehand. Make sure the new apartment immediately feels like home by bringing a few of their things for the first night. Also, make sure they get excited about the move by making them part of the process and showing them the cool new area.

Making your child feel as comfortable as they can be in their new home is the best way to keep the move smooth and stress-free for all parties. Keeping the move exciting and simple for them is the best way to help them feel like it is not a big deal. Those are just a few of the ways to make your kid feel more at home in a new apartment.