This past week, we were able to spend a few days studying the concepts of Recycle, Reuse and Reduce.  I enjoyed talking with the children about our important role in assuring that we are not wasteful.  The library had many wonderful resources and books to help us study.  We ended our study with a great trip to the recycling center located at our base.  We learned so much!  This particular recycling center recycles anything with plastic or metal - anything!  They accept cars, washers, dryers, refrig (with chems removed), crockpots, lots more!  They will shred items for us - which is great, if you've ever had to sit down and shred for hours, like my husband and I have done in the past.  If there is sensitive material, the papers get locked in a vault and will be disposed of through proper channels.  Here are some pictures:

The boys holding their items to be recycled (minus the tractor!).

Bales of paper shreds - it will ship directly to paper producing plants.

Where everything gets dumped.  A large moving belt picks up the items and then they are moved upstairs, where individuals will sort through everything - and separate all the pieces. 

They will shred any glass bottles you can bring - any color - and give the mulch right back to you!  It is very pretty and people are starting to use it as mulch around shrubs and in gardens.  It will not cut anyone if it is touched - and it is actually very soft!  Strange, as tiny shards from a broken glass will cut.  This is another amazing 'invention'.

Here are can cubes.  Each cube is holding 900 cans and weighs 25 lbs!

The cubes are much smaller than one would think!

One question I asked was if they recycled household batteries, like AA.  The answer was No!  I couldn't believe that.  She said that they do not have enough acid within the batteries to harm the environment.  Growing up and even now as an adult, I have always heard to never throw away batteries in the regular trash.  That concludes our field trip!  It was a great time by all.

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Posted by Sarah

Are you allowed to bring visitors for a tour? I'd love to take my three someday. It looked very clean and organized.

Sarah (not logged in)

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Posted by Lilyofthevalley4

Looks like a very interesting place to visit! We recycle here as well and I have often wondered how it is all done. :) Looks like you had a great time. Your boys are getting so big! I forgot that your youngest was the same age as our youngest right now. :)

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Posted by Dell

That's amazing that the glass shreds are soft! I wonder what the process is! What a great tour. I've enjoyed glimpsing your lovely family too, and will "stay tuned" for more!

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