The Crap You’re Putting in a Landfill When You Choose Not to Recycle

Paper--2 to 5 months

Milk Cartons--5 years

Filter Tip Cigarettes (as if any dumb ass smoker throws these anywhere other than outside their car window)--10 to 12 years

Plastic Bags--10 to 20 years

Leather Shoes--24 to 40 years

Plastic Containers--50 to 80 years

Disposable Diapers--75 years

Aluminum Cans--200 to 500 years

Styrofoam--NEVER

You don't have to put all that crap in the garbage.  You can recycle just about all of it:

Just about any type of paper not used for food can be recycled.  Items which can't include pizza boxes, Milk Cartons, dirty paper plates, and the like.

Cigarettes--let's face it:  if you smoke, you're not concerned with your personal environment; much less the environment in general.

Plastic Bags--hopefully you're shopping with a re-usable tote or taking your own bags to the store.  But if you have some to recycle, many grocery stores like Publix have receptacles exclusively for plastic bags.

Disposable Diapers--I'm guilty of this one.  I use cloth diapers with my son but not exclusively.  Luckily, there are alternatives for those parents who want the convenience of disposable diapers.  Check out http://www.world-wire.com/news/0902040002.html as well as http://www.knowaste.com.  Also, some companies are producing environmentally friendly disposable diapers like Ecobaby http://www.ecobaby.ie/ecobaby_home_01.htm.

Aluminum Cans--why are you drinking out of aluminum anyway--you should be drinking water!  But if you're drinking or eating out of aluminum, you can recycle these just about anywhere.

Styrofoam--just don't patron companies which still utilize this crap for packaging.  And one of the most easily avoided is TAKE OUT from a restaurant.  Tell them you want GREEN alternatives or you're not dining there again.