Recycling seems like a no-brainer. But the fact is even though nearly 80% of the waste stream is recyclable, only 30% is actually recycled. That leaves a lot of room for improvement. Here’s a few easy suggestions on things you can do to start recycling more.

Separate your recycleables. First thing first. Get the recyclables out of the garbage can. The easiest way to do this is to create different containers in your home for recyclable paper goods, bottles and cans, etc. depending on the requirments of your curbside recycling service. You can buy fancy bins, or simply use cardboard boxes and label them accordingly. Put these next to your main garbage bin, whether that is in your kitchen, garage, or alongside your house.

Put a recycling bin next to every garbage can in your house. Yes. Every single one. In the bathroom (those cardboard toilet paper rolls add up), by the computer (so does computer paper), in the bedroom - you get the picture. Empty them into a separate bag at the same time you make the household rounds for garbage. By simply creating the option to recycle when you might otherwise throw something away will encourage you to recycle more.

Know what you can and can not recycle. Check with your local
recycling service to find out what specifications they have. Many
recycling service websites offer a FAQs page that answers many
questions, especially about what plastics and metals can be recycled. Many also offer free decals, posters or signs to post above your
bins to help you know what you can recycle.

Remember your recycling day. Not many people forget what day the garbage truck comes by, so why is it difficult to remember when recycling pick-up is? Write it on the calendar, keep a note on your fridge or create a reminder in your Blackberry.

Recycle even when you’re not at home. Get in the recycling frame of mind every where you go. If you pick up a bottle of water, or a newspaper while you’re out don’t toss it, take it home to recycle. If you’re having a picnic in the park, take your recycleables home with you. Some cities, such as Seattle, make it a little easier by providing green and blue recycling bins on street corners next to the regular garbage bins.

Recycle even if you think others aren’t. One of the biggest problems in getting people to recycle is the thinking, "My neighbors don’t, so why should I?" Do your part. Don’t let your neighbors dictate your recycling habits. If anything once they see your recycling bin filled to the brim, they’ll want to keep up and start doing a little more themselves.

Recycle even if you think others are. On the flip side, you might think, "Everyone else is recycling, so what’s one little tuna can in the garbage going to do?" Each individual tuna can, soda can, plastic bottle, magazine, newspaper etc. that goes in to the garbage adds up. So just recycle it.

The easier you make it for yourself and your family to recycle the more you will recycle.

What small things get you to recycle more?

Amy says: Breaking bad recycling habits are hard, but not impossible. I have one friend who would throw nearly everything into the garbage. Each time I would visit his place I’d peek into the waste bin, pull things out and politely say, "Hey, this can be recycled." The last time I went over he proudly showed me his new system for separating recycleables from the garbage.

More on recycling from Green Options:

Green Options - Recycling
Green Myth Busting: Recycling
Q & A: How Can We Ask People To Recycle When It Is So Difficult
Resources for Creative Recycling
Urban Options: Fundamentalist Recycling and the Point of Sale Conscience
II. Solid Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
Daily Tip: Think Before You Toss
Weekend Web Review: How Can I Recycle This?
Daily Tip: Foiled Again (and Again, and Again)
Solid Waste 101–What Can’t You Throw Away?