More Recycling

I started using a new paid recycling service called Ridwell in January, and I have to say, I have been loving it. Ridwell charges $14 to $18 per month (depending on the number of months you commit to), and comes to your house every two weeks to pick up items that our regular City recycling pickups don’t collect. They pick up plastic film (including most bubble wrap, grocery and newspaper bags, and the outer packaging on many items), batteries, light bulbs, and threads (clothing and other fabrics) every time, plus they have one additional special category on each pickup day. Check out ridwell.com for details.

I was amazed, and appalled, to see how much plastic film passed through my house, once I started collecting it to be recycled. I feel better knowing that it is at least being recycled (Ridwell ships it to a factory that makes Trex decking). The whole experience has made me pay much more attention to packaging, since yes, reducing the amount I use is even better than recycling it.

With Ridwell, you’re paying for the convenience of having them pick up the items. You can, though, recycle or donate the same things without paying Ridwell to pick them up. Many grocery stores will take plastic film (see bagandfilmrecycling.org for a list), Berkeley Recycling (at 2^nd and Gilman) accepts unbroken fluorescent light bulbs and batteries, and there are also various places to donate clothing and other items.