“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere…”
-Annie Leonard
How can I start recycling in North Kansas City?
Where do I take my recyclables in the Kansas City Northland?
Why should I recycle?
In today’s fast-paced world, where convenience often trumps our environment, recycling goes ignored or considered a hassle. We toss it in a bin and the trash effortlessly disappears – out of sight out of mind, right? However, we can’t forget recycling what we can is not just an act of environmental stewardship, but a necessary pivot towards sustainability. Our planet selflessly cares for each of us every day, so the least we can do is make a conscious effort for her in return. Imagine the Northland of Kansas City coming together in a combined effort to make a positive impact on our little piece of the world. Let’s get into the critical importance of recycling, and how you, too, can contribute.
Unpacking the Vital Role of Recycling and How You Can Contribute.
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Conserving Natural Resources: Every aluminum can recycled is a chunk of bauxite ore that stays in the Earth. Recycling paper spares countless trees, therefore, improving our air quality, and preserving our forests and ecosystem.
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Saving Energy and Reducing Pollution: Manufacturing products from recycled materials typically consumes less energy than producing them from virgin resources. For instance, recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from its raw form.
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Creating Jobs: The recycling industry is a significant employment generator, offering roles in collection, processing, and selling recycled materials.
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Making Recycling a Part of Your Routine: Incorporating recycling into your daily life is easier than you think. Start by familiarizing yourself with what can and cannot be recycled in your local community. City of Kansas City Recycle Center has a super helpful handout to use as a guide that details these items. Generally, paper, cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and certain plastics are recyclable. However, the devil is in the details, and understanding the specific guidelines to correct recycling is key. Not to mention all the other recyclable materials like rocks, yard waste, and kitchen cabinets – yes, I’m talking recycling leftover or lightly used building materials, too!
The “Where” You’ve Been Waiting for: Local Gems for all Your Recycling Needs.
Fortunately, for fellow Northlanders eager to make a difference, there are many local havens for all recyclers:
Best for: Typical recycling items. Cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass. This is also a great place to find boxes for moving!
City of Kansas City Recycle Center – 5601 NE Pleasant Valley Rd., Kansas City, MO 64119
Open Wednesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm. [City of KC Website Link]
Best for: Recycling or Purchasing left over or used home improvement materials. Anything from kitchen cabinets to flooring, and paint to furniture. You name it; however, inventory varies based on previous donations.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat KC ReStore Northland – 8516 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155
Open Monday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm, closes at 5pm on Saturdays. [ReStore Website Link]
Best for: Yard waste and food waste.
Missouri Organic Recycling – 1815 N Chouteau Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64120
Open Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. [Missouri Organic Website Link]
Best for: Gravel, Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt, Brush, Wood Chips, and Compost.
Rockridge Riverside Recycle Center – 6305 NW River Park Dr. W, Riverside, MO 64150 (Local Northland location)
Open Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 3:45pm. [Website Link]
Best for: Any and all things metal. If you have valuable metal pieces, you can make a few extra bucks!
North Kansas City Iron & Metal – 1222 Iron St, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:14pm with a 30-minute lunch break at noon, Saturday is 8am-12pm [Link to Website]
If you have textiles to get rid of, don’t throw them away! Anything like bedding, pillows, rags, and towels can be used at an animal shelter nearest you. If you have clothes to throw away, bag them up and take them to your closest Goodwill or Savers. Big places like Goodwill and Savers sendoff throw away textiles for recycling to keep them out of landfills.
Have things to get rid of but don’t have a truck? Call Grateful Hauling & Delivery (913) 227-9628. Not only will they come take all your unwanted junk away, they will properly dispose of it, too.
AND IF YOU STILL have questions: Call Kansas City’s Recycling Information Line at (816)474-8326.
As we continue to navigate the challenges of environmental conservation, recycling stands out as a practical, impactful action we can all take. It’s not just about disposing of waste; it’s about embracing a mindset of renewal and responsibility. Opt for products with minimal packaging or those made from recycled materials. The next time you’re about to throw something away, pause and consider: could this be the start of something new? By choosing to recycle, we contribute to a larger, collective effort to preserve our planet for generations to come. Let’s not underestimate the power of recycling; after all, every great movement begins with a single step. Or, in this case, a single piece of recyclable material.
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