Smart Stuff....

When we were in Virginia, I drove to the local Wally World and was wandering around one day as it was a huge new Wal-Mart and I was in the mood to meander through the aisles. I was pleasantly surprised to find items, in the garden shop, that are made from recycled items. Smart Stones are composite stepping stones that utilize roughly 80 plastic grocery bags per stone. They are lighter than concrete or stone stepping stones but extremely durable.  It was neat to see this item in the garden shop. An American made item too....They're made in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Also saw the bags of rubber mulch that are made from recycled tires. The stuff I've seen in the stores this year is red in color but it is available in many colors. Although this item has been around for several years, the price is coming down making it more affordable and you're seeing it in more stores. Almost makes me want to do some landscaping.....

There are so many items available now that are made from recycled materials....from reclaimed lumber to plastic bottles and shopping bags. I hope more and more of them make their way to places like Wal-Mart for high volume purchasing by the general public. I know you've read recycling stats before but here are 10 more compelling reasons to recycle:

1 - It takes 75,000 trees each week to produce the Sunday edition of the New York Times.
2 - If Americans recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save 25 million trees a year.
3 - Recycling and reusing the material in "tin" cans reduces energy use by 74%, air pollution by 85%, solid waste by 95%, and water pollution by 76%.
4 - It takes 95% less energy to make aluminum by recycling it than by producing it from its natural ore, bauxite. It costs less too.
5 - The average American uses 580 pounds of paper each year. As a nation we consume 850 million trees annually.
6 - In 1991, the Great Wall of China became the second largest man-made structure in the world. The largest was Fresh Kills Landfill, serving New York City. It is now the highest point on the east coast.
7 - Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour!
8 - FOR EVERY GLASS BOTTLE RECYCLED, WE SAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO LIGHT A 100 WATT LIGHT BULB FOR 4 HOURS.
9 - Every year, Americans throw away enough office and writing paper to build a wall 12 feet high from New York to Los Angeles.
10 - In one year, American steel recycling saves enough energy to heat and light 18 million homes. One pound of steel saves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for 24 hours.