Archive for the ‘Paper Recycling’ Category

Four Benefits of Recycling Plastic

Plastic is inexpensive, durable, and lightweight, so it makes sense that it’s used abundantly in manufacturing.

Plastics are used to manufacture a staggering number of products we use every day – everything from food and beverage containers to trash and grocery bags and even children’s toys and diapers. But all this product has to go somewhere, right?

Each year, approximately 100 million tons of plastic is produced, and it usually ends up in landfills. When plastic is disposed of in landfills, it can take up to 1000 years to decompose. When burnt, plastic releases highly toxic gas. Keeping these things in mind, the best option for dealing with plastic is reducing the amount we use in the first place, and for the plastic waste we do use, it is essential that we are recycling.

Recycling is crucial to the future health of our planet, and here are four reasons why. Keep reading for four major benefits of recycling plastic.

It conserves natural resources and energy.

Tossing that plastic water bottle in the trash takes less than a second. Reusing it takes the same amount of time and has more benefits. Did you know that it takes twice as much energy to burn plastic as it does to recycle it?

Recycling saves energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make materials from scratch. Making products from scratch is labor-intensive and expensive. Using recycled materials instead of pulling new natural resources, manufacturers can make the same products with less energy and expense.

[Need some recycling tips for this coming summer? Click here!]

Recycling plastics saves so much landfill space.

Our American landfills are growing every day. Because they are so full, they take up large parcels of land which destroys essential natural resources. Waste dumps are also significant emitters of methane gas, one of the primary gases proven to be responsible for climate change. According to an article in EPA, “In 2018, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic.”

By recycling our plastic, we can help slow the rate at which our landfills are filling up and the number of greenhouse gases generated by them.

Helps protect ecosystems and wildlife.

Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest, or extract new raw materials from the Earth. That, in turn, lessens the disruption and damage done to the natural world: fewer forests cut down, rivers diverted, wild animals harmed or displaced, and less pollution of water, soil, and air.

And of course, if our plastic waste isn’t safely put in the recycling, it can be blown or washed into rivers and seas and end up hundreds or thousands of miles away, polluting coastlines and waterways and becoming a problem for everyone.

Our oceans are in trouble, and the numbers are astounding. According to National Geographic, “there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that mass, 269,000 tons float on the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea.”

Reducing climate-changing carbon emissions.

Because recycling means you need to use less energy on sourcing and processing new raw materials, it produces lower carbon emissions. It also keeps potentially methane-releasing waste out of landfill sites.

Reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere is vital for stopping disastrous climate change.

The truth is we need to get into the habit of using less stuff. And the things we use need to be reused before being recycled to minimize waste. Many people think that one person can’t make a difference, but when it comes to recycling, one person can make a huge impact. Recycling is a simple way to preserve our natural resources and protect our clean air and water.

With the services and facilities offered by Carolina Fibre, it’s easier than ever to jump on board with green efforts here in eastern North Carolina. Contact us today to learn more about our recycling services!

Fall in Love with Recycling This February – Five Benefits of Recycling

February may be the month dedicated to love, but it doesn’t have to be limited to your significant other. As a supporter of sustainability and an enhanced ecosystem, Carolina Fibre looks for ways in everyday life to show love to our earth and protect the environment. And one of our favorite ways is through recycling. 

According to a new report by the research firm Verisk Maplecroft, the average American produces 1,704 pounds of garbage per year, roughly three times the global average. These staggering number showcase that we need to fall in love with recycling. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, recycling has many benefits. Keep reading to find out about five more.

Increases property value.

Recycling promotes a healthy community and, in turn, can increase property value. 

Communities that recycle will reduce the need for local landfills. Landfills will lower property values because nobody wants to live near a garbage dump. The more you and your neighbors recycle, the fewer landfills your city will need. 

The little bit of effort it takes to separate and recycle your trash each week will eventually pay off big for everyone in the community.

Saves energy.

Tossing an aluminum can in the trash takes less than a second. Reusing a can takes the same amount of time and has more benefits. Did you know that it takes twice as much energy to burn plastic as it does to recycle it? It also takes 64% more energy to make paper than recycling and reusing it. 

Recycling saves energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make materials from scratch. Making products from scratch is labor-intensive and expensive. Using recycled materials instead of pulling new natural resources, manufacturers can make the same products with less energy and expense.

Recycling creates jobs.

Plants and industries are required for effective recycling. If we were to ramp up our efforts, we could create ten times more jobs than landfill management.

According to Eco-cycle, jobs are created in: 

  • Collecting, processing, and preparing materials. 
  • Making new products from recycled materials. Your recyclables then head to manufacturing facilities that use recycled feedstocks, such as paper mills and plastic manufacturing facilities. 
  • Reuse and remanufacturing. Some discards are sorted and fixed up to be used again through computer refurbishers, thrift stores, and auto salvage yards.

[Click here to learn how a recycling program can help your business and save you money!]

Ensures a sustainable future for all. 

There is only so much the environment can offer with its limited natural resources. Recycling ensures that we minimize the immediate effect on the environment and give it time to recover while creating sustainable habits.

Reduces air pollution. 

When companies choose to use recycled materials that come from paper products, plastics, and metals instead of using raw materials, they reduce the number of toxins released in the air. 

Many people think that one person can’t make a difference, but when it comes to recycling, one person can make a huge impact. Recycling is a simple way to preserve our natural resources and protect our clean air and water – and of course, show love to mother nature.

Why Recycling and Using Recycled Paper at the Office is so Important

There has been a lot of discussion about reducing our American workplaces’ footprint, but unfortunately, statistics show that U.S. companies continue to be huge contributors to environmental destruction. Pollution, climate change, waste in waterways, and deforestation are just some of the environmental degradation that comes from our corporations. Many of those contributions are in the form of discarded paper.
But why does saving trees matter, and why should American companies care? Let’s explore the many benefits of using recycled paper and how we can help our earth by initiating a paper recycling program at your office.
The benefits of recycling paper and using recycled paper.
When your office recycles and uses recycled paper, you help promote a more sustainable corporate climate and a healthier earth for decades to come. Among other benefits, recycling your paper and using recycled paper may:

  • Save forests and reduce environmental degradation.
  • Reduce landfill waste.
  • Reduce pollution.
  • Save energy.

Keep reading to find out how these can help your business and our environment!
Save forests and reduce environmental degradation. 
Recycling paper allows your used paper to be repurposed. This article from Small Biz Trends shows that paper products can typically be recycled into additional paper products seven times before the materials start to degrade. This highlights how recycling dramatically reduces the need for raw materials needed to make new paper products.
Many people think saving trees isn’t a huge concern since it’s always possible to plant more trees. However, not only is this a misconception, but healthy forest eco-systems are essential for preventing soil erosion, sustaining healthy waterways, and maintaining wildlife habits. Over-managing our forests disrupts these processes that are vital to our eco-system. Even when trees are replanted, it can take forests decades to recover.
Research shows that almost half of the trees cut down in the U.S. are headed for paper production. By utilizing recycled paper and recycling your office’s paper products, you can help reduce these numbers and maintain healthier forests.
Reduce landfill waste.
Our American landfills are growing every day. Because they are so full, they are taking up large parcels of land and destroying essential natural resources. Waste dumps are also significant emitters of methane gas, one of the primary gases proven to be responsible for climate change.
By using recycled paper and recycling our paper, we can help slow the rate at which our landfills are filling up and the number of greenhouse gases generated by them.
Reduce pollution
The paper production procedure is a crucial contributor to environmental pollution. While using recycled paper doesn’t completely reverse these effects, it does greatly diminish them. Recycling paper also limits the amount of pollution that ends up in our waterways.
Saves energy.
According to an article in the Printing News, the energy needed to produce paper from raw materials is almost double what it takes to make paper from recycled paper.
Supporting paper recycling results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the drain on energy resources.
[Need some tips on encouraging sustainability in the classroom? Click here!]
Recycling paper can save your business money!
On top of all the environmental benefits, recycling your paper and utilizing recycled paper can save your company a lot of money in the long run.

  • Investing in paper recycling may make your office eligible for tax credits.
  • Utilizing recycled paper can help your company gain approval among clients, who are demanding that brands take steps to limit their footprints.
  • Purchasing recycled paper drives up demand for these materials, which reduces the cost of recycling as the industry invests in the necessary infrastructure to meet demand.
  • Choosing sustainable options such as recycled paper will push down the cost of these goods. As resources grow scarcer, the price of paper goods will skyrocket. Investing in recycling now can help keep the cost of paper more reasonable over the long term.

How to set up a paper recycling program at your office. 
Now that you know all the recycling paper benefits, it’s time to put that new knowledge to good use by initiating an office paper recycling program. Here are a few tips to get started:

  • Designate an office “green team.”
  • Use a waste audit kit to determine the volume of your waste.
  • Research collection options.
  • Identify what to collect.
  • Select appropriate recycling bins.
  • Use images to so your team can quickly identify each bin.
  • Contact a professional recycling company like Carolina Fibre! At Carolina Fibre, we offer extensive recycling services, including paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling, and confidential shredding. Our confidential shredding service ensures your company is protected against identity theft and the divulgence of private information by complete destruction of company records. Once the information is shredded, we send a certificate of destruction for all materials destroyed.

Not only does investing in recycled paper provide your office with some immediate benefits, but it’s also simply the right thing to do when it comes to preserving the natural resources relied on by everyone.
By knowing the facts, engaging your team in a recycling program, and investing in recycled paper products, your company can help make our future healthier and more prosperous for us all.
With the services and facilities offered by Carolina Fibre, it’s easier than ever for businesses to jump on board with green efforts here in North Carolina. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started on your company’s commercial recycling plan!

Four Essential Summer Recycling Tips

In most states, summer is beginning to wind down, but in southern North Carolina, we are still in the thick of it.
Our weekends are still filled with day trips, beach days, and pool time. It adds up to a lot of time spent outside in a beautiful environment, and we want to be sure to protect it. So, while you’re soaking up the sun this summer, try to reduce waste, save resources, and protect our earth by following these four essential summer recycling tips.
Road trips.
If you are ready to hit the road, pack some meals and snacks in eco-friendly containers and bring a reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled. Don’t forget to bring along bags to collect recyclables in the car and look for recycling bins at rest stops. Some other things you can do include:

  • Instead of buying small, travel-sized toiletries, fill reusable containers with shampoo, soap, and other necessities.
  • If you stop for a fill-up or a quick bite, commit to picking up a few trash pieces along the way. Try to help make the world better than how you found it!
  • Take only napkins, condiment packets, free brochures, maps, or coupons you will use.

Lawn care.
You will probably be mowing the lawn quite a bit this summer, so don’t let that cut grass end up in a landfill! The EPA estimates that our yard waste accounts for 18% of material in our landfills. Our dumps are quickly running out of space, so it’s important to help where we can. Grass clippings are an organic material that can be reused to benefit the environment.
Rather than bagging the grass as you mow, leave it on the lawn where it will return valuable nutrients to the yard. If you’re worried about the look of cut grass on your lawn, add your clippings to a compost pile. Either way, your grass-cycling will significantly impact the environment and help reduce landfill waste.
[Need more eco-friendly summer essentials? Click here!]
Pool and beach days.
If you have old beach or pool toys, try patching holes or find other uses. These products are usually made of PVC, which are not recyclable, so consider this before buying new ones. If you are shopping for new pool toys, buy those made from recyclable materials to minimize the ecological impact. Other tips include:

  • Reuse plastic or paper shopping bags to pack items for your trip and recycle them afterward. Plastic shopping bags are perfect for keeping dirty shoes and wet bathing suits separate from other things, while paper bags are great for packing snacks.
  • Use old buckets and other items in your house to build sandcastles instead of buying new ones.
  • When visiting beaches and parks, be sure to take out everything you bring in so that you leave places clean and undisturbed.
  • Take a closer look at your sunscreen. Don’t forget to see which cans and bottles are recyclable before throwing them out. Most metal sunscreen bottles are made from aluminum, which is a highly recyclable material.

For the grill.
Barbeques are far and few between these days, but if you decide to host a small gathering, make recycling convenient by putting a clearly labeled recycling bin by the trash.
A barbeque can produce a ton of waste, and because plastic cutlery usually can’t be recycled, it’s essential to try and plan ahead. Provide reusable knives and forks for your guests. If you want to work toward zero-waste, put out reusable napkins, plates, cups, and cutlery at your next party! We know this isn’t always practical, so if you must buy disposable, try to find paper products that are made from recycled materials and are biodegradable or compostable.
By paying attention to a few extra details, you can help make a greener summer possible for everyone, you know. For more great recycling tips, be sure to visit Carolina Fibre online today!

6 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Help the Environment

Using expanding technology can make our lives easier, but it can also damage the environment. Much of our technology releases toxic greenhouse gasses and other emissions that are harmful to the planet, especially most transportation technology. Thankfully, as people become increasingly aware of our technology’s impact on the earth, we’ve used innovation to create new ways to minimize the negative impacts.
Even the average person can contribute to keeping our environment healthy and intact. Here are six extremely easy ways you can help keep the planet intact.

Volunteer.

If you want to take your environmental obligation to a new level, try sharing your passion with your community. Volunteering to help protect the environment has many benefits. In addition to helping our planet heal from human impact, volunteering provides an excellent avenue to meet like-minded people. There’s no better way to make friends than to meet people while working toward a common goal. Not sure where to volunteer?

Here are a few ideas that might help you choose organizations that positively impact the planet.

  • Local animal rescue organizations
  • Parks and Recreation programs
  • Volunteer matching websites

Plant a tree.

It’s been estimated that anywhere from 3.5 to 7 billion trees are cut down each day around the world. Isn’t that devastating? It seems that humans are cutting down more trees than new ones have a chance to grow.
You can help improve this problem by simply planting a new tree. Even planting a single tree can do so much good for nature and the environment. Trees help clean the air, filter water, absorb carbon, create shade, give birds shelter, and enrich the soil.

Not sure how to plant a tree? Here are a few tips:

  • Research what species thrives in your area
  • Plan a location that helps survival
  • Plant the tree during cooler seasons when soil is moist
  • Use supports for smaller trees until they’re bigger and stronger

Eat seasonally.

Eating produce during their proper season reduces the demand for out of season fruits and vegetables. Mega farms often use harmful practices that damage the earth in order to provide produce out of season, so keep this in mind. Watching what you eat from season to season reduces the impact of harmful chemicals because of decreased demand for that produce item. Additionally, it supports your local economy because it boosts business for local farmers who often provide cheaper and cleaner produce.

Save the bees.

Believe it or not, it takes more than soil, water, and sunshine to make the world green. According to an article published by The Penn State Extension, at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of all plants require cross-pollination to thrive. Bees are pollinating powerhouses, yet many bee species are declining in population due to rapid development, abandoned farms, and diminishing flowers. Some colonies collapse due to consuming plant or seed matter laced with pesticides.
You can help prevent further decline of the bee population in your area by planting more flowers that the bee population requires for survival. Do some research about the kinds of bees in your area as well as the types of plants they need most. Make sure to use only nonharmful fertilization and pesticide treatments on your plants.

Conserve energy.

All energy sources have some level of impact on our environment. Coal oil and natural gas cause more harm than renewable energy in many ways such as air and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife loss, and much more.
Reducing your use of energy alone will not impact the environment much, but if you do it and encourage others to as well, that’s how a movement begins! Taking steps to reduce your energy consumption and spreading the word for others to do the same, will reduce the demand for harmful energy.

Recycle.

Recycling is such an easy thing to do, yet so many don’t bother to do it. Reusing materials and properly disposing of harmful ones is an essential step toward protecting our world. With dozens of recycling facilities and most cities offering recycle pickup, there are few available excuses for not recycling.
Before tossing your garbage in the nearest trashcan, take an extra second to look around for a recycling receptacle. Many cities have now provided recycling bins right next to public trashcans.
You can also shop with the environment in mind! Consider purchasing more used items throughout the year. Every new product you purchase leaves a footprint on the environment because making new products requires mineral mining and manufacturing plants that consume exorbitant amounts of energy. Practice doing a bit of thrifting when it makes sense for you.
Hopefully, these ideas will get you started on helping to heal our earth, but if you still have concerns about recycling and eco-friendly living in general, Carolina Fibre is here to help. Check out our blog for more tips or contact us today!
 

6 Ways to “Green” your Holiday

The holidays are a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, but decorating your home with hundreds of energy-zapping twinkle lights and throwing away four garbage bags full of wrapping paper doesn’t really fit either category. According to the EPA Blog, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, American household waste increases by more than 25 percent. During the holiday season, we will throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week, including holiday wrapping and packaging. And we will use more electricity on holiday lights than some countries use in an entire year. Luckily, eco-conscious yuletide cheer is just as festive as some of the more traditional options. Here are six eco-friendly holiday tips to help you reduce your environmental footprint this holiday season.
Give smart.
There are many ways you can give smart this season. DIY gifts like handcrafted candles, a homemade blanket, or handmade beauty products can be as much fun to make and give as to receive. Or try arranging a secondhand-gift exchange. Part of the fun of thrift shopping is discovering hidden treasures that may be decades old, and changing it up with secondhand gifts is a fun way to shop that’s also good for the environment.
Decorate with nature.
Avoid buying cheap plastic items that fall apart easily and cannot be recycled. Using green plants and fresh flowers, fruits, pine cones, and evergreens for home decorating are clever and stylish ways to protect the environment. Natural holiday decor saves money and provides an organic beauty. Green holiday decorating ideas are simple and classic, plus they create more time to enjoy the festive season and relax with family and friends.
DIY the decor.
Not only can you bring the outside in to help green up your holiday, you can find other ways to decorate while being kind to the earth. Pledge to trim your tree with only homemade decorations. Create popcorn and cranberry garland, make salt dough ornaments, and top it with a paper plate angel. Upcycle old sweaters to make pillows, stockings, or even mini Christmas trees. Decorate your mantels with paper trees, and ceilings with paper snowflakes. You can turn your home into a winter wonderland with little money and a lot of creativeness.
Use energy-saving lights.
LED Christmas lights are an easy swap to make that save more than 95 percent of energy over time, according to Eartheasy.com. As an added bonus, LEDs release little heat, and they last about 200,000 hours. In the unlikely event that one does burn out, the rest of the lights keep on glowing. Also, go for mini lights instead of larger lights, and shut them off when you go to bed, nobody is appreciating lights at two in the morning. While LED lights may be a little bit more expensive initially because they use less energy you can recoup the cost on your monthly bill.
Make your wrapping paper.
Making your gift wrap is a chance not only to save money but help the environment by recycling or repurposing products. You could use altered versions of newspaper, paper grocery bags, old magazines, comic books, freezer paper or even leftover gift wrap in a creative way that is eco-friendly and less wasteful.
Recycle your tree.
One of our favorite Christmas traditions is the tree. From picking it out to bringing it home, to decorating it, the Christmas tree never fails to bring a smile to our faces. No matter how much we love our tree, however, there comes a time to bid it goodbye. Instead of dragging your tree to the curb and sending it to the landfill, there are many ways to give your tree a second life by recycling it. You can compost it, donate it to a local farm (goats love them!), take it to an oceanside town to help rebuild dunes, or even get creative and make your mulch or build a bird sanctuary.
Make this holiday season one to remember by creating new traditions with your loved ones, saving the planet, and having a blast by bringing these earth savvy and festive projects to life!

Four Ways to Recycle Your Old Books and Textbooks

Another school year is here, and that more means books, papers and magazines cluttering your home. As they all start trickling in this season, you realize you haven’t even gotten rid of unnecessary materials from the past three years. So what are you supposed to do with all these old textbooks and novels? Your first instinct may be to throw your books in the trash, but wait – there are better options! Keep reading for four ways to recycle your old books and textbooks.
Donate.
Your library: Supporting your community library is always a great idea, so check your local branch’s website for its donation process. Libraries could use your donated books in their system or find another avenue for book donation on your behalf.
Charity: Bring your boxes of used books to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other local charity. These centers will take donations of almost any sort, but be sure to check their specific guidelines just in case. If you already donate your clothes or former household items, adding books that you no longer need to the pile is simple. To find a local charity center in your area, visit the Charity Centers website.
Schools: Oftentimes, teachers have to create their own classroom library. Reach out to your local schools and tell them what types of books you have available for donation, and they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Drop-off Boxes: Companies like Better World Books collect and sell books online so they can in turn donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide. They have tons of locations, and their drop-off sites are convenient and easy to access on the go.
Sell.
Yourself: Craigslist and Facebook are two online options for getting rid of unwanted books on your own. You can declutter your life and make a little money at the same time.
Online Companies: Sites like Amazon, Bookfinder and Bookscouter are some of the biggest and most trafficked global bookstores. For a fee, they will basically sell the books for you.
Local used bookstore: A local used bookstore is the easiest way to get rid of unwanted books. Guidelines differ from store to store, but generally you can just bring in your old books and they’ll buy them from you, or make a trade.
Decorate.
Shelving: You can use your favorite hardcover book as a statement piece to conceal a standard shelf, resulting in a creative storage method that looks like a stack of books is floating in midair.
Planters: Another way to recycle your books is to get creative and turn them into something fun. For example, Eco-Pots made from recycled books are a great illustration of how you can breathe new life into your old books.
Use as accents: Books add warmth and a level of coziness to any room. Add a stack of books to a tabletop, shelving unit, kitchen counter, or fireplace hearth. Use odd numbers of books and a variety of colors for the best result.
Recycle
Curbside: Paperback books that are torn or unusable can be placed in your curbside recycle bin for quick and convenient salvaging.
Reuse in fun ways: Another way to put an old book to good use is make something fun and unique. Use the pages to make gift tags, greeting cards, envelopes, or even wrapping paper.
Recycling center: Last but not least, always consider a recycling corporation like Carolina Fibre for your old books. Paper recycling is the process of recovering waste paper and remaking it into a new product, so you’d get rid of those old books and help the environment.
We hope this post has given you some new ideas for recycling your old textbooks and books. If you liked this post, follow us on Facebook for more helpful tips and tricks. And if you have any questions about recycling, contact us today!

How to Go – And Stay – Green During Your Next Vacation

The salty spray of ocean waves, open roads, the wind in your hair: summer vacation season is fast approaching!
If, like the Carolina Fibre team, you live in a state that makes traveling to various landscapes an easy feat, then you might only be planning on a brief road trip or two this season. But maybe you’ve decided to take a longer excursion that will keep you away from home for a while. Extended vacation time is great, but it can also make it seem more acceptable to let those green habits slide while you’re on that well-deserved break. Check out a few tips to help you stay on top of your green game even during your globe-trotting adventures!
Reusable water bottles
While we highly recommend having one of these on hand at home or work anyway, a reusable water bottle is especially handy for while you’re on the road (or in the air). And it’s not just to keep plastic out of landfills; over a lengthy trip, the cost of buying disposable water bottles every time you get thirsty can really add up! Bringing your own along saves you the trouble of repeat purchases, and keeps trash cans a few ounces of plastic lighter. So when you’re putting together a packing list, make sure you include a reusable water bottle – for both the environment’s sake, and your wallet’s.
Non-stop flights
Filling your car with fuel is one thing, but have you ever stopped to think about how much a plane uses just to get itself off the ground? By booking a non-stop flight, you can help conserve some of that valuable fuel! Just as it happens with cars, taking off and landing takes more energy than cruising along at high altitudes does. So, when you take a direct, non-stop flight instead of hopping onto multiple planes that have to start and stop, you’re actually helping to ensure that the minimal amount of fuel is being used for the duration of your trip. Plus, who doesn’t want to avoid layovers and the stress of making connecting flights?
Sustainable accommodations
Did you know that many hotels have adopted green policies to help cut down on the amount of waste that vacationers tend to accumulate? In fact, many of them will advertise these measures on their websites, so you can become familiar with them before you even arrive at your destination. When you’re looking into where you’d like to stay, keep an eye out for hotels and other accommodations that mention eco-friendly renovations they’ve recently completed, energy-saving methods, even sustainable products they like to use on-property.
Local products
While you’re away, we recommend soaking in as much of the local flavor as you possibly can! Not only is it a great way to experience a new place, but doing so can help cut down on the pollution and waste production in that region. It’s the same thing as being locally-centric when you’re at home; shopping and eating local products creates less demand for things that have to be driven or flown in, fewer instances of tossing materials like plastic from large manufacturers into trash cans instead of recycling bins.
Linens and things
You wouldn’t change your sheets and bath towels every day at home, so why do it on vacation? Request that your sheets and linens not be changed out every day to save on water and other resources expended during each load of laundry. Most hotels have some sort of system for housekeeping anyway, so it’s a simple matter of conveying your request in the right way.
There are tons of easy ways to give the planet its own sort of vacation while you’re off sightseeing and exploring new places. Stay tuned to our blog for more tips, and safe travels this summer!

Carolina Fibre Attends the Carolina Recycling Association’s 24th Annual Conference and Tradeshow

Members of our team attended the Carolina Recycling Association’s (CRA) 24th Annual Conference and Trade Show last week at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. The CRA has been in the business of advancing waste reduction and recycling in the Carolinas since 1989 and is maintained by multi-national corporations, small businesses, local government, state government agencies, and individuals.
And what a grand success it was! “Zeroing in on Waste Reduction” drew in over 700 attendees, 24 sponsorships, and 89 exhibitors – the largest, most well attended conference to date.
The CRA conference was a means to meet and discuss material supply and other technical and market issues related to recycling in our region. The conference runs for three days, and had hundreds of attendees in the recycling and waste industries. The conference featured breakout sections, roundtable discussions, and meetings, as well as receptions and mixers in the evenings. Because our services have grown to include paper recycling, plastic recycling, aluminum recycling, consulting services, and confidential shredding, topics such as commercial recycling, source reduction and reuse, and non-traditional materials were of particular interest to us at Carolina Fibre.
Carolina Fibre was among many fine organizations present at this year’s conference. We’re pleased with the current trend toward green initiatives, and that companies around the world are seeking easy, efficient ways to offset their impact on the environment. Carolina Fibre has been advocating sustainability, reducing negative impact, and enhancing the ecosystem since its inception. To this day, Carolina Fibre remains committed to developing innovative solutions for recycling waste.
Our time at the Carolina Recycling Association’s Conference and Trade Show was both informative and fun. We look forward to attending the event in 2015!