Just like that, summer is almost over and “back to school” time is upon us. Well, in Colorado, at least. With heading back to school comes supply shopping. I have to be honest, I LOVED shopping for my school supplies as a kid. Picking out the perfect new notebook and a fun new set of pencils. Getting it all organized. But, still being honest, school supplies that are made of natural materials that do not end up in the landfill are infinitely more beautiful and exciting, in my opinion.

Stop for just a second and think about how many schoolchildren there are across the country. Across the world. And how many of them are buying a pack of Crayola plastic markers for school. And plastic glue sticks. And plastic folders. And plastic binders. And plastic plastic plastic. Where’s it all going to go when they’re done with it or it break? Ok, enough thinking about that, it’s depressing.

In an effort to “green up” your school supplies, here are my tips:

one // Use what you have. Scour your house for leftover paper from last year. Tear pages out of a half-used notebook and send it to school with your kid (no teacher is going to count the number of pages!). Collect some slightly used crayons to make a full set. Take the free folder you got from a work event and put a sticker on it. Don’t buy supplies unless you truly don’t have them.

two // Look for supplies at secondhand stores. I often find paper, pens, pencils, tape, binders, markers and more at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I’m not sure why they’re there or why they didn’t get used, but someone needs to use them up! It’s always better to buy used than to buy “eco-friendly.”

three // Ask around. I posted on a FB group that I was looking for 1” white binders with clear inserts on the front. Turns out someone works in a courthouse where lawyers leave tons of binders lying around after hearings. So I’m going to go “save” two binders and my daughter will be all set for 2nd grade! You never know unless you try.

four // Work together with classmates and friends! Maybe arrange a school supply swap? Or buy things in bulk quantities and split them up amongst the class. Often things are sold in sets that might be more than you need.

five // When all else fails, buy responsibly. The sustainable goods market is taking off, and it’s not as hard as it used to be to find non-plastic materials that are okay for the earth.

Check out these sites:

• Wisdom Supply Co. - They have almost everything! markers, crayons, notebooks, folders, pencils, dry erase markers…be sure to read their descriptions of products if you have questions. Very helpful. They also have a fantastic document that shows how to swap their products for the more “traditional” ones you might see on your kid’s supply list.

• Package Free Shop - Binders, notebooks, pencils, and crayons. Good place to shop if you also need some household items.

• The Ultimate Green Store - Good selection of pencils, markers, and paper products. Other products too, such as backpacks and household items.

• Onyx and Green - (Available on Amazon) Made mostly of recycled and natural material. Good middle-ground products.

What do you think? Will you give any of these products a go? Or just buy the traditional ones? Does Crayola pay schools/teachers a dividend or something?

Happy back to school, everyone! Now, if someone could just tell me what to do about the two plastic containers of Clorox wipes I’m supposed to buy…

I love breakfast. I would say it’s my favorite meal of the day, but I really like lunch and dinner, too. And snacks.

But there’s something particularly special about that first morning meal when you’re hungry from fasting overnight. Ya know, breaking fast.

Here’s what I don’t love: cooking elaborate breakfasts while my tummy is grumbling and my children are clamoring for food beside me. “Can I just have a little appetizer?” they ask. Usually I throw them a banana.

Enter: pancake mix. Make your own combination with bulk ingredients. Keep it stocked in your pantry and all you have to do in the morning is add eggs and milk and then cook ‘em up.

It works especially well for camping trips. Before our recent trip, I finally found a mix recipe that was a keeper. I combined a few different recipes and the result struck just the right balance of healthy and hearty:

Make-Ahead Whole Wheat + Almond Pancake Mix

one/ Make the mix by combining all the ingredients in a jar:

3 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 cup almond meal/flour
1/8 cup chia seeds
1/8 cup flax meal (or seeds)
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, blueberries, apricots…)
1/4 cup baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

two/ When ready to make pancakes, combine 2.5 cups of the mix with 2 eggs and 2 cups of milk of your choice.

three/ Drop approximately 1/4 cup of batter on a hot skillet with melted butter or oil. Flip over once bubbles appear on the top of the batter.

four/ Top with syrup or jam or nut butter and ENJOY.

As I mentioned recently on my Instagram, my goal for the summer is to try to get the kids outside for at least 3 hours a day. Some of this will be swim lessons and other planned activities, but I’ve recently been reminded of the importance of unstructured outdoor play. I grew up doing this, on a large lot of land in northern New York, as I’m sure many people my age did. I’d spend hours playing in mud and water and setting up forts amongst the trees. But in recent years, there’s been a shift towards spending more time indoors with increase supervision. I’ve been reading “There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather” by Linda Åkeson McGurk and she has me completely convinced of the benefits of freely playing outdoors.

We moved a couple years ago to a house with a larger backyard. We try to get the kids outside as much as possible. But lately I’ve been thinking about finding more “real” nature for them to explore. More trails and streams and mud. I reached out to some of my parent networks on Facebook, and received tons of great suggestions. I’m compiling them all here for my own purposes, and perhaps for your reference as well. I haven’t been to even half of these spots, so do let me know in the comments if you have any feedback on any of the suggestions.

Where to find nature experiences within the Denver metro area, divided by region.
Spots closest to Denver are listed first. —

NORTH

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge // 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022
There’s a driving loop for viewing wildlife, but several short walking trails as well.

Broomfield Bike Park // Zuni Street, Broomfield, CO 80023
Bike park and supposedly fantastic nature playground nearby. Free.

Sunflower Farm // 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont, CO 80504
A single-day admission ticket gives you access to this quaint farm in Longmont. Feed animals, play on swings and the treehouse playground, ride the horses or tractors. They also offer a preschool and summer camp options. Reservations required to visit.

Eldorado Canyon State Park // 65 Baldwin Cir, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
Four trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 3.5 miles. Tip: aim to go on a weekday; weekends get very crowded.

Dirty Bismark Trail // Superior, CO - various trailheads along loop
{from the website} Dirty Bismarck Loop Trail is a 13.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Louisville, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

//

SOUTH

Washington Park // S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, CO 80210
Great walking paths, a new playground, and a creek to explore. Recent improvements have minimized car traffic inside the park.

South Platte Trail // various starting points along a ~20 mile route.
”Scenic bike ride but lots of places to stop! Get out down south by the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.”

High Line Canal // various starting points
{from the website} At 71 miles long, the High Line Canal is one of the longest continuous urban trails in the country, twisting through the most populated area of Colorado while crossing a diverse mosaic of communities and nature. The Canal originates at Waterton Canyon in Douglas County and runs to Green Valley Ranch in Northeast Denver, falling within one mile of more than 350,000 residents.

Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms // 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
{from a mom who works there}: “Amazing place to let your littles run around and explore. Farm animals, lots of birds, frogs, and beavers dams all along the creek. Most folks don't walk the full loop of the trail along the creek so miss a lot of the site.”

Chatfield State Park // 11500 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125
{from their website} “Float your boat in the lake, bicycle or hike on a trail that provides scenic views of the neighboring foothills and Platte River valley, camp, ride a horse and even fly a model airplane - all at Chatfield State Park, nestled next to the foothills southwest of Denver.​​​​”

Castlewood Canyon State Park // 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown, CO, 80116
Slightly hidden in the plains (not the mountains) which makes this park unique and sometimes less crowded than other state parks. Various hiking trails and much nature to explore.

//

EAST

Bluff Lake Nature Center // 3400 Havana Way, Denver, CO 80238
No bikes or dogs allowed. Free entry. 1.2 mile loop and several other trails and areas to observe nature.

Star K Ranch // 16002 E Smith Road, Aurora, CO 80011
They do a great nature class for kids 5 and under on Thursday mornings. Check their Facebook for details.

The Urban Farm at Stapleton // 10200 Smith Road, Denver, Colorado 80239
$5 admission for ages 2+

Cherry Creek State Park // 4201 S. Parker Road Aurora, CO 80014
{from the website} A scenic oasis in the Denver area offering a wide variety of water and land activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The 4,000-acre park and modern campground are open year-round. View birds and wildlife, recreate or relax with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.

//

WEST

Crown Hill Park // 9357 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Nice walking loop around a lake.

Anderson Park // West 44th Avenue and Field Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Access to Clear Creek. Possible water play and much to explore by the creek.

Alderfer / Three Sisters Park // 5136 South Le Masters Road, Evergreen, CO 80439
There’s also an east trailhead.

Bear Creek Lake Park // 15600 W Morrison Road, Lakewood CO 80228
When I first moved to Denver after living in places with more water, I laughed when someone told me this was a good beach. Then, a few years later, I took my kids to swim and said to friends, “this is GREAT!” It’s not the Adirondacks or Minnesota, but it’s still fun!

Lions Park // 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401
Walk by the creek and play at the playground before or after. Water level varies so be cautious if there’s a high/strong flow.

Bear Creek Greenbelt // 2800 S. Estes St., Lakewood, CO 80227
{from the website} “This lovely, natural stream corridor provides a continuous trail connection and wildlife corridor from Wadsworth Boulevard west to Bear Creek Lake Park. The 379-acre preserve parallels Bear Creek and contains wetlands, fishing ponds, riparian forests and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Trail connections provide endless options for biking and walking along the scenic floodplain heading toward Denver or Bear Creek Lake Park and the foothills beyond.”

Lair o’ the Bear Park // 22550 State Highway 74, Idledale, CO 80453
Great walking path along a creek. Good for families and usually suitable for a stroller with large wheels.

Matthew Winters Park // 1103 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Various trails, but apparently the trailhead itself is a great place to play; a stream and some trials offer kids ample opportunity to explore nature.

North Table Mountain Trail // Access the trail via Highway 93 just north of Pine Ridge Road. (4758 Highway 93)
{from the website} North Table Mountain Trail is 1.5 miles and traverses the southwest side of North Table Mountain below the cliff band. There are excellent views of the Golden Valley. The trail is moderate to advanced in difficulty, with 300 feet elevation gain from the north and 400 feet elevation gain from the south. The trail branches left to the Golden Cliffs Trail shortly after the trailhead in the north. Stay right to keep on the North Table Mountain Trail. The trail terminates near Peary Parkway at its southern end.

Apex Park // 121 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Close to downtown Golden, this trail is nice on really hot days, it eventually follows a stream with good shade thanks to a dense forest. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, but there are “directional use” restrictions: “Bicyclists are required to ride in one direction only (uphill/west) on odd-numbered calendar days.”

Hummus is one of the foods that falls into the “can’t buy without plastic” category. When I talk to others who are trying to reduce their waste, they often cite hummus as a culprit of plastic in their recycle bin. Thankfully, hummus is pretty easy to make at home, unlike some other plastic offenders (I’m looking at you, tofu!).

Easy Homemade Hummus {with optional add-in ideas}
This recipe makes enough that you can eat some that day/week and also freeze a couple jars for later. If you don’t want as much, you can easily half the recipe. Or double it! Hummus freeze well.

6 cups cooked chickpeas*
1 cup sesame paste (tahini) with some of oil
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, peeled
juice of 1-2 lemons
salt and pepper

one/ Put chickpeas, sesame paste, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a large food processor. Process until smooth, adding water from chickpeas (called “aquafaba!”) or regular water as needed. Continue processing until mixture is quite smooth.

two/ Taste and adjust seasoning, and add any of the optional “add-ins” listed below. Or any others you can think of! It’s not too hard to imitate a flavor you’ve seen in the store, or to create your own with whatever you have on hand.

Suggested flavor additions
1T cumin, smoked paprika, za'atar, or any other spice you love
citrus zest
spinach, arugula, or other greens
yogurt
jalapeño or other chiles
tomatoes
olives

*You can use canned chickpeas, but it’s also quite easy to make chickpeas (and any other bean) in the slow cooker. This way you can buy them from the bulk section and have absolutely no packaging! To cook chickpeas, add to slow cooker and cover with water. Cook on low for approximately 6 hours. If you’re making hummus with them, it doesn’t matter if they’re a bit overdone.

I’d say I’m a relatively competent individual. I’m saying this not at all to self-aggrandize but rather because it’s relevant to the the advice I plan to give in this post. So about me: I graduated college, have a masters’ degree, have kept a few steady jobs, pay bills, usually get places on time. I make mistakes like everyone but I’m pretty good at keeping track of belongings, going to required medical appointments, making my kids’ lunches, buying groceries.

But here’s the catch: I’m a slow mover. I don’t do things very quickly. For a long time, I didn’t like this about myself. I tried to speed myself up. I hurried. I cut corners. Until more recently, when I had a revelation. Or maybe I just reminded myself of some wisdom others have been sharing forever:

Life is a journey, not a destination.

In the past year or so, I’ve made a conscious decision to slow down. And this seemingly small choice, just deciding not to rush, has decreased stress in my life dramatically.

Stress is terrible for our well-being. And I’m convinced, for me at least, there’s a direct correlation between feeling rushed and feeling stressed. When I’m feeling pressed for time I snap at my kids. I forget things. My blood pressure rises. It’s just not good all-around.

So I started telling myself to just slow down. To take my time, as has always been my nature. To do this, of course, you have to allot extra time to do things or get places. So that’s just what I do. If I need to be somewhere at 9am and I know it takes 10 minutes to get there, I leave the house at 8:30. Sure, you could say I’m wasting time by getting there early, but is stopping to breath some fresh air or check my Instagram really time "wasted?”

Of course, I recognize, this isn’t always possible. People have places to be and things to do. But whenever possible, I give myself and my family a little extra time to do what we need to do or to get where we need to be, and I think we’re all happier and more relaxed when we take this approach.

Happy weekend all! I hope you all have a moment to slow down.

Yesterday, at Sprouts grocery store, I saw more people than ever shopping the bulk section with cloth bags! Fantastic! I was delighted, and give huge props to Sprouts: they’ve started selling their own cloth bags and are using marketing to encourage their use.

However, people seemed confused about how to mark the PLU number on their bulk items. A few were using twist ties (wasteful!) while others were writing the numbers on their grocery lists. I offered up my washable marker once or twice, and the recipients seemed slightly perplexed at why I cared about their grocery shopping experience, but also grateful.

My point here is, even whey you’re trying to reduce your waste, there can be a lot of logistical roadblocks. So to keep things as simple as possible, here’s my 10-step guide to buying low waste groceries:

• one // Make a list. Divide it into sections:

  • bulk items

  • produce

  • deli

  • “middle of the store” items
    

• two // At home, gather your materials:

  • cloth bags for produce and bulk

  • a washable marker

  • large reusable grocery bags

  • empty glass milk containers (if applicable)

  • a couple sturdy containers for the deli counter (if desired)
    

• three // Go to the store. Walk or bike if you can!
  

• four // Stop in the bulk section for any products that were on your list. You want to make sure you have enough bags for the things you really need. Use your washable marker to write the PLU code in large numbers on the outside of the bag, and then fill with the desired amount.
  

• five // Shop produce. When you’re putting your produce in the cart, place it away from your bulk items so any moisture from the produce doesn’t touch the washable marker on your bulk bags. Put things in reusable produce bags if they fall into one of these four categories:

  • You’re buying several of one item (eg. apples or oranges); this will help the cashier weigh them.

  • You’re going to eat the outside of the item and don’t want to wash it (I put many items directly in my cart: cucumbers, cabbage, apples, peppers… but I wash them before eating).

  • You’re buying different types of a similar food. For example, I like to try many kinds of tangerines and oranges. It can get confusing for the cashier if they have to sort by type. (And sometimes you might be charged more if they lump them all together under the code for the most expensive type!)

  • The item is delicate. Such as lettuce and other greens, broccoli, stone fruits, pears, mushrooms, etc.
    

• six // Shop the middle of the store for low-waste items such as:

  • Pasta in cardboard boxes.

  • Legumes and other items in aluminum cans.

  • Sauces, salsas, and juice in glass containers.

  • Beverages in cans.
    

• seven // Return to the bulk section to use up your remaining bags (as desired). Look for items you commonly eat that are on sale or other new treats you might want to try. The beauty of bulk is you don’t have to buy very much. I often get just a handful of something new to see how we like it.
  

• eight // Go to the deli counter and politely request they put your meat or cheese in your own container(s). I’ve never had anyone say “no” to me here in Denver, but I’ve heard it can be difficult in other cities depending on their health codes and ordinances. I do, however, stay close by and watch carefully to refuse any plastic they might slip in. Often the deli worker feels weird about putting the sticker directly on my container so they try to put it on a plastic bag and hand that to me. Obviously, this defeats the purpose, so just enthusiastically tell them they can stick it right to your container!
  

• nine // Hit up the dairy section for milk, eggs, butter, etc. I buy local dairy milk in reusable glass bottles. I always check the back of the fridge for ones with later expiration dates. I also buy two cartons 18 eggs every time I go to the store. Eggs keep for a long time. Butter is unfortunately hard to buy without packaging. I buy the biggest package available; sometimes you can get a pound of butter in one wrapper instead of 4 individually-wrapped sticks.
  

• ten // Check out. Watch carefully so the cashier doesn’t put a rubber band on your eggs or put something in a plastic bag. Sometimes they have questions or comments about my reusable bags, but usually they just figure it out. I assume they experience all kinds of quirky behavior with patrons!

I’m always up for talking about all things low waste with anyone who is interested. I know many people who want to decrease the plastic in their lives, particularly in their kitchens, but are unsure how to get rid of it completely. The “final frontier” for many seems to be figuring out how to de-plastic their food storage in the refrigerator.

This has definitely been my journey: I figured out how to buy food without plastic, but then once I was home, I would put my carrots or salad greens in a (reused) plastic bag or plastic container to store them. But in the past 6 months, after reading more about the health concerns of plastic, I’ve been working to de-plasticize my fridge. With some trial and error, I’ve figured out methods that work. There once was a time when we stored food for long periods of time without plastic. It is possible, people!

I also recently discovered the amazing website Save The Food. It’s devoted to ways to minimize food waste, which is a HUGE problem. Their section on storing food is phenomenal; they give lots of plastic-free storage solutions. Search by item! And don’t waste your food.

But to save you some time, here’s a quick rundown of how I’ve been storing produce without plastic (alphabetized by item):

Apples // Leave loose in the crisper.

Broccoli // Cut stalks at the bottom and submerge in water to store in fridge. I use a loaf baking pan.

Brussels Sprouts // Store in the fridge in an open container such as a jar, bowl, or breathable bag.

Carrots // Submerge in water and store in the fridge. I use a baking pan.

Celery // Give stalks a fresh cut and then stand upright in a jar with water in the fridge.

Corn cobs // Wrap in a damp towel and store in fridge for 1-2 days.

Cucumbers // Wrap in a damp cloth and keep away from apples in the fridge.

Green beans // Store in the fridge in an open container such as a jar, bowl, or breathable bag.

Green onions/scallions // Put in a breathable bag or open container.

Kale, lettuce, chard, herbs // Wash leaves and give bottoms a fresh cut. Store upright in a pint glass or jar, as you would flowers in vase. Keep in fridge.

Mushrooms // Store in a breathable bag or open container. Use ASAP.

Radishes // Wash and cut off greens. Put in the fridge in an open jar with just a bit of water in the bottom.

What are your tricks and tips? Please share!

Changing your consumption habits is often massively complicated by the large corporations that dominate the retail landscape. Big “box stores” and major chains seems to sell everything in plastic or other non-recyclable packaging. To decrease your waste, seek out the smaller, local retailer. The one who cares about not only their bottom line, but also the earth. Although, they do, probably care about their bottom line, they just know there’s a great market out there for people who want high-quality produce that aren’t super bad for the environment!

Anyway! Here are some great spots to get zero-waste supplies in Denver:

Joyfill // 3842 Tennyson Street / Berkeley
Lots of beauty products. Soaps. Kitchen and bathroom supplies. Fantastic owner.

The Zero Market (inside Stanley Marketplace) // 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora, CO 80010
All the things, minus food. Essential oils. Soaps. Bath + beauty. Teas. Kombucha. Containers. They make many of their own products, too, like deodorant and toothpaste.

Homefill (inside Modern Nomad) // 2936 Larimer Street / River North
Beauty, cleaning, and household products. And pet treats! This RiNo spot is convenient for urbanites to fill-up, since many other stores are outside the city center.

Eco Mountain Modern Living // 4350 Alcott Street / Sunnyside
Not strictly refill; they stock a range of “eco-friendly, toxic-free and sustainable products.”

Capital Tea // 1450 S Broadway / Capital Hill
Tea! Get your own tea ball or pot and enjoy loose tea without plastic. Did you know almost all tea bags (even those that don’t look like it) contain plastic?

Sprouts Farmers Markets // various locations
My favorite bulk section for food. They’re increasing products all the time are are very receptive to customers bringing their own bags or jars. Some products are only available in organic or non-organic. Great spices too and some teas.

Lucky’s Market // 3545 Wadsworth Boulevard / Wheat Ridge
Ok, if this was closer to my house it would definitely beat out Sprouts. Fantastic bulk section! Most containers are pull down ones, which makes filling up cloth bags or jars very easy. They carry some foods you can’t find elsewhere like specialty flours, orzo, dates, soybeans, and candy.

Whole Foods // various locations
WF is ok for bulk. It varies a lot by location. Union Station is great for bread and meat, but their grains etc. is limited. Check your local store.

Mouthfuls Pet Store // 4224 Tennyson Street / Berkeley
Pet treats!

Food waste is a massive problem in the United States (and in many other countries). A recent study reports that on average, each American wastes a whole pound of food every day. There are so many problems with wasting food, but if it’s not being composted, it’s especially bad.

Landfills are not aerated for organic matter to break down. Therefore any natural waste in a landfill creates methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times as potent as carbon dioxide. According to the (pre-Trump) Environmental Protection Agency, landfills account for 34% of all methane emissions in the U.S., meaning any un-composted organic matter is contributing to climate change. And in case you haven’t heard, the forecast for the earth’s future is a toss-up between bad and terrible.

For a few years now, I’ve been patting myself on the back for composting all our food scraps. But lately I’ve realized, there’s actually more I can do. For centuries, people used up nearly 100% of all food products out of necessity. But today, some of us are lucky enough to enjoy an economic position where we have the luxury to throw away food.

I’ve been trying to find ways to use up more of my food scraps. This winter I’ve gotten really into making candied orange peels. I save the peels in a container in the fridge, and once I have enough I make a batch which lasts for a couple weeks. They’re delicious plain, on yogurt, or even on ice cream! They’re not going to save the world (unfortunately!), but they’re saving me money, and if you don’t have access to compost, this is a great way to reduce your methane footprint!

Candied Citrus Peels

~4 cups of citrus peels (oranges, blood oranges, tangerines, lemons, pomelos…)
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/4 fresh lemon juice

one/ Slice the peels to desired size. This might be strips or bite-sized chunks. It’s good if you leave a little of the fruit on the peel, but if you’ve consumed the whole fruit, that’s fine too!

two/ Boil a large pot of water. Once boiling, add the peels and boil for 2 minutes. Then drain the peels in a colander and rinse with cold water. Repeat this process twice more (3 times total). It’s important to do this so the peels aren’t too bitter.

three/ Rinse the pot and add the 4 cups of water. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add the peels, cover, and reduce the heat so that the syrup simmers very gently for 1.5-2 hours. Stir occasionally during this time.

four/ Once the peels are soft, remove from the heat and let the peel sit in the syrup at room temperature overnight (~10 hours).

five/ The next day, spoon the peels and the syrup into a jar with a tight lid. Store in the fridge.

six / If you want dried candied peels, remove pieces from the syrup and lay them on a rack or plate until they are the desired texture. Store in a jar in the cupboard.

Note: I’ve tried reducing the amount of sugar, and the result is very meh. I recommend using the full 2 cups of sugar!

There was a fantastic piece on Colorado Public Radio earlier this week about recycling. CPR and two listeners went to the Alpine Waste and Recycling facility and talked with Brent Hildebrand, the Vice President of Recycling.

My friends regularly ask me about whether or not they can recycle X. The tricky thing is that the answer is highly dependent on where you live and what facilities your city has. When we had a friend from Germany visit a few years ago, she was shocked we couldn’t recycle potato chip bags!

To summarize some of the info in the CPR piece, combined with questions I think are on the minds of many, here are my top 10 recycling tips for DENVER. Chances are the system in your city is similar, but not identical. For example, Denver is one of the only cities in the US that can recycle coffee cups! (But you should still ditch disposable cups for a real one!)

10 Tips for Effective Recycling (in Denver):

one/ Clean it. But just a little. Jars and cans don’t need to be 100% free of food residue, but they should be lightly rinsed and empty of all food. A can half full of beans will be problematic for recycling machines, but a bit of nut butter residue is no big deal.

two/ Take off caps if they’re made from a different material than the container. Remove metal lids from jars. Remove plastic caps from glass bottles (like soy sauce). Plastic tops can stay on plastic bottles.

three/ Plastic smaller than 2 inches will not be recycled even if it has the recycle symbol on it. Small caps, contact lens cases, tiny toys, etc. are filtered out during the recycling process and go to landfill.

four/ “Extra” plastic doesn’t need to be removed, but it won’t be recycled. Plastic windows on envelopes or plastic film on the outside of a jar or bottle don’t need to be removed before you place the item in your recycling bin. However, this non-recyclable plastic will be filtered out during the sorting process, so it’ll end up in the landfill.

five/ Random metal is generally not accepted in single-stream recycling. Aluminum cans are HIGHLY recyclable and a fantastically sustainable material. Aluminum and tin cans are pretty much the only type of metal you can throw in your single-stream (purple) bin. All other metals need to be taken to a special facility.

six/ SOLO cups are not recyclable. Find some reusables for your next game of beer pong. Many single-use plastic cups are not recyclable. Try out bringing your own cup when you go out!

seven/ “Compromised” paper cannot be recycled. Think: pizza boxes or glittered paper. Paper gets turned into a pulp to make new paper, so if the paper is soiled this process won’t work. Remove embellishments on your kids’ art projects before recycling. Remove the greasy parts of food containers (they’re compostable) and recycle what’s clean. Similarly, very lightweight paper (tissues, paper towels, napkins, tissue paper) is too far down the paper chain to be recycled. It’s compostable.

eight/ You can never recycle plastic film or bags in your curbside bin, even if they have the recycling symbol on them. Recycling gets extra confusing because companies want you to think their packaging is recyclable. Manufacturers will throw a recycling sign on their packaging even if it’s not accepted in single-stream systems. For example, this dumpling bag pictured has a recycling symbol on the bag, but it’s from China, so of course they don’t know what our recycling system is like! In Denver, and most cities in the US, plastic film and bags have to be take to special facilities to be recycled. They’re a terrible problem for recycling plants like Alpine, so don’t put them in your bin!

nine/ Most shipping materials are not recyclable. Amazon has gotten some bad press lately for it’s bubble mailers. They’re using fewer boxes and more plastic wrap which is obviously terrible. Try to combine orders to increase the chance it’ll ship in a box (or better yet, just buy local as much as possible!). As for the plastic packaging you receive, the best bet is to reuse or to take them to a drop off location (find out where these are by Googling the info on the packaging).

ten/ Research your options for recycling “hard to recycle” materials. There are many drop off locations for these items. Things like clothing, technology, metals, styrofoam, and much more can be reused if you find the right place to take them. I’m planning to eventually put more info about this right here on my site, but in the meantime Google is your friend. If you can’t reuse it, try to find a new home for it before you throw it in the trash!

Denver Recycles has a great searchable directory to tell you how to dispose of anything you’re unsure about!

Ok, what did I miss? Recycling is incredibly complex. What materials puzzle you?