This can crusher device is just fantastic ... I only wish I could make things like this. Maybe every neighbourhood centre should have one ... !
Are recycling bins too small for some families? With collecting being done every two weeks instead of weekly, and say if you have a family of six, the question is being asked, are these bins big enough?
It could be a case of people not squashing down their materials enough, so here are a few of my tips
I have stood in my recycling bin several times, to squash it down, but of course, it isn't practical or safe for everyone to do that. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to end up in hospital. Plastic bottles and cans can be crushed, but if you want to avoid cutting your hands or ruining your shoes, look for a mechanical device.
There's some wonderful pneumatic or electric can crushers on YouTube at http://j.mp/16lLIvY if anyone fancies making one. There are many can crushers under a tenner on eBay. http://j.mp/16lLNzE
Here are a few things to consider about using a can crusher:
Space savings - Crushing cans allows you to store more in a smaller space, which is useful if you have limited garbage/recycling storage space. Compacting cans takes up less room in bins.
Transport savings - Crushed cans also take up less room during transport to recycling centres. This can help you fit more in each load.
Easier for recycling - Some recycling centres prefer or require cans to be crushed before collection so they take up less space during sorting/processing. Crushing makes the cans flatter and denser.
Handling convenience - Crushing cans makes them less messy and easier to handle when emptying bins. Flattened cans are less likely to puncture garbage bags.
Potential injuries - Can crushers have moving parts that could potentially pinch or cut fingers if safety precautions aren't followed carefully. Youth should use it under adult supervision.
Not always needed - If you have plenty of storage/bin space and your recycling centre doesn't require crushing, it may not provide much benefit over just recycling loose cans.
So in summary - for most homeowners with average storage/recycling needs, a can crusher is a good choice to save space and make transport/recycling easier. Just use proper safety techniques to avoid injuries from the crushing mechanism.
Other tips:
- Wash and squash, flatten cereal boxes.
- Stack and pack, - some plastic pots will stack, the ones that won't write to the manufacturers and ask them to redesign their products.
- Tear cardboard down to magazine size.
- Don't put recycling in plastic bags - you just create more work in the sorting process.
- If there is a handy piece of hardboard cut to fit on top of the inside of the recycling bin, you could press down on that.
The question is: are we wasting our time recycling? How do we know that you're not just tipping the whole lot into landfill?
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