Minimalism: What role does recycling play?

As the Marie Kondo craze sweeps the nation with her new show on Netflix and spring cleaning is beginning due to the upcoming change of season, tidying up may be on your brain. While this looks different for everyone, maybe for you this means getting rid of clutter that’s been sitting around. Maybe it means getting new furniture to replace the old to create a more minimalized and appealing space. Whatever it is, the trend of minimalism and tidying up is catching on.

To minimalize means to make something minimal. When it comes to our homes and offices, what does this mean getting rid of? Today we’ll discuss some common things to get rid of during a cleaning spree and how to decide what can be recycled and what can’t. At Gold Circuit E-Cycling, we believe in recycling any and all materials that can be. We know it’s not always as easy as just going to the recycling bin, which is why our business works for people at any stage in their recycling process. We do the work for you! Read on to find out about some common items that you may be getting rid of that you may not know can be recycled!

Decluttering Old Electronics

If you find yourself looking through your home office or an old cabinet and coming across electronics like computers, TVs, or gaming systems that are just taking up space, don’t be quick to throw them away. Our facility can recycle e-waste and disassemble it down to the basic components. Once they’re disassembled, it’s then sorted and separated to recycle what we can. As a safety feature, we also offer hard drive destruction so you can rest assured knowing your data is safe.

Getting New Furniture

While the idea of adding new furniture to your home may sound like the opposite of minimalism, they can have a purpose. For example, some people might opt for matching couches or coffee tables with storage built in to help rid the space of clutter. If you’ve got mismatching furniture that you’ve collected over the years, it can create a bit of a chaotic look which can go against the art of minimalism. If you’re beginning to create a more uniformed and minimalistic look through getting new furniture, have you thought about what you’re going to do with the old items yet?

It might be tempting to take them to the dump for easy disposal, but there’s a better way. Don’t let them sit in a dump for years and years. We can take your old furniture – including desks, chairs, recliners, couches, and dressers – and remove any steel that exists and further recycle the wood and materials that remain. If you want to read more about what it looks like to recycle mattresses, you can read more here. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have. We’d love to help you make the right choice for your recycling your furniture.

Out with The Old Materials

If you’re an Amazon-ordering superstar or maybe just have accumulated a large number of documents, we’ve got you covered. Rather than tossing boxes and papers into trash bags as you clean, recycle them responsibly. We’re able to collect corrugated cardboard on site where it is baled and sent to the paper mill. From there, it’s recycled into paper napkins. Your boxes get to go on to live another day and your home gets free from all the clutter they bring! With papers, we don’t just recycle them, we shred them. Our NAID Certified Partner Valley Green Shredding will provide document shredding for $.89 a pound. Get rid of the clutter in a responsible way that keeps your sensitive information safe.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to reduce the amount of trash you produce in general, you can learn more here. We’re committed to getting you the right tools you need to make the choice that is best for your home and for our environment. Amidst the trend of minimalism, make sure you’re making the responsible decision about how to clear your space in the process.

Have questions? We’re here to help. Give us a call at 888-283-0007

Want more info on pricing? You can visit us online here to find out more.

Recycling Mattresses

Mattresses are something you’ll find in most homes. There’s a reason why many people only see and sleep on a few mattresses in their lives. For one, mattresses are an investment. Another factor is that mattresses are a large, bulky item. While you may not notice it while you’re sleeping and in the daily notions of life, you’ll definitely notice when it’s time to dispose of a mattress. There isn’t really a set guideline for when to get a new mattress, and the timing will change for everyone. Once you decide that you need a new mattress, do you know what your options are for disposing of it? First, let’s begin with some indicators that the time has come to dispose your current mattress.

Some common scenarios you may experience that signal it’s time for a new mattress are:

• You wake up feeling tired and/or achy on most days.
• Your mattress feels less than comfortable. Maybe it’s too hard, too lumpy, or too saggy.
• If you’re getting older and recognizing that your body is having new pains or having new trouble sleeping.
• If you’ve tried rotating your mattress (if it’s double-sided) and it doesn’t help.
• If you feel like you’re sinking in a hole shaped like your body every time you crawl into bed.

The Recycling Choice

So you’ve made up your mind. It’s time for a new mattress. What this also means is that it’s time for a plan to get rid of the old one. While it may be tempting to take your old mattress to the nearest landfill or leave it outside the dumpster in your neighborhood, did you know that mattresses are actually recyclable? In fact, over 80% of the materials in a mattress can be recycled but aren’t. The thing about recycling a mattress is that it takes time, knowledge, and correct equipment. You can’t throw it in the recycling dumpster and trust it’ll be handled.

At Gold Circuit E-Cycling, mattress recycling is one of our specialties. We are able to take mattresses and box springs and recycle the parts that can be recycled. Mattresses are layers and should be recycled just the same. Our team cuts mattresses open and separates into the various layers that go on to live out new purposes. The Polyurethane Foam and Grey Felt Blankets are used for later baling, the Metal springs are recycled into scrap steel, and the wood and mattress toppers are sent to wood/textile recyclers. Some wood is recycled and used as a fuel source. The foam padding can be used to make carpet underlayment or animal bed pads, amongst other things. We ensure that the process is handled from start to finish, completing all we’re able to in-house to make sure your disposal is environmentally-conscious and effective.

The Cost to Recycle Mattresses

Our price for each mattress and box spring is $20.00 per piece. Not only will this save you fees from going to the landfill, but you will also have peace of mind knowing that you are making a decision that is kind to the environment. You are helping 80% of the mattress go on to serve other purposes and get reused somewhere new. By recycling, you’re helping to aid in the conservation of resources.

As a note, please be advised that we can only accept mattresses that are clean, dry, and free from any insects, bedbugs, etc. We reserve the right to turn away any mattress we feel could be contaminated.

Making the Choice

Statistics show that on average, 50,000 mattresses end up in landfills every day. By choosing to take your old mattress to Gold Circuit E-Cycling for proper recycling, you can cut down that number and make a difference. We know disposing of a mattress isn’t fun, but we’re here to make it as easy as possible for you.

Have questions? Want to talk about how recycling your mattress is the best option for you? Give us a call today at 888-283-0007.

Reducing The Amount of Trash You Produce

On average, each American produces more than 4 pounds of trash per day. Sounds shocking, right? With that being said, only 37% of that amount is actually recycled. The rest goes on to live its days at a landfill. So, what can you do about this? There are actually many things that consumers can do to not only reduce the amount of trash they produce, but also to help the environment. Today, we’re outlining some practical ways to reduce the amount of trash you produce so that you can do yourself and the environment a favor!

1) Create a Solid Recycling System in Your Home

If something is right in front of you, it’s easier to not ignore. Do you have a recycling system set up in your home? Maybe it’s separate bins for recycled versus trash, or maybe it’s a compost pile (which we’ll cover later). Either way, get the family or roommates on board and make a recycling plan. Have you read through our website for items we can recycle? You may not even know that we can take care of household items like furniture and old electronics. Next time you go to throw something away, take a moment to think about it. Is this something that you can recycle either on your own or with our help, or is this something that belongs at the landfill?

2) Improve the Recycling System in Your Office

While we may make recycling and reduction of waste in our home a priority, it’s essential to make sure this also transfers into our life outside of the home. Does your office or place of work have a good recycling system in place or does everything go in one bin and head to the landfill? If you’re not sure, talk to your Human Resources contact to get the right information for whom to talk to about this topic. You might think that just one person wouldn’t have a large effect, but you can cause a ripple effect amongst your co-workers!

3) Start Composting

One way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to a landfill is through starting a compost pile. Things you normally might put in the trash, such as fruit and vegetable pieces, old plants, and leaves and grass from your yard, can be made into a new concoction perfect for your soil. Composting allows you to reduce the amount of trash you produce while helping your garden. If you don’t personally garden, you can get in touch with someone who does. Learn more about creating a compost pile here.

4) Invest in Reusable items

When you think about the amount of things you throw away each day, how much of it is one-time use plastic? Things like grocery bags are easily replaced with reusable bags that you can keep in your car and take with you on your next shopping trip. If you find yourself realizing you and your family use a lot of plastic bags for food and other small items, try investing in reusable silicone sandwich and snack bags. Another way to reduce your consumption is by carrying a reusable water bottle around with you to limit the amount of disposable water bottles you go through.

If you go out to eat frequently, consider bringing your own reusable containers with you. For example, if you go out to Starbucks for coffee every morning, bring your own reusable travel mug rather than going through a plastic or paper cup a day. If you eat out at restaurants you know you will have leftovers from, try bringing your own reusable container to take them home rather than bringing home Styrofoam.

Small changes like buying items in glass jars versus plastic containers can make a big impact on your consumption as well. If you enjoy reading the newspaper each day or getting a monthly magazine, try switching to an online version instead. No matter what your interests are, there are multitudes of ways to cut down on the trash you produce and help our environment.

5) Always Keep Learning

New ways of doing things happen all the time. It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest in recycling and ways to reduce our consumption of waste. Follow along with us on Instagram and Facebook for tips, tricks, and information on being more conscious of what you put out into the world. You can also read through past blog posts to find more details on certain subjects and how you can recycle things you may have never thought of.

It’s important that we all do our part. One small step forward can cause a huge change in your trash production. Imagine if we all took small steps forward.

Have questions? We’re here to help in any way we can. We’re passionate about what we do and look forward to helping you and your family recycle more and contribute less to your nearest landfill.