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Natural Awakenings Charlotte

Do Not Be a Wishful Recycler in Mecklenburg County

Living by the motto “When in doubt throw it out,” creates anxiety for the eco-conscious but wishful recycling produces tremendous challenges and is very costly. It is much better to reduce or change consumption habits to decrease household waste.

Unacceptable items damage machines, injure workers and start fires. Mecklenburg County spends over $1.6 million per year to sort out and haul away non-recyclables that residents place in curbside recycling carts. Remember to drop off plastic bags at retail collection locations for proper recycling and never bag your recyclables. Recycling carts should only contain clean, empty and loose accepted items.

Please trash, compost or repurpose these items (Don’t try to recycle them):

 

  • Yogurt cups and dairy tubs
  • Clamshells: lettuce, berries etc.
  • Aluminum foil, pans and tins
  • Paper towels, tissue, napkins
  • Plastic zip pouches
  • Furnace filters
  • Anything made of these materials:

Foam, rubber, vinyl, wood, ceramic, crystal, stone, rope, cloth

For local information on waste disposal options, visit WipeOutWaste.com. To attend Recycle Right and Waste Reduction presentations, email [email protected].


Recycle Right Meck County - start Oct 17 2020 1100AM

Recycle Right Meck County - start: Oct 17, 2020 11:00AM

An interactive presentation and dialogue with Mecklenburg County residents on how to Recycle Right. The program is about 40 minutes, but typically requires an extra 15 minutes for questio... Read More » 

 

Beyond Recycling Basics 7 Rs of Waste Reduction - start Nov 19 2020 1200PM

Beyond Recycling Basics: 7 R's of Waste Reduction - start: Nov 19, 2020 12:00PM

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste is offering a waste reduction webinar.Many in the community have already attended a Recycle Right presentation and wanted an opportunity to discuss waste re... Read More » 

 

Robust Recycling How Mecklenburg Supports by Educating Residents

Robust Recycling: How Mecklenburg Supports by Educating Residents

Jeff Smithberger is the Director of Solid Waste Management for Mecklenburg County. He and his team are responsible for the guidance and management of the County’s solid waste programs and... Read More » 

 

Guest Blog Jeff Smithberger with Solid Waste FAQs

Guest Blog: Jeff Smithberger with Solid Waste FAQs

Jeff Smithberger, Director Mecklenburg Solid Waste, has answers to the County's 7 most frequently asked solid waste questions Read More » 

 

Natural Awakenings Charlotte - October 2020
Enjoy the October 2020 edition of Natural Awakenings Charlotte. Read More »
Discounted Red Light Therapy Now Available at Ahlara
As a leader in the field of health and well-being, Ahlara International, located in Mooresville, is offering cutting-edge red-light therapy at a 50 percent discount through the end of 2020. Read More »
Do Not Be a Wishful Recycler in Mecklenburg County
Living by the motto “When in doubt throw it out,” creates anxiety for the eco-conscious but wishful recycling produces tremendous challenges and is very costly. It is much better to reduce or change consumption habits to decrease household waste. Read More »
Earth Fare Opens Five Stores in the Charlotte Area
Charlotte area stores currently open include the Southpark location at 721 Governor Morrison Street and Rock Hill, SC location at 725 Cherry Road, Ste. 110. The remaining three to open by the end of this year Read More »
Hear Candidates Live and Recorded for Election Q&A
Voters will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear candidate’s positions in preparation for the November 3 general election and early voting from October 15 to 31 Read More »
READER SPOTLIGHT: Why I read Natural Awakenings Magazine
Many moons ago, before our lives digitally fused and social distancing was just rude, I depended monthly on Natural Awakenings for success at my job. Read More »
Robust Recycling: How Mecklenburg Supports by Educating Residents
Jeff Smithberger is the Director of Solid Waste Management for Mecklenburg County. He and his team are responsible for the guidance and management of the County’s solid waste programs and services, including recycling. Read More »
Wishing you a particularly intentional October
Letter from Publisher of Natural Awakenings Charlotte - Shannon McKenzie Read More »
Healthy Breakfast
A Better Breakfast: Healthy Tips and Recipes to Start the Day
Healthy alternatives to the high sugar and carbohydrates found in most traditional breakfast foods, including recipes for oats, toast, muffins and more to start your day off right. Read More »
Apple iPhone
Apple Seeks 2030 Carbon Neutrality
Apple, Inc., the maker of the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers, has committed to becoming 100 percent carbon neutral overall, from its supply chain to retail outlets, by 2030. Read More »
Deep Sea Fish
Blackest Fish in the Sea Aid Scientific Research
Scientists have found that the skin of deep-sea fish absorbs more than 99.95 percent of the light that hits them, aiding research in ultra-black substances for sensitive optical equipment. Read More »
Calm, Stress-Free Individual
Calm Down: Taming the Flames of Stress-Related Illness
Stress can be harmful to our overall health. Here are lifestyle changes to release trauma and relieve stress through diet, safe herbal remedies, gentle energy modalities and more. Read More »
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Cancer-Free Pets: Five Ways to Help Keep Them Healthy
Practical nutrition and lifestyle tips to help protect and prevent a dog or cat from developing cancer as well as symptoms that pet owners need to be aware of. Read More »
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Crisp Overnight Oats Recipe
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Crisp Overnight Oats
This recipe for overnight oats with caramel apple cinnamon crisp is a great dessert/breakfast mix that’s healthy and delicious, including a caramel sauce using dates. Read More »
Cauliflower Hash Egg Muffins Recipe
Cauliflower Hash Egg Muffins
This is a healthier, low-calorie alternative to the classic breakfast of hash browns and eggs, and more nutritious, too, because cauliflower is packed with fiber, minerals and vitamins. Read More »
Staying Connected Virtually During the Pandemic
Coronavirus as a Calling
The pandemic can be transmuted into golden opportunities if we look for purpose and meaning in it. Here are four ways to respond to the call of these turbulent times. Read More »
Patient Suffering from Depression and Anxiety
Ease Depression and Anxiety with Probiotics
Studies find that probiotics can help to reduce depression and anxiety as well improve cognitive reaction time. Read More »
Fruits Vegetables Whole Grains
Eat Fruit, Veggies and Whole Grains to Lower Diabetes Risk
Two new studies find that the risk of diabetes can be decreased by consuming a diet full of fruit, veggies and whole grains. Read More »
Electronic Waste
Electronic Waste is Out of Control
According to a recent report on e-waste, a record 53.6 million metric tons of electronics were discarded in 2019 and could likely increase to 74.7 million tons per year by 2030. Read More »
Newborn Baby
Falling Fertility Rate Threatens World Stability
The global total fertility rate (TFR) nearly halved from 1950 levels, when women had an average of 4.7 children each, to 2.4 in 2017, and it could fall below 1.7 by the turn of the century. Read More »
Plate of Avocado and Beets
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Research finds that avocados can speed recovery after exercise while beet root juice improves muscular endurance. Read More »
Mark Nepo on Living a Wholehearted Life
Bestselling author, poet, cancer survivor and inspirational spiritual teacher Mark Nepo discusses his latest book, The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters. Read More »
Oarweed Kelp
Oarweed Odyssey: Scottish Kelp Provides Clues to Climate Change
Experts have discovered kelp that has survived for 16,000 years since the last ice age and are hopeful that this find will show how marine plant life survives extreme changes in climate. Read More »
BPA Shopping Receipts
Paperless Shopping: BPA Exposure from Store Receipts
Despite health risks, BPA-laden thermal receipts continue to be used widely in the retail industry. Here are ways to eliminate or reduce BPA exposure from receipts when shopping. Read More »
Wetlands Bird
Record Methane Emissions Driven by Agriculture and Fossil Fuels
A worldwide inventory of methane sources reveals that atmospheric levels of the heat-trapping greenhouse gas are at an all-time high due to agriculture, fossil fuels and landfill waste. Read More »
Salmon Cakes with Fennel and Parsnips Recipe
Salmon Cakes with Fennel & Parsnips
This gluten-free breakfast recipe for salmon cakes combines wild-caught salmon with fennel and parsnip vegetables for a healthy way to start the day. Read More »
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Stressed-Out Teens: Ways to Help Them Chill
With teenagers reporting record levels of stress, anxiety and depression, here are effective ways that parents can help to calm teens during stressful times. Read More »
Stretching Joints
Strong and Supple Joints: How to Keep Hips and Knees Happy
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Sweet Potato Toast with Avocado Recipe
Sweet Potato Toast with Avocado
Replace bread for toast using sweet potatoes with this healthy, gluten-free recipe for avocado toast. Top with eggs or go vegan and use tempeh. Read More »
Tai Chi Qigong Practice
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The many health benefits of tai chi, the modified martial art of gentle meditative movement, and qigong, the mind-body wellness system that uses breath, simple movement and stillness. Read More »
Cinnamon Sticks
Try Cinnamon to Reduce Migraines
According to a new study, cinnamon, long known to help blood sugar levels, can diminish migraine attacks. Read More »
Recycled Plastics
Wishful Recycling: What Not to Put in the Bin
"Wishful recycling" is when residents place waste items in the recycling bin that cannot be recycled. Here are ways to avoid wishful recycling with dos and don'ts for proper disposal. Read More »
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient
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Community Articles Local Interest Local Health Briefs October 2020

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