Ziploc Sustainability // DIY Recycling Box

Did you know that Ziploc® brand bags are recyclable? Don’t worry if you’re new to the game. When the brand approached me to help them shout the news from the rooftop (or from my blog, rather) I’m a little embarrassed to say that I wasn’t already privy to the concept. But now that I am, I’m so excited!! No, really!

I have always particularly despised tossing used Ziploc® bags, which make a steady rotation through my lunch bag when I head into my PT office job a couple of times each week. I tend to reuse the bags for as long as I possibly can, but I still feel a touch guilty every time I toss one—even three days later. So this newly discovered program is something I’m proud to help promote.

Here’s how it works. Every time you feel ready to toss your used Ziploc® bags (of any size!) simply rinse, let them dry and then collect them for disposal at any participating retailer—typically they can go in any of the bins marked for general plastic bag disposal. Participating retailers include places like Target and Wal-Mart, among others. You can get all of the details about the program on the Ziploc® Sustainability website.

To guarantee that John and I make the most of this program moving forward, I put together a simple DIY recycling box using all of the supplies you see pictured above: A cardboard tissue box cover (picked up for a couple of bucks at our local craft store), chalkboard paint, a paint brush and some chalk.

To complete, simply paint the tissue box cover with two to three coats of the black chalkboard paint and then use a piece of chalk to write out anything you think will be a motivator for family to slip recyclable Ziploc® bags into. I chose to draw out a succinct “Recycle,” but you could include more if you want, especially if you have young children who like the extra creativity/direction—maybe a drawing of the bag and an arrow? When the box gets full, empty the used bags into a plastic grocery bag and drop them off the next time you stop into a recycle location.

Oh, and although I had planned on using the mint-colored chalk snagged excitedly from the craft store, it ended up being too hard to read on the box. Instead I broke out my favorite washable white chalk marker to make sure the word “Recycle” was clearly legible.

Big thanks to Ziploc® for inviting me to be part of the campaign and I can’t wait to put it to good use. For more information, feel free to check out the Ziploc® Sustainability website right here,and don’t forget to follow along on the Ziploc® Facebook Page and Pinterest feed for more inspiration!

This post is in collaboration with Ziploc®. All ideas, words and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create fresh, authentic content like this on Dream Green DIY!

P.S. The 14 Days of Love giveaway event is still going strong! You have one more day to enter my giveaway (your choice of 8 B by Brandie dessert/app plates!) and the $200 Home Decorator’s gift card is still up for grabs over on Design Improvised. Today, the latest giveaway launched on Handmade Mood—an Instax camera!! Good luck everybody.