Published: April 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Susan Schwartzkopf

These days it seems everyone is talking about how we can make our households more “green,” but many of us find it tough to change our everyday routines. We have become so comfortable with just throwing everything in a trash can that it can seem like a monumental task to start recycling. Here are some simple suggestions for setting up a recycling program in your home and a few tips on how, what and where to recycle in the Upstate.

The Basics

Curbside recycling. Contact your local trash collection company and sign up for curbside recycling if it is available. In some areas it is offered for free, in other areas there is a small monthly charge. The company will drop off a recycling bin at your home and provide everything you need to know about pickup schedules and what materials are accepted. It's important to note that curbside recycling is limited to materials such as aluminum and steel cans, paper products (including newspapers, phone books, junk mail and white paper) and some plastics. The good news: typically there's no sorting required. It doesn't get much easier than that!

Recycling centers. If you live in a more rural area and curbside recycling is not an option, find out where the closest place is that will accept recyclables. There are more than 20 drop-off locations scattered across Greenville County. Even if you use a curbside recycling service, you'll want to know where you can drop off items that aren't among the “acceptable items” for curbside service. The service in my area accepts only paper, plastic and aluminum so I collect glass bottles and jars in a crate that fits nicely in the trunk of my car. When the crate is full, I drop the contents off at the recycling center just down the road.

In all cases, lids and tops should be removed from jars, jugs and bottles, since they are made of different materials, and newspapers should be left loose, not tied with string or placed in bags.

Take it to the next level

Once you've incorporated recycling cans, bottles, paper and glass containers into your routine, you can move to the next level. Here are a few tips for recycling many additional household items that otherwise may end up in a landfill near you.

Batteries. Take used alkaline batteries to Lowe's or Home Depot for recycling. Automotive and marine batteries may be taken to the city of Greenville's Stone Avenue recycling location or to one of Greenville County's Residential Waste and Recycling Centers.

Books. While all recycling centers accept books as “paper,” consider donating your used books to a local organization that will put them to good use. Contact:

• Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100

• Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099

• Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931

• Salvation Army: 864-235-4803

• Greenville Literacy Association 864-467-3456

Cell phones. You've likely noticed a cell phone collection box in some public place recently. There's no time like now to drop off the used cell phones collecting in your junk drawer. AT&T and Verizon retail locations accept old cell phones. Safe Harbor in Greenville also accepts cell phones that will hold a charge for their “Safe Cell” program. You may also recycle old cell phones at the city of Greenville's Stone Avenue location or Greenville County's Residential Waste and Recycling Centers.

Computer components. Do you have an old computer stashed in your closet because you don't know what to do with it? Goodwill Industries accepts computers, monitors, keyboards and printers at their Simpsonville location or you may take these items to the Greenville County Residential Waste and Recycling Center, Enoree, O'Neal, Blackberry Valley and Piedmont locations.

Fluorescent light bulbs. While the new compact fluorescent light bulbs seem to last forever, they do burn out eventually. Home Depot accepts unbroken CFL bulbs for recycling and Greenville County also accepts them at the Residential Waste and Recycling Centers and the Twin Chimneys Landfill.

Magazines. Throwing your old magazines in the trash is an easy habit to break. Many local churches, elementary schools, health clubs, doctors offices and hospitals will take magazines in good condition. You can also recycle magazines at the curb or at any of the local recycling centers.

Packaging. Stop and think before tossing those foam packing materials into the trash. Packing peanuts are reusable at our local UPS Stores. Check with the store manager — they often accept large foam blocks and bubble wrap, too.

Paint. If you have usable latex paint (no rusty cans, please,) you may take the paint to one of the Greenville County Residential Waste and Recycling Centers or the Twin Chimneys landfill paint swapping station.

The master

Once you've mastered the art of recycling nearly everything that previously went to the landfill, what's next? Start composting. We throw away massive amounts of grass, leaves, branches and other yard clippings each year and then spend massive amounts of money on fertilizers, soil amendments and mulch to enhance our lawns and gardens. For the average American family, composting can result in 300 or more pounds of finished compost each year — compost that can be used as a fertilizer, soil amendments or mulch. . An easy way to start is to buy a compost bin. Bins will be available for only $45 at the annual compost bin sale being held April 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Whole Foods parking lot on Woodruff Road.

If you have not yet begun recycling, now is a great time to get started. Recycling just a few items goes a long way toward adopting a greener lifestyle. If you've already mastered the basics, add more items and really start thinking about everything you throw in the trash. After a little practice, you will be sending less trash to the landfill and more items to the recycling center and you will be a part of the “green” revolution!