Hearing about Thursday's "Take Your Mug to Work Day," sponsored by International Delight, reminded me to share one of the easiest ways to make a green change.

If you haven't guessed already, it's using a mug.

It's hard to get rid of perfectly good shoes ... even if they're not perfectly good anymore.

I know--I currently have about 4 pairs of old running shoes sitting at home that I never wear. That's not including the ones I keep around for camping or messy occasions.

Normally, I'd take them over to Goodwill or donate them elsewhere. The problem with these particular pieces of footwear is that the padding is worn through from running in 'em or they're pretty worn out in general.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Shedd Aquarium Beach Sweep this past Saturday! It was a ton of fun--and a huge success!

We even had a great day for it--until the rain came in at the very end. Thank goodness for those RedEye ponchos!

Here are the numbers from the garbage that was picked up, along with some of the strange things we found ...

I have countless cotton T-shirts at home. Some are in my dresser, others are in under-the-bed storage containers, and there are probably another dozen at my parents' house.

But, being the pack rat I am, I can't get rid of them for various sentimental reasons. The T-shirt we signed at the end of 5th grade; a gym uniform; marching band shirts corresponding to our show theme (don't laugh--marching band was awesome); race shirts; several variations on U. of I. shirts ... the list goes on.

So, instead of donating the ones you like, but never wear, here are 10 ways to repurpose your T-shirts:

I found out today that starting Oct. 21, San Franciscans will be required to have 3 bins: garbage, recycling ... and compost.

Yes, you read that right. Residents will have to throw their food scraps into the compost bin or face a fine.

Yet Chicago ranks No. 1 in green--buildings, at least. A good start, Mayor Daley, but why don't we start with the simple stuff first?

Need some help? Here are 4 cities that Chicago could learn from.

I obviously love newspapers, but there's always the dilemma of what to do with them after they've been read. Recycling them is a given, but it seems a shame to toss all that paper out without repurposing at least some of it first.

So, here are 10 ways you can reuse that newspaper before tossing it:

Origami is a good way to use some of that extra newspaper ...

While in Door County, Wis., this past weekend to watch a half Ironman triathlon, I had the pleasure of staying in a hotel with recycling bins.

By you, I mean 1) The people who visit the Chicago parks and beaches, then leave all their trash behind and 2) Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago for not having more recycling bins around the city.

Check it out, courtesy of the Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce Web site:

Wicker Park and Bucktown Shredding and Recycling Day

Gather your old financial records, canceled checks, credit card statements, love letters from your ex and watch them get destroyed in a matter of minutes, right before your very eyes. WPB has partnered with Secure EcoShred, a Chicago based woman-owned portable document destruction company, so you can have all of your sensitive paperwork shredded for free! There is a 3 box/bag limit; but you can have additional material shredded for $5 per box/bag.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 9:50 p.m.

I have a habit that I picked up from my mom: I save containers--mostly the glass ones.

Sometimes I save the plastic ones too from my hummus or cottage cheese--they're perfect for tossing random things into, and I don't feel nearly as guilty if I lose these or toss them. But I really have a problem throwing out the glass ones. (Of course, by throwing out I mean recycle). Instead, much like my mom, I save these glass bottles, hoping that one day I'll have a use for them.

 

I have manged to start using them more than I used to. Jars are perfect for loose teas, and I have an old pickle jar filled with brown sugar. I put some excess fresh salsa into an old salsa jar and put it into the freezer for future use. An old pasta jar I lost the lid to holds chopsticks and random condiments.

So, all in all, not too bad.

But the other day, a friend sent me a link from Photojojo for another creative use for all those jars: Frames!

Of course, theirs look cute! I'm hopelessly without style, so mine might not come out as well. But I'll definitely be giving it a shot!

And if you have any other ideas on how to use extra bottles, pass them along.

Saturday, January 3, 2009 -- 9:22 p.m.

Looking to get rid of that Christmas tree? Don't toss it--take it over to one of the city's dropoff stops instead. Starting today, through Friday, January 16, the city is accepting your trees and turning them into mulch. Beginning Jan. 9, you can go back and pick up free mulch.

Check here for a location near you.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 --4:39 p.m.

I'm not gonna lie--there's a strange kind of joy that comes with tearing a gift out of its wrapping, not knowing what's inside.

But there's also a very sad feeling that comes with tossing all those bows, ribbons, tags, bags and lengths of wrapping paper out just a few minutes later.

So I challenged myself last year to use as few traditional gift-wrapping supplies as possible. Instead of the usual shiny paper, I found old maps in my parents' basement and gave my gifts a unique look. I also managed to find bags from years past, tore off the tags and reused them for new gifts.

Magazines, calendars, paper bags, newspapers and the Sunday comics also are great stand-ins for wrapping paper. You also can buy biodegradable paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds, though it comes at a pretty steep price.

One of my favorite reusable packaging ideas is the cloth wine bag. They don't tear easily, and people feel bad throwing them out.

Speaking of cloth--it's a great way to wrap your gifts. Much like the cloth bags, it's harder throw out and easier to use again. Plus, your gift will look way more elegant.

Make your gifts tagless and keep your friends and family guessing as to which gift is theirs. And if you've gotta accessorize the gift, use leftover ribbons from gifts you've received. Or use scraps of string, yarn or cloth from other projects. Things like pine cones, flowers and small gifts also make a nice addition to a package. 

I also tend to reuse old tins, boxes and other types of packaging for things like cookies and fudge--even old cashew containers. If I have to, I just cover the outsides with one of the options above and gift away. Tupperware and glass containers also are great ideas, since the giftee can use them again.

And if you think your friends and family will think you're weird, it's totally not true. In fact, most people see it as you investing more of yourself in the gift, rather than slapping on the same paper you'd use for everyone else.

Little do they know...

Monday, December 1, 2008 -- 8:23 p.m.

I've been seeing lots of Christmas trees over the last couple of days--tied to hoods, sitting in parking lots, packaged in boxes at Target. No doubt many people spent some time over the past weekend putting up and decorating their trees.

I've heard arguments from both sides for artificial vs. real trees. Artificial and cheaper, easy to assemble, can be reused each year. Real trees smell wonderful, are more natural and are more traditional.

But all preference aside, which is more green?

I'll give you a hint: It's not the one that can be reused.

Plastic trees generally are made of PVC (of which you can read the specific evils at Grist), which can't be recycled and create a lot of pollution when made.

At least the real trees are grown somewhat sustainably on large farms, where they provide the natural process of creating oxygen, provide habitats for animals and help nourish the soil.

Of course, some of that's negated if the trees are hauled cross-country on large trucks. And some growers use lots of pesticides and chemicals. Luckily, we do live in the Midwest, where the coniferous trees are fairly easy to grow.

If you go the real tree route, make an effort to recycle the tree, which is usually composted or turned into mulch. You can find where to recycle your trees in Chicago here.

There are even better options if you don't mind going a non-traditional route. One is to buy a potted tree of some sort. You can probably get a Christmas tree with roots, or just pick any other plant that you can string a few lights and decorations on. Depending on the plant you get, plant it outside afterward or keep in an appropriate spot in your house.

The other option is to go treeless. If you don't really celebrate Christmas, like me, that's not a difficult thing to do. But even if you do, who's to say you need a tree?

As long as there are presents.

Friday, November 14, 2008 -- 6:02 p.m.

Saturday is America Recycles Day! Never heard of it? Well, that's OK. If you're not big into recycling, or know you could do a better job, consider Saturday a chance to make a New Year's-like resolution for recycling.

And don't forget: You can recycle things other than cans and bottles too. Visit earth911.org for help on finding places that take your electronics, hazardous materials, metals, etc.

Monday, October 27, 2008 -- 5:36 p.m.

I just read on the Chicago Tribune's The Stew that the Green Chicago Restaurant Cooperative plans to start a compost program for eateries in the city! Woo! It's supposed to be up and running in the next 12-18 months.

Read more about it here.

Monday, September 15, 2008 -- 9:27 p.m.

Your running/tennis shoes soaked after days of rain? Get them dry fast by wadding up pages of your day-old RedEye and stuffing it inside the shoe. The newspaper is super-absorbent and will dry your shoes in no time.

I set mine out last night, loaded up with newspaper--they were dry by this morning.

Friday, June 27, 2008 -- 4:30 p.m.

I am a lazy, ungrateful green girl.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've been having bad thoughts about the Blue Bins. After years of complaining about Chicago's Blue Bag system an its inefficiency, I've finally got what I always wanted--a Blue Bin. And here I am still complaining...

The worst part is that it really does come down to the fact that I'm lazy. I hate taking out the garbage. So, I usually end up letting it pile up on the porch until I'm having a really productive day--or someone took pity and took it out for me. Along with the trash would be bags of recycling, as well. Weeks could go by and I could continue to give off the appearance of being a dutiful green girl, as long as you didn't go on the porch.

Life without Blue Bags makes me look like a lazy slob. Recycling is piled up in an unbagged garbage can ... and there might be some on the ground next to it too.

Anyone want to volunteer to be my recycling dumper-outer?

Friday, June 6, 2008 -- 6:01 p.m.

Got any old computers, cell phones, TVs, CDs--basically any electronic--laying around? Well, don't toss it--eCycle it.

eCycling: Reusing or recycling your existing computer equipment so that the greatest environmental, and social, benefit can be realized, according to ecyclingtools.com.

Sometimes, we're so busy recycling our plastics, cans and paper that we forget about the bigger--and often more hazardous--items in our homes. And now that iPods and cell phones go out of style by the time you buy them, there are more electronics than ever just sitting around, taking up precious space.

It's hard, I know. You're thinking, I paid good money for those hunks of metal. Why should I get rid of them? (yes, Dad, I can read your mind.)

There's still life in those prized TVs and DVD players--even if you can't get them to work! If you recycle them properly, bits and pieces of your beloved electronics will go to good homes--or someone with more know-how than you will repair them so someone else can use 'em. Better yet, they won't head off to landfills, where they seep hazardous chemicals into the earth, or end up being dumped overseas.

Lucky for us, it's easy to safely dispose of electronics in Chicago. Here are a few locations around Chicago that will take various items, as well as Web sites with more information about eCycling and more places that accept recycling.

>> Recycle old electronic items from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 6 and 7 in the northwest student parking lot at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Acceptable items include computer equipment, printers, telephones, answering machines, cellular phones, fax machines, televisions, videocassette recorders, stereo equipment, floppy disks, compact discs and audio/ video tapes. A $5 co-pay will be charged for each computer monitor and TV set. For more information, call 358.5700.

>> Chicago Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Center (1150 N. North Branch St. on Goose Island): This permanent facility accepts computers and cell phones, among other hazardous products such as paint and motor oil. They're open for collection Tuesdays (7 a.m.-noon), Thursdays (2-7 p.m.) and the first Saturday of every month (8 a.m.-3 p.m.).

>> Illinois Recycling Association lists locations throughout Illinois.

>> The EPA has great Web site that helps you find local programs, as well as manufacturer and government-supported programs. I was surprised at how many retailers and manufacturers have product recycling.

>> Ecyclingtools.com walks you through the steps of greener electronics: Purchase, manage, recuse and recycle, dispose and network. And it specifies states in which businesses are subject to different laws than individuals--Illinois is one.

I'll be checking the basement the next time I come home, Dad. 

Thursday, May 29, 2008 -- 11:35 a.m.

I came home from my run today to discover Blue Bins all over my neighborhood! Too bad I'm moving in a week to a building with it's own garbage pick-up program.

But, I'm going to take advantage of the bin while I can, so I took a look at the City of Chicago's recycling Web site to learn about them. And guess what? You can recycle SO MUCH MORE!

Remember how I told you in this post that Blue Bags only took plastic Nos. 1 and 2? Not the Blue Bins. According to the city, you can now recycle plastic Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 (just no sixes)!

Grass clippings and yard waste still need to go in a separate bag, and must be placed next to the Blue Bin for pickup.

Much easier than Blue Bags! I wish I could burn mine ...

So, if you've got a new Blue Bin in the alley, celebrate! Your recyclables now are far, far away from your garbage. Well, at least farther than they had been. And no more excuses about recycling being a hassle!

Monday, May 26, 2008 -- 10:13 p.m.

"I don't know why anyone ever buys boxes," my roommate said as we left Jewel this morning with our hands and a shopping cart full of cardboard boxes.

Then she mentioned that I really should blog about our trip to the store to let the world know that there's no need to buy boxes when your local stores have all you could possibly need. And it's a great way to recycle, which sweetens the deal! 

Thursday, May 15, 2008 -- 9:48 p.m.

I noticed while trying to pack the other day that I have a lot of crap. Tons, actually.

There's stuff that I haven't touched since the last time I moved. In fact, there's a box that I never unpacked, full of VHS tapes. I've got clothes I forgot I had. Dozens of magazines. And I just can't bear to haul all this stuff to my next place.

And that's why some amazing, intelligent, thrifty, environmentally minded person (Deron Beal, apparently) started Freecycle.

Got good stuff that you want to get rid of? Well, there's a good chance someone wants it. Think of Freecycle as the free portion of Craigslist.

Speaking of Craigslist--also a great option to get rid of stuff without actually tossing it into the garbage. And through Craigslist, you can sell and buy things as well as give them away. But do so at your own risk--it's not moderated and doesn't use a Paypal system like eBay.

Of course, don't forget just donating items to the Salvation Army and the like. There's no better way to recycle clothes and other items than giving them to people who truly need them!

But Freecycle is certainly good for all that stuff that others in need can't make use of--like my fitness magazines!

Friday, May 2, 2008 -- 5:50 p.m.

See ya, blue bags. It's been ... well, not exactly fun. And welcome, blue carts.

At a news conference Friday (which Daley did not attend), city officials announced that the blue cart recycling system would be expanded across the city by 2011. According to this Tribune story, 92,000 households will have blue carts by the end of the year.

Why the sudden change of heart after the initial plan to roll out blue carts was shelved by Daley and the city due to budget problems? Apparently, the garbage-sorting operation behind the blue bags is ending.

So I guess it had nothing to do with the lack of participation in the blue bag system, or the problems associated with mixing your garbage and recyclables. All it took was the system behind the blue bags to end. There's logic for you.

As thrilled as I am that, one day, I'll get to recycle without those pesky blue bags, I have one question for the city. If I'm not one of the 92,000 to get a cart this summer, what am I supposed to do until I do?  Take my recyclables to one of the drop-off spots around the city?

Umm, I'm not such a fan of that idea. I would, in theory, be able to make this happen because I have a car. And I would certainly feel negligent if I didn't recycle my things. But what about all the other people out there that don't have an easy way to get to drop-off sites?

Perhaps this is just a bump in the road, a sacrifice we have to make for the greater good--or in this case, a greater cart. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 -- 8:14 p.m.

We've all got a pair of old, nasty, worn-out athletic shoes in our closets that should've been thrown out years ago. It's time to let go, but no worries--they can go to a good cause instead of to the nearest landfill.

Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program takes your old sneakers (any brand) and turns them into a material called Nike Grind (yes, they even name their recycled shoes), which is used in sports surfaces such as running tracks, athletic fields and playgrounds around the world.

All you have to do is take your shoes to the nearest drop-off location.

Not a bad way to get your green points for the day.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 -- 8:29 p.m.

So you've decided to give Chicago's Blue Bag recycling program a shot. Or perhaps you're a Blue Bag veteran who doesn't know exactly what can and can't go into those bags.

Well, hopefully this post can clear it up, because recycling in Chicago is far from easy. If you don't read the fine print, much of your hard work could end up in the landfill.

First things first--are you even eligible to participate in the Blue Bag program? According to Chicago's recycling Web site, you can participate if you live in a single-family home or a two-, three- or four-flat building--and your garbage is picked up by the city's Department of Streets and Sanitation.

Do you qualify? If so, congratulations ... I guess. If you don't, maybe you're lucky enough to have your garbage picked up by someone with a better recycling program.

Now comes the tricky part, in my opinion: You can't use one bag for all your recyclables. In fact, in some case, you might need three.

According to the City of Chicago's recycling site: 

Bag No. 1:

newspaper

magazines

junk mail

cardboard

clean food boxes

gift boxes

phone books

catalogs

brown paper bags

gift wrap

Bag No. 2:

empty aluminum and steel cans

empty aerosol cans

rinsed aluminum foil and pie plates

milk, juice, soft drink, water and laundry detergent bottles bearing the "1" or "2" symbol

Clear, green and brown glass

Bag No. 3:

grass clippings

leaves

weeds

twigs

You got all that?

The biggest thing to note about the plastics you're recycling is the number mentioned above. Usually, most plastic bears a little triangle (left) with a number in the middle. Only 1s and 2s can be recycled in Blue Bags. And, sadly, you don't realize how few plastics are those numbers until you start looking for them.

And, finally, there's the trip out to your garbage can in the alley. Don't forget to securely tie shut your bag or it might end up with the rest of the trash ... Oh, wait ...

Monday, March 3, 2008 -- 8:31 p.m.

I go along with the Blue Bag nuisance because I suppose it's easier than hauling my recyclables to the nearest drop-off spot. I should be grateful that Chicago has a recycling program, right? That doesn't mean I have to like it.

Our plastic/aluminum Blue Bag has been full for about 2 weeks. It had gotten to the point where we were stacking things up next to it to avoid taking it out because it gets so damn heavy. And the bags are so expensive that we feel compelled to fill them to the brim. Then, while carrying them to the alley, the bag inevitably tears under the weight.

Good for the environment, yes. Convenient, no.

I'm sick of Blue Bags. I hate paying a ridiculous amount for a paltry box of bags, which I often don't find easily in grocery stores, despite what the city's Web site says. I hate having three different garbage bins in my kitchen, hoping that my hard work separating garbage actually ends up recycled. I hate that a city as large as Chicago has such a ridiculous way of recycling. It's no wonder many Chicagoans don't buy into the program. 

I want the Blue Cart program to expand into Lakeview, but that's not likely to happen anytime soon. Despite Mayor Daley's "green" visions, one of the first things to go when he had to trim a city budget proposal in November was the expansion of the pilot cart program.

How that makes sense, I don't know.

For now, I'll keep on suffering with the crappy Blue Bags, but I'll keep hoping for the day the city realizes that a successful recycling program doesn't involve mixing recyclables with trash.

Coming tomorrow: What you can recycle in your Blue Bags

Monday, February 25, 2008 -- 3:41 p.m.

Want to give your old iPod or cell phone a proper burial? Apple's here's to help.

Apple today unveiled a free ramped-up recycling program--and you don't even have to leave your house to participate.

According to Apple's Web site, all you have to do is visit their recycle page, enter the number of cell phones and iPods you want to recycle, fill in your address and select whether you need a pre-paid printable label or a pre-paid mailer sent to your house. Then, drop off the package in the nearest mailbox (OK, you might have to leave the house for this part).

Simple, right?

And if you're in the market for a newer iPod model, take your old one to the store to recycle and get a 10 percent discount toward a new model purchased that day.

Be good to the environment and Apple will be good to you! For more on Apple's environmental policies, check out the Apple and the Environment Web page.

And if you love all things Apple, especially your iPhone, check out fellow RedEye blogger Supriya Doshi's iPhone, Therefore I Blog--you'll never be so in tune with your iPhone!