Football season is here... FINALLY! With it comes the second greatest past time, tailgating. Almost 35 percent of the US population grills at least once a year. The United States accounts for nearly 36 million tons of thrown away food, not to mention the items that accompany the food. You can help your community and yourself, for that matter, by simply composting the left overs and recycling the items that can be recycled.

CONDIMENT JARS AND BOTTLESKetchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish & BBQ containers are usually recyclable. Rinse them out and allow them to �nd their way to the recycling bin.

PRODUCEVegetables and fruit leftovers from game-day are perfect accompaniments to any composting bin or pile.

MEATSProteins like ground beef, hot dogs, bu�alo wings, ribs and the like are delicious but not if you decide to throw them in your composting pile. They decompose S-L-O-W-L-Y, plus you and your neighbors may not care for the smell or the pests that �nd them so irresistible. Be sure to either use a heavy duty trash bag or to double bag the left overs.

BUNS AND BREADS.Any kind of left over buns are fun to throw to birds & squirrels but they attract unwelcomed pests to your tailgating swaray and thus the stadium parking lot. The best option is to put them back in the bag they came in and then freeze them for later use. Composting is a great alternative, instead of throwing them away.

PLASTICCheck with your municipality to be certain but your plates, cups, cutlery & packaging are usually recyclable. Give them a quick rinse before tossing them in the recycling bin.

PAPERThat composting bin needs a little �ber in it’s diet. Paper �ber that is. Paper towels, paper plates, tablecloth (AKA newspaper)... toss them in the composting pile. Make sure there isn’t any plastic or plates with wax coatings. It is better to tear or shred the paper or else it may not decompose in the time or manner in which you’d like.

CANS & BOTTLESWhat’s a tailgate party without some nice ice cold adult beverage or their younger brother the soda can? Save your back and set up a box lined with a trash bag and have a competition to see who gets the most cans or bottles in the designated box.

PLASTIC BAGSYour approved 12 x 12 clear security bag may have seen it’s last football game for a while, that is until it becomes another approved bag from when you recycle it.Grocery store bags are usually not accepted by recycling facilities because of the tendency to clog the machinery. Bring them back to your local grocery store where you may even receive a deposit for them.

www.interplas.com/12-x-12-ziplock-handle-bags-p-czd1212