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Rainbow

    In my quest to better understand recycling I toured Rainbow Environmental Services in Huntington Beach, respectfully aka – a dump.

    As a kid I remember touring the dump, which always intrigued me – the piles of trash, the items people disregarded without giving them to a neighbor, the stench.  The mixture was more colorful than turning individual Starburst candies into a ball.

    The same feelings returned yesterday when seeing the piles of trash, couches, mattresses, plastic bottles, clothes, wood, paper.  Admittedly I felt pride in knowing this amazing company, Rainbow Environmental Services, and their 210 employees are work tirelessly to reclaim as much trash as possible via hand picking and distribution.

    Good news – nearly 80% of their efforts are reclaimed.  Their efforts include:

    Recycled Glass Countertop
    Make a counter top from 100% recycled glass
    • Converting broken glass into counter tops
    • Recycling grocery store produce into organic potting soil
    • Trash is hand picked and distributed for recycling
    • Providing recycled aggregate for LEED and sustainable projects
    • Rainbow Environmental Services is 100% employee-owned

    What’s the lesson learned – please consider your environmental footprint when buying something.  Here’s one simple, easy trick — bring your own bag to carry your purchased items.

    If you’d like to learn more, check out these videos taken from the tour.

    The public’s drop off point
    http://youtu.be/wASA0guIp54

    The starting point
    http://youtu.be/RI4SZ26TLeY

    Hand picking and sorting the trash
    http://youtu.be/heYG350PByU

    30,000 cans
    http://youtu.be/h5TpXVPZUic

    Plastic containers, milk jugs, wires & paper
    http://youtu.be/XXJ-l4UTcNU

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