When you put out your recycling at the curb, the last thing on your mind is probably “what will the raccoons think?” but our recycling habits can actually impact the local wildlife. Here’s how!
Picture this: you’re a hungry raccoon, out in the early evening hours and looking for something tasty to eat. What’s this?! Someone left some delicious peanut butter in a jar in their recycling bin? Yum! You stick your nose in and – uh oh. Now it’s stuck! You just wanted a snack, but now you’re in serious trouble.
This type of thing happens to animals all the time. It’s our job to stop it. Be a raccoon buddy by making sure you Respect Animals While Recycling! Here are a few tips to try at home:
- Before they hit the recycling bin, be sure to wash out all containers REALLY well. You don’t want to see any kind of food inside. If a container doesn’t smell like food, it won’t attract wildlife.
- If something has sharp edges (like a tin can), place it at the bottom of your recycling bin, farther away from any animals that might sniff around. You can also ask your parents to look for a can opener that makes smooth edges instead of jagged ones.
- Get a compost container with a tightly-fitting lid to prevent raccoons from getting inside (they’re very clever).
OH THAT RACCOON IS SO FREAKING ADORABLEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
And yes my parents and I try to clean out all the food before it gets to recycling and we try to preserve nature. There’s a rat / vole infestation going on in our neighbourhood right now, and I begged my mom to not set out traps, so she bought lavender and garlic instead, to not harm them but make sure they don’t come into the yard (my mom was mad that the voles and rats were eating the grass seeds and the flowers)
Once I was at my cottage and when I was sleeping, my mom saw a raccoon looking at her through the window.
Racons are so cute
So adorable
Ya, the raccoons are adorable
Will do!
got it
will do
We already do that! 😀
Wow!