We are living in a time when there is great interest in green energy and recycling. The more we are able to preserve our energy and other natural resources, the better off we will be as a nation. Everyone can do their bit to recycle and participate in a greener America.

You may not realize it, but you probably are doing some recycling at this very moment. Some of the products you buy are made of recycled materials and if you save your aluminum cans and newspapers, you are helping to recycle. You might even ask the question, how can I use recycled materials in my yard?

Your yard is actually a great place for using a variety of recycled materials. Many people allow their lawn mowers to mulch the grass they cut because they do not want to bother bagging up all the clippings. While that may be one reason for allowing your clippings to remain on your lawn, it is also a way of recycling that does not require you to use plastic bags to gather the clippings. Instead the mulched grass provides nourishment and promotes a greener and healthier lawn.

Compost piles are a way to recycle in your yard. You can build a compost bin and drop your food scraps and other organic materials in there instead of in the garbage pail. Not only will you be recycling, but you will also produce a free source of excellent material for fertilizing your garden.

Some people have already been using plastic or rubber mulch to surround their trees and other plants. By buying bags of mulch made from plastic containers, tires and other similar materials, you are helping to make good use of materials that would otherwise remain in a landfill for hundreds of years.

Finally, consider cleaning and repairing old patio furniture instead of tossing it out and buying new patio furniture. it may require nothing more that a good pressure washing to return to new condition or maybe you will need to fix a strap or add a cushion. The more you save, the better off we will all be.