"The appliances are recycled as steel," said David Neufeld, solid waste management foreman. Even refrigerators are recyclable after the freon is pumped out of them, said Neufeld.

The baling facility also has a paint exchange program for homeowners' use only. Basically, you bring out whatever paints you don't need and take home those you do.

Homeowners or businesses who want to do their part for the environment can make a big difference, with little effort.

Recycling bins are located at Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, beside Wade Hamer Mini Golf and at Sir John Franklin high school.

Each of these bins accepts newsprint, tin cans, pop cans and glass.

Cardboard, white office paper and colored paper can be taken to the baling facility for recycling.

The only material that can't be recycled in Yellowknife using conventional recycling methods is plastic. However, plastic grocery bags can be taken to either Yellowknife Direct-Charge Co-op or Extra Foods for recycling.

"It would take four years to collect a load. There's not enough volume yet," said Neufeld.

An easy way to break into the recycling habit is to begin by recycling one or two different kinds of items. Each month, add a new item to your recycling list.

Matthew Grogono, a Yellowknife citizen concerned with the environment, said it is important to look at what kinds of products are destined to become waste in the first place.

"We've got to look at what's in the waste stream," said Grogono.