Recycling isn’t merely placing stuff in a blue bin and hoping for the best it’s an easy thing to do that can benefit your health, your neighborhood, and the environment. By recycling correctly, you help keep harmful substances from the landfill, reduce pollution levels, and contribute to having a cleaner world for everyone. But not everything finds its way to your curbside recycling bin, and some of the most frequent mistakes have more harm than good.
Let’s start with what you can safely put in your blue recycling bin. Clean and dry plastic bottles and containers are accepted, as long as they’re not soiled with food residue or liquids. Leave the plastic caps on but skip the plastic bags, hoses, and large plastic items like patio furniture those go somewhere else. Aluminum cans, such as beverage cans and clean food trays, can be recycled too, but aluminum foil cannot. Glass jars and bottles are fine if they’re empty and clean, but be sure to remove the lids and recycle the lids separately. Paper is another big group: dry, clean paper, newspapers, magazines, office paper, and even envelopes with plastic windows are all recyclable. Paperboard boxes, like those for cereal or tissues, are likewise good to go. Cardboard boxes, like greasy-free pizza boxes, can be crushed and dry if they are to be recycled.
Next, let’s discuss what should not go into your blue cart. It may come as a surprise to some that plastic bags, shredded paper, tissue paper, and toilet paper are not accepted. Plastic bags, of all the things, can wrap around recycling machinery and need to go instead to collection bins at grocery stores. Electronics, batteries, light bulbs, and household hazardous waste think cleaners, paints, pesticides, and propane tanks should never go in your recycling or regular trash cans. These items should be disposed of separately to prevent polluting the environment and posing health risks. For electronics like computers, telephones, and kitchen appliances, call your local community collection center or donation programs. Batteries and toxic waste have to be taken to the proper facilities to prevent any hazard.
Certain products are seemingly recyclable but actually become a great inconvenience for the recycling facilities. Dirty paper items like diapers, food trash, cords, and big plastic toys must all go in your normal trash. Even cooking oils, syringes, and drugs must be treated with special care never put them in your recycling or garbage cans. Rather, look for local programs that accept these items in a responsible manner, such as sharps collection programs or police station office medication drop-boxes.
Recycling rules can vary based on where you live, so it’s always best to call your city or county to get current information. If you live in an apartment building or multi-family residence, your property manager will help you find out what recycling options are available. And if you need to know something, some communities even have recycling guides, quick sheets, and presentations that can help you sort things out.
Recycling right is a small habit that adds up to a healthier, cleaner community. By knowing what goes where and taking a few extra moments to sort your waste, you’re doing your part to protect the environment and the well-being of everyone around you.