It cannot be denied that recycling is one of the most direct things we can do for the planet. Done right, it helps conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and keep waste out of landfills. according to EPArecycling and composting municipal solid waste saved more than 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in a single year. But here’s the catch: many of us don’t do it well. About 25 to 30 percent of what ends up in the recycling bins doesn’t belong, and those extras can contaminate an entire truckload of recyclables, sending the entire load straight to the landfill. These recycling tips it will help you cut through the clutter so that what you put in the trash can actually be recycled.
1
Don’t be a wannabe
Wish cycling is when you throw something in the recycling bin in the hope that it will somehow be recycled, even though you’re not sure it’s there. It feels responsible at the moment, but it’s actually one of the most common ways to pollute and discard your recycling loads. Garden hoses, old Christmas lights, boomboxes and bowling balls don’t become recyclable because they land in the blue bin. They clog sorting machinery and delay processing at recycling facilities. If an item is still in good condition, donate it to a local thrift store or charity so it can be reused. If it’s broken and unrecyclable, it’s in the trash.
“When in doubt, throw it away. One contaminated item can ruin an entire truckload of recyclables.”
2
Don’t recycle anything smaller than a credit card
Small items like bottle caps, shredded paper scraps and soda can tabs can clog recycling machinery and pass through sorting screens. The credit card check is your friend here: if an item is smaller than a standard credit card, skip the recycling bin and throw it in the trash. It may seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to do the right thing, but getting small items properly into the waste stream is more important than the nod to recycling.
Use the credit card test: If an item is smaller than a credit card, it goes in the trash, not the recycling bin.
3
Keep things loose and never pack recyclables
Bagging recyclables creates a problem in the sorting facility, especially when the bag itself is not recyclable. Workers can’t see what’s inside, and the bags wrap around the machinery and cause downtime. Keep everything loose in the trash unless your local recycling program specifically tells you otherwise. The only exception is shredded paper, which can be placed inside a paper bag to contain the small pieces before going into the container.
4
Empty, clean and dry: make your recycling motto
Food and beverage containers make up the largest portion of most household recycling, and are also the most common source of pollution. A single container of contaminated food can contaminate an entire truck. Before putting anything in the trash, ask yourself: is it empty, clean, and dry? That sticky peanut butter jar, the leftover ketchup bottle, the oil can that wasn’t completely drained – they all need to be cleaned first. When in doubt, throw it away.
5
Find out what you can and can’t recycle
A quick visual guide to what does and doesn’t go in your household recycling bin.
Here’s what’s generally accepted and what’s not. Always check with your local council, as rules vary by region.
✔ What you can recycle (empty, washed and dried):
Paper: Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper and notebook paper. No wet, sticky or multi-material paper (sticky notes, bubble wrap, windowed envelopes, used coffee mugs).
Carton: Clean moving boxes, shipping boxes, cereal and cracker boxes, juice and milk cartons. For pizza boxes, remove the greasy side and recycle the clean half.
Plastic bottles and jugs: Only vacuum, clean and dry. Use the poke test: if your finger goes through the plastic, it’s too thin to recycle. This excludes sandwich bags, plastic wrap and grocery bags. Most grocery stores have bins to drop off plastic bags for recycling.
Aluminum cans and cans: Soda cans, soup cans, tuna cans, bean cans – wash and discard before draining. Clean, uncontaminated aluminum foil is also acceptable.
Glass (see locally): Glass is recyclable but not all municipalities accept it. Never put broken glass in the recycling bin; it is a safety hazard for workers and can damage machinery.
❌ What you CANNOT recycle curbside:
Batteries and electronics (special follow-up required; see tip 7)
Contaminated food or food of any kind
Foam and polystyrene
Single-use utensils, paper plates, napkins or paper towels
Plastic sandwich bags, plastic wrap or plastic grocery bags
Clothes or shoes (donate instead)
Razors, bottle caps alone or soda cans on their own
Diapers, medical waste or yard waste
Glass recycling rules vary by location. Always check with your local program before placing glass in the side bin.
6
Give your recycling bin a sniff test
If opening your recycling bin makes your nose wrinkle, it needs attention. Odors are almost always the result of products contaminated by food that was not washed before entering. For light debris, hose cleaning is usually sufficient. For liquid build-up, clean the interior with dishwashing detergent, then turn it upside down to drain and dry completely before refilling. A clean bin means cleaner recyclables, which means they’re actually more likely to be processed.
7
Manage batteries and electronics properly
Batteries and electronics should never go into your dock. They require special handling to avoid fire hazards and environmental pollution. Most major retailers accept drop-offs: Best Buy, Staples, and Home Depot have in-store pickup programs for regular electronics and batteries. Many municipalities, on the other hand, hold events for the collection of electronic waste. Check Earth911.com or your local waste management website to find the nearest place to drop off specific items.
See also
8
Always check your local recycling regulations
Recycling rules are not universal. What is accepted at the curb in one city may go straight to landfill the next because the local facility cannot process it. Glass is the most common example, but the types of plastic, cardboard and even some paper products vary by municipality. Before you assume something is recyclable, check your local waste management website or use it EPA recycling resources to find specific guidance in your area. Getting it right is more important than recycling more.
9
Reduce and reuse before recycling
Recycling counts, but for a reason it ranks at the bottom of the waste hierarchy. Reducing the waste you create in the first place and finding ways to reuse what you have have a bigger impact. Small habit changes add up quickly over time and reduce your footprint without much effort. Our guide ecological cleaning It’s a good place to start if you want to cut down on single-use containers at home.
Plastic bags cannot be placed in the hanging bin. Most grocery stores have placed bins to drop off plastic bags for recycling.
Simple ways to reduce waste at home:
Switch to reusable grocery bags
Use a reusable stainless steel water bottle
Take lunch in reusable containers instead of single-use bags
Food plan to reduce takeaway container waste
Reuse glass containers for storing or freezing soups and sauces
Donate or repair items instead of throwing them away
Set up a compost bin for food scraps and garden waste
When shopping, choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging
Get the kids involved and make recycling a family habit
Habits we build early tend to stick. Getting children involved in recycling at home is one of the most effective ways to make a household routine sustainable. Republic Services have been launched Recycling Simplified step-by-step lesson plans, activities, videos, and take-home materials designed for kids from preschool to high school to make learning about recycling easier for everyone. It’s a great resource whether you’re a parent looking to incorporate it into everyday life or a teacher looking for classroom-ready content. visit RecyclingSimplified.com videos, tips and guides to print.
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