Recycling Tips | What to Recycle

Recycling is all about organization. Here’s how you get started: first, call your garbage collection company or local municipality and ask if they pick up recycling. If they do, ask what they accept and how much they charge.

Most companies will accept #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum, and glass. Some will also accept tin cans, paper, and cardboard.

If your current trash pickup company does not accept recycling, you may be able to find another company that does or you can locate drop-off recycling center in your area.

Regardless, there will probably be some items that won’t be picked up; and you’ll need to find a drop-off location. Search Earth911. Hopefully, you’ll find a recycling center that takes everything you want to recycle. Look for a facility that accepts cardboard, paperboard (like cereal boxes), tin cans, glass bottles, magazines, and office paper.

Whether you’re putting your recycling by the curb or taking it to a facility, know the rules. For example, a recycling center may accept clear drink bottles labeled with #1 or #2, but refuse to accept the hard plastic caps to the bottles.

Gimme5 is a good option for #5 plastics, which includes many food containers.

You should also recycle phone books, newspapers, and catalogs. If these are not accepted at your recycling facility, look for drop-off bins at government buildings, like the post office or public schools. Many grocery stores accept plastic bags for recycling. Some municipalities accept food waste for compost piles.

IKEA stores take used CFL bulbs, which are hazardous to throw away. RadioShack takes many rechargeable batteries (think cell phones and laptops).

Save packing peanuts for a local small business that ships items out regularly. Or, call your local FedEx/Kinkos, UPS Store, or Mailboxes Etc. Many will take them and reuse them.

Earth911 is a good resource to find recycling options for everything from electronics to motor oil, from mattresses to construction materials. Or, you can join Freecycle to give away old electronics.

Set up bins or shoeboxes to collect each type of item that needs to be recycled. You’ll be much more successful if you’re organized about collecting the recycling.  Thank you for reducing waste and its negative impact on our environment.  Good luck!