There’s no denying that recycling is one of the most straightforward things we can do for the planet. When done correctly, it helps conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and keep waste out of landfills. according to epaRecycling and composting municipal solid waste saves more than 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. But here’s the problem: Many of us aren’t doing it correctly. About 25 to 30 percent of what goes into recycling bins doesn’t belong there, and those extras can contaminate entire truckloads of recyclable items, sending the entire load straight to the landfill. in Recycling Tips This will help you eliminate confusion so that what you put in the bin actually gets recycled.
1
don’t be wishy-washy
Wish-recycling is what happens when you throw something in the recycling bin hoping that it will somehow get recycled, even if you’re not sure it belongs there. It feels responsible at the moment, but it is actually one of the most common ways that recycling loads become contaminated and rejected. Garden hoses, old Christmas lights, boomboxes and bowling balls don’t become recyclable just because they fall into 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 not recyclable, it belongs in the trash.
“When in doubt, throw it out. One contaminated item can ruin an entire truckload of recyclables.”
2
Don’t recycle anything smaller than a credit card
Small pieces such as bottle caps, shredded paper and soda can tabs can jam recycling machinery and slip through the sorting screens. The credit card test is your friend here: If an item is smaller than a standard credit card, skip the recycling bin and put it in the trash. It seems counterintuitive when you’re trying to do the right thing, but putting small items into the waste stream correctly makes more sense than recycling them.
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 bag your recyclables
Bagging recyclables creates problems for a sorting facility, especially if the bag itself is not recyclable. Workers can’t see what’s inside, and the bags get wrapped around the machinery and cause shutdowns. Unless your local recycling program specifically tells you otherwise, keep everything loose in the trash. An exception is shredded paper, which can be placed inside a paper bag before going into the bin to contain the smaller pieces.
4
Empty, clean and dry: make this your recycling motto
Food and beverage containers make up the bulk of most household recycling, and they are also the most common source of contamination. One dirty food container can contaminate the entire truck. Before putting anything in the trash, ask yourself: Is it empty, clean, and dry? That sticky peanut butter jar, the ketchup bottle with residue, the oil container that wasn’t completely drained—these all need to be rinsed first. When in doubt, throw it out.
5
Know what you can and can’t recycle
A quick visual guide to what does and doesn’t belong in your household recycling bin.
Here’s a breakdown of what is generally accepted and what isn’t. Always check with your local municipality, as rules vary by area.
✔ What you can recycle (when empty, clean and dry):
paper: Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper, and notebook paper. No wet, sticky or multi-material paper (sticky notes, bubble wrap mailers, window envelopes, used coffee cups).
Cardboard: Wash and clean to-go boxes, shipping boxes, cereal and cracker boxes, juice and milk cartons. For pizza boxes, remove the greasy side and reuse the clean half.
Plastic Bottles and Jugs: Simply empty, clean and dry. Use the poke test: If your finger goes into the plastic, it’s too thin to recycle. This does not include sandwich bags, plastic wrap and grocery bags. Most grocery stores have drop-off bins for plastic bag recycling.
Aluminum Cans and Tin Cans: Soda cans, soup cans, tuna cans, bean cans – rinse and drain before throwing away. Clean, uncontaminated aluminum foil is also acceptable.
Glass (check locally): Glass is recyclable but not all municipalities accept it at the curb. Never place broken glass in the recycling bin – it is a safety hazard for workers and can damage machinery.
❌ What you can’t recycle at curbside:
Batteries and Electronics (requires special drop-off – see Tip 7)
Any type of food or food-contaminated items
foam and styrofoam
Single-use utensils, paper plates, napkins, or paper towels
plastic sandwich bags, plastic wrap, or plastic grocery bags
Clothes or shoes (donate instead)
Razor blades, bottle caps themselves, or soda can tabs themselves
diapers, medical waste, or yard waste
Glass recycling rules vary by location. Always check your local program before putting glass in the curbside bin.
6
Give your recycling bin the sniff test
If opening your recycling bin makes you cringe, it’s something you need to pay attention to. Odors are almost always the result of food-contaminated items that were not washed before going inside. For light residues, rinsing with a hose is usually sufficient. For sticky deposits, scrub the inside with dish detergent, then turn it upside down to drain and dry completely before refilling. A cleaner bin means cleaner recyclables, which means they have a better chance of actually being processed.
7
Handle batteries and electronics properly
Batteries and electronics should never go in your curbside trash. They require special care to avoid fire hazards and environmental pollution. Most major retailers accept them for drop-off: Best Buy, Staples, and Home Depot all have in-store collection programs for general electronics and batteries. Many municipalities also run e-waste collection programs from time to time. Check Earth911.com or your local waste management website to find the nearest drop-off location for specific items.
See also
8
Always check your local recycling rules
Recycling rules are not universal. What is accepted curbside in one city may go straight to the landfill in the next city because the local facility cannot process it. Glass is the most common example, but types of plastic, cartons, and even some paper products vary by municipality. Before you assume something is recyclable, check your local waste management website or use EPA’s Recycling Resources To get guidance specific to your area. Getting this right matters more than recycling more.
9
Reduce and Reuse Before Recycling
Recycling is valuable, but it’s at the bottom of the waste hierarchy for a reason. It’s both more effective to reduce the waste you produce in the first place and to find ways to reuse what you have. Small changes in habit add up quickly over time and have an impact on you without much effort. Our guide to eco-friendly cleaning is a good start if you want to cut down on single-use packaging at home.
Plastic bags cannot go in your kerbside bin. Most grocery stores have dedicated drop-off bins for plastic bag recycling.
Easy ways to reduce waste at home:
Switch to Reusable Tote Bags for Grocery Shopping
Use a reusable stainless steel water bottle
Pack lunch in reusable containers instead of single-use bags
Meal Plan to Cut Down on Takeout Packaging Waste
Reuse glass food jars for storing or freezing soups and sauces
Donate or repair items instead of throwing them away
Start a compost bin for leftover foods and yard waste
Choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging when shopping
Get the kids involved and make recycling a family habit
The habits we form early are habits that stick. Getting kids involved in recycling at home is one of the most effective ways to make it a permanent household routine. Republic Services launched Recycling Simplified Making it easy for everyone to learn about recycling, with step-by-step lesson plans, activities, videos, and take-home materials designed for children from Pre-K to high school. This is a great resource, whether you’re a parent who wants to make this a part of daily life or a teacher who wants classroom-ready materials. visit RecyclingSimplified.com For videos, tips and printable guides.
For more ways to keep your home clean and sustainable, take a look at our guides on natural non-toxic cleaning and natural spring cleaning.
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