How to Recycle the Right Way
Did you know putting the wrong items in your bin can send your recyclables to the landfill? We’re sure that’s the last thing you want to hear after your efforts to go green. If you’re in need of a refresher, or would like to share the rules of recycling with a friend, check out our tips below. You’ll be your neighborhood’s king or queen of sustainability in no time!
1. Don’t be aspirational
We’ve all experienced that moment of hesitation with certain items: should I recycle this or not? If you throw an item into the bin without really knowing if it will be accepted, that means you’ve participated in wishcycling. Rather than relying on chance, check your town or city’s public works website to see what items they they will pick up. This way, you’ll avoid having the entire contents of your bin thrown into the trash. Make sure to pay attention to labels as well—many sanitation companies only recycle certain types of plastic.
2. Know your local resources
If you don’t currently have access to curbside recycling, do a little research to see if your area has a local center available for drop-off items. This applies to those who recycle at home as well. Depending on where you live, you might not be able to put glass in your bin each week, but there’s a good chance you can bring it somewhere else. Places like CHaRM (The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) will take bottles and even trickier items like tires, mattresses, or paint. If you plan ahead, you can also attend collection events in your area. Many of our local affiliates host drop-off days in order to recycle electronics, batteries, hazardous waste, and more.
3. Keep it clean
Contaminated items, like wishcycled ones, are not accepted by most recycling facilities. Be sure to rinse everything before taking your bin to the curb, and if you have a greasy item, like a pizza box, leave it out. If you garden, you can throw it in your compost bin, and if you only see grease on the bottom of the box, you can cut that part off and recycle the top!
4. Use a lid
A little known fact: wet cardboard can clog automated sorting machines. If you want to avoid having your items sent to the landfill, that means you should use a lid. If you have an older bin that no longer has one, try to avoid bringing it to the curb during a rainstorm. You can also call your local sanitation department to see if they will offer a replacement.
5. Say no to plastic bags
Perhaps you keep your recyclables in bags indoors until pick-up day arrives, or maybe you’ve even heard that plastic bags can be recycled, so you place them in your bin purposefully. Unfortunately, the majority of recycling facilities do not accept plastic bags (much like soggy cardboard, they wreak havoc on sorting machinery). but no matter where you live, you most likely have at least one drop-off option. Many stores, from Target to Kroger, and even Publix and Harris Teeter, have bins near their entrances to collect plastic bags, bubble wrap, and even plastic film wrapping.
And remember, recycling should always be your second option. Reducing your waste in the first place helps keep our planet clean, green, and beautiful!