Recycling is much easier than it seems. For the most part, almost anything with a ♻️ symbol on it can be recycled. However, not all of it can be thrown directly into a recycling bin. Some items require that you take an extra step like washing out a container or driving to a recycling center.
In an earlier article, we discuss the 7 most common recycling mistakes, complete with the detriments of wishful recycling—the honest mistake of throwing a non-recyclable item into the recycling bin and how it can ruin your good recycling efforts. But with this article, we’ll teach you how to recycle 8 of the most common household items:
We must note that every city’s recycling rules are different. We’re sharing general knowledge about what you can recycle and the most acceptable way to dispose of it. To find out specifically what you can go in your recycling tub, talk to your city sanitation department. Most have this information easily available on their website.
Let’s start with the big one: plastics. Most often, you’re going to be recycling single-use plastics. Examples include:
Of course, you can use single-use items more than once. However, lots of these — especially the food-related items — essentially serve their use after one time. Just remember to rinse off food before you throw it in the recycling bin. If you feel there is residue, then go over it with some soapy water to ensure squeaky clean and contaminant-free plastics.
Now, you might be wondering how do I know if a plastic item is recyclable? First, it should have the recycling symbol (♻️) on it. Second, look for the number inside of it. That’s the “resin code” — a fancy term for what the plastic’s made of. That indicates how recyclable it is and whether you’re really recycling or actually contaminating an otherwise good batch of recyclables.
There are seven types of plastic resins:
The key takeaway: Plastics #1 and #2 are easily recyclable — rinse ‘em out, clean them up, and toss them right in! For plastics #3 through #7, however, you must check with your city’s recycling program.
You have a few recyclable and non-recyclable options:
Styrofoam, also called polystyrene foam, can be recycled — just not through curbside pickup. It’s a very difficult and costly plastic to recycle. It’s 95% air and only 5% plastic, so that huge bag of packing peanuts that protected your new vacuum during shipping is literally hot air.
Recycling is an industry after all, and it must make money. Therefore, many recyclers do not accept styrofoam because the cost does not outweigh its resale value. However, locations ranging from grocery stores to environmental and recycling centers can broker those items on the market, so talk to your city about what’s available in your area.
Dry paper — such as newspapers, mail, magazines, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and shredded paper — is some of the most common and easily recyclable goods. Just remember to remove any staples that bind pages.
Cardboard is very similar to paper and can be recycled curbside. Just make sure to flatten down the cardboard so it doesn’t take up empty space.
Important: If the paper is wet or soiled with grease (like a greasy cardboard pizza box), we recommend you compost it instead. Any potential food byproduct is considered a contaminant, so your pizza box would be thrown away or end up spoiling the batch. Just rip off the spoiled part and recycle the still-good piece.
Also important: If the paper has a bit of plastic on it, or if it’s a paper cup lined with plastic, it cannot be recycled. It must be thrown away. Padded envelopes, on the other hand, can be recycled — just remove the plastic from the inside and throw it away (or see if you can recycle it). For envelopes with plastic windows, just remove the plastic, and throw the paper in the bin.
Historically, you couldn’t throw batteries in the trash. Thanks to recent developments, almost all alkaline batteries — including AA, AAA, D and C — can be thrown away in the garbage. DON’T recycle them. The exception is California, where all batteries must be recycled or taken to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
Any rechargeable battery or lead-acid battery (AKA your car battery) CANNOT be thrown in the garbage. They are considered hazardous waste and must be RECYCLED. Lithium-ion batteries are some of the most common rechargeable batteries. You must take these to the recycling center, an auto part store, or a consumer technology store, such as Batteries Plus Bulbs or Best Buy.
As for lead-acid batteries, it is actually illegal in some states to trash them. For safe disposal, take them to your local home improvement store, a consumer technology store, or auto parts store. Just call before you do to make sure they accept these batteries.
From gently worn garments to tattered old t-shirts that have transformed into work rags, there are several ways you can resell, recycle, donate, or repurpose old clothing.
How to “recycle” a piece of clothing depends on the quality:
Just don’t put them in the recycling bin.
Many electronics contain expensive materials and rare metals. In fact, many smartphones contain trace amounts of gold. While there isn’t much in one phone, but if 1,000 cell phones are trashed, the gold begins to add up.
Thankfully, many states legally require manufacturers of certain electronics to take back their brand’s electronic waste and recycle it, with Texas being one of them. Companies gather millions of used product materials back, and consumers can rest easy knowing that they’re reducing their waste and carbon footprint.
If you don’t know how to contact the phone manufacturer, just take it to your local Best Buy. They recycle almost all of your used electronics for free.
There are several ways you can donate old books:
Many cities are stopping their glass recycling programs. Thankfully, glass jars and empty wine bottles are pretty handsome on a shelf or refilled with food products. You can use them again and again without worry of staining the glass or contaminating the food.
If glass recycling is available in your area, there might be some restrictions:
As you can see, a lot of recycling depends on your city. Some cities welcome the single-stream recycling model — a system in which all recycled goods go into a single bin that’s sorted at a facility. However, this form of recycling runs an increased risk of wishful recycling, which will ultimately turn that good pile of recyclables into straight-up trash that will go to a landfill.
Thus, our final tip is: When in Doubt, Throw It Out. If you’re not sure an item is recyclable, you should first check on your city’s official website. Otherwise, just throw it out. This might seem contrary to what we’re typically told about recycling, but it’s actually better for the environment to throw out something you aren’t sure of than to throw in something that will ruin a whole batch of recyclables. You’ll be doing the environment a huge favor!
