Introduction

 Recycling is critical for conserving resources and preventing environmental damage. Yet, many people still need to understand how to recycle properly. Even with the best of intentions, people are still not recycling properly. In one study, just under 1/3 of recyclable items were properly recycled.  About 25% of recyclables were placed in recycling bins and shouldn’t be. What is causing the problem? There can be problems with differences in what’s recyclable from one area to the next. If you move from a town where empty aerosol cans were recycled to a town where they’re not, you may not realize that you’re creating issues by putting a non-recyclable item in your recycling bin.

Things That Help You Recycle Correctly

Ask for a Chart of Local Recycling Guidelines

Call or email your trash and recycling company and ask for a chart of what is and isn’t recyclable.  You might be redirected to a website. Take that site and build your own chart using the things you know you purchase or use regularly.

Be Creative

Just because it can be recycled doesn’t mean you need to. You might find that you can put things to use around your home. The glass mustard and jam jars you have are great for sorting small items like screws, nuts and bolts, and paper clips. Paper egg cartons are good for starting seedlings in your garden.

Clean and Dry Food Containers and Jars

Make sure that food containers and jars are cleaned. Wash them out when you wash your dishes. You also need to clean the lids and remove them from the jars or containers when you recycle them. Lids that are less than 2 inches are not recyclable.

Crush Plastic Bottles and Cans

You can make more room in your bin when you crush your cans and plastic bottles. That gives you extra space for your recyclables and ensures you can close the lid.

Purchase Goods Made With Recycled Materials

When you’re purchasing items, look for things made with recycled plastic, glass, and metal. It creates a circular economy and helps lower the amount of raw materials needed to make the new items.

Start a Compost Bin

Instead of putting your fruit and vegetable scraps in the trash, compost them. A compost tumbler takes up little space and creates rich compost that helps your plants thrive. You can also compost unbleached paper towels and napkins, shredded cardboard and paper packaging, grass trimmings, and leaves.

Things You Need to Avoid or Stop Doing

Don’t Hope Something Is Recyclable

“Wish-cycling” is the process where you put something in the recyclables bin and hope it’s recyclable. This is a bad habit as it can lead to an entire truckload of recyclables going to the landfill. When trucks pick up recycling at your home, everything usually goes into one truck and is sorted by workers at the recycling center. If too many items are being pulled because they’re not recyclable, the entire load ends up being shifted to a dump truck and hauled to a landfill. Items that could have been recycled end up in the trash unnecessarily.

Don’t Recycle Dirty Containers

Containers need to be clean. If they’re dirty, they’re contaminated and have to be moved to the trash. If there is a container that you just cannot get clean enough, it’s better to throw it out. The best tip is to soak things like peanut butter and chocolate spread jars in hot, soapy water overnight and then wash them in the morning.

Don’t Throw Away Old Small Appliances and Electronics

Never throw small appliances and electronics into a recycling bin. Donate them if there is still life left or recycle them in the electronics area of your nearest recycling facility. Toasters contain plenty of metals that can contaminate the groundwater and soil. Electronics with lithium-ion batteries can spark fires if the battery pack is crushed.

Don’t Throw Out Plastic Bags 

Plastic bags and film products cannot be recycled in a bin. You can collect them and bring them with you to a participating retailer that accepts plastic film products. Grocery stores often have these bins in the bottle redemption area or entryway.

Don’t Throw Out Plastic Bags

Plastic bags and film products cannot be recycled in a bin. You can collect them and bring them with you to a participating retailer that accepts plastic film products. Grocery stores often have these bins in the bottle redemption area or entryway.

Stop Purchasing Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics like water bottles and small yogurt containers create a lot of plastic that may not get recycled properly. They could blow out of your bin on a windy day and end up in a nearby stream or ditch. Instead, purchase reusable water bottles and fill them at home, work, or school. Purchase a larger tub of yogurt and make parfaits in reusable containers.