What Can Go in the Recycling Bin? A Complete Guide

Recycling plays a big role in cutting down waste and harmful emissions. It helps us use fewer new materials and protects our planet. Thanks to curbside recycling, it’s easier for us to sort our trash right. But, many people still make mistakes and put wrong things in their recycling bins. This can mess up the recycling process. This recycling guide will clear up which items belong in your recycling bin. You’ll also get tips to sort your recyclables the right way for pickup. Learn about the do’s and don’ts of recycling, different materials, and how to avoid common recycling mistakes.

Understanding Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling helps manage waste by letting people easily recycle from home. This service picks up recyclables, making it easy for everyone. It’s found in every state and encourages communities to take part in keeping the environment clean.

A small fee, usually £8 to £15 monthly, is often considered good value. It supports recycling benefits.

What is Curbside Recycling?

Curbside recycling aims to make recycling straightforward. Yet, it relies on residents knowing what can go in the bin. Shockingly, a quarter of items in recycling bins don’t belong there. We can recycle things like certain plastics, glass, metal cans, and cardboard.

But, things like wire hangers and electronics must be disposed of differently. Checking local guidelines can boost recycling. In places like Philadelphia, you can even recycle milk cartons and clean cardboard.

The Importance of Recycling for the Environment

Recycling has a big impact on the environment. It cuts down on waste in landfills and saves precious resources. This lowers carbon emissions too.

By recycling at the curb, we all help make the world greener. It also supports programmes aimed at reducing waste. Knowing what to recycle, like rinsing containers, makes recycling more effective. For tips on recycling right, visit this guide.

What Can Go in Recycling Bin

Figuring out what fits in recycling bins is key for better waste management. A lot of household items can be recycled. This reduces rubbish in landfills and helps the planet. It’s important to know your local recycling rules to avoid mistakes that could mess up the recycling process.

General Items Accepted for Recycling

There are many things you can recycle, which is great for reusing stuff. You can normally recycle:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal cans
• Rigid plastics
• Beverage cartons

You can recycle lots of these materials. The more you recycle, the better. Make sure everything is ready and out for collection at the right time.

Common Contaminants to Avoid

About 30% of stuff people try to recycle can’t actually be recycled. To keep recycling working well, don’t put these in your bin:

• Food residue on containers
• Plastic bags
• Sports balls
• Foam products
• Glass windows
• Plus, things like condiment packets and face masks

Hazardous stuff like batteries and medical waste need special disposal. Knowing how to throw stuff away properly makes recycling go smoother. It’s all about following the rules and doing your bit.

Accepted Recyclable Items	Common Contaminants
Paper	Food residue on paper
Cardboard	Plastic bags
Glass bottles	Foam products
Metal cans	Sports balls
Rigid plastics	Glass windows
Beverage cartons	Inevitably, items like condiment packets

Knowing what you can recycle and avoiding mistakes helps everyone. These simple actions boost recycling’s success. It’s about working together for a cleaner environment.

Recycling Plastic Items

Learning about plastic recycling is key in managing waste. Each plastic piece has a recycling number, showing its type. This helps sort them correctly for recycling. Knowing these numbers boosts the success of curbside recycling programmes.

Identifying Plastic Types: Recycling Numbers Explained

Plastics get specific numbers for recycling, from 1 to 7:

• 1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Often found in beverage bottles. It’s a major material in recycling, with about 7.5 million tons collected globally in 2011.
• 2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Used in containers and bottles. About 30% is recycled in the US.
• 3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Recycling is tough, so it’s usually not accepted curbside.
• 4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Usually not picked up in curbside recycling.
• 5 – PP (Polypropylene): Common but only 1-3% gets recycled in the US. It can be turned into useful items like plastic lumber.
• 6 – PS (Polystyrene): Rarely recycled.
• 7 – Other: Contains various plastics not typically recycled.

What Plastics Can Be Recycled Curbside?

To recycle plastics at the curb effectively, know which ones are accepted. Generally, these plastics are okay:

• Bottles and containers with threaded necks
• Jugs and round containers
• Nursery pots larger than 4 inches
• Buckets up to 5 gallons with handles

But some items can contaminate your recycling. Avoid these in your bin:

• Plastic bags and film
• Containers used for hazardous materials
• Lids and trays
• Foam products
• Disposable food containers and cups

Recycling rules can vary by area. In some places like Portland, it’s more about the item’s shape than its plastic number. Always check your local guidelines. Make sure to rinse containers and take off any parts that can’t be recycled. This helps recycle more efficiently.

Recycling Paper and Cardboard

Recycling paper and cardboard is crucial for a sustainable future. It’s easy if materials are clean and uncontaminated. Knowing what to recycle makes a big difference.

Accepted Paper and Cardboard Products

There are many paper and cardboard items you can recycle. Below is a list of often accepted ones:

• Newspapers
• Plain paper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Phone books

Some items, however, are not fit for recycling due to certain materials. Coffee cups, for instance, have a plastic lining that doesn’t mix with paper recycling. But, beverage cartons like those for milk and juice have plastic linings too. Yet, they can go through a special recycling process that separates the plastic.

Common Paper Contaminants and How to Avoid Them

Contaminants make paper recycling less efficient and more costly. To recycle right, here’s what you should do:

1. Don’t recycle food-soiled items, like pizza boxes, because oil makes the cardboard unrecyclable.
2. Paper towels, napkins, and tissues can’t be recycled again because they are often already made from recycled material.
3. Shredded paper can mess up the recycling machines and is usually not accepted.
4. Keep cardboard dry. Wet cardboard can clog recycling machines.
5. Items like wax paper or silicone-coated parchment can’t be separated in the recycling process, so avoid them.

Being careful with what you recycle helps make recycling more effective. Following these tips aids in keeping our recycling efforts strong and beneficial for the environment.

Recycling Glass: How It Works

Glass recycling is key to managing waste sustainably. Understanding it can make recycling more effective. Different recycled glass types are accepted in various programmes. Knowing what can be recycled helps the process run smoother.

What Types of Glass Can Be Recycled?

Commonly accepted glass items include:

• Clear glass containers
• Green glass bottles
• Brown glass jars

Recycling success varies by area. In Europe, about 74% of glass is recycled, but the U.S. only hits 37%. However, some areas nearly reach 90%. Knowing your local rules is crucial for recycling glass properly.

Handling Broken Glass Properly

It’s important to dispose of broken glass carefully. This keeps recycling programs running well and keeps people safe. Here’s what to do:

1. Store broken glass in strong containers to avoid accidents.
2. Don’t put glass shards in recycling bins to prevent contamination.
3. Follow your local guidelines when disposing of broken glass.

Handling broken glass correctly is crucial for recycling success. In the U.S., contamination rates are between 50-60%, which affects recycling. By working together on this, we can make areas safer and improve recycling.

Recycled Glass Types	Environmental Benefits
Container Glass	Reduces air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%
Fibreglass	Uses a lot of recycled glass for insulation
Jar and Bottle Glass	Saves more than 1 ton of natural resources for each ton recycled

By learning what glass can be recycled and managing broken glass well, we can boost recycling rates and help the planet.

Conclusion

Recycling the right way is key to helping our planet. You must know your local recycling rules to do it correctly. This means understanding what goes in the bin and how to prepare it. In 2018, the US saw about 292.4 million tons of waste. Every small action we take to reduce waste matters.

Everyone must join in for recycling to work. But, the rate of recycling dropped from 34.7% in 2015 to 32.1% in 2018. This shows we need to do more. By following the rules and sorting our rubbish, we can avoid mixing things that don’t recycle well. This keeps recycling effective.

Knowing more and forming good habits can make recycling better. It also helps make caring for the environment important for everyone. If we all do our part, we can manage our waste smarter. We can support recycling projects to make a real difference.

FAQ

What items can I put in my recycling bin?

You can usually recycle things like plastics, metals, paper, and glass. This includes bottles, jars, cans, and clean paper. But be sure to check what your local area accepts, as it can differ.

Why is it important to avoid contamination in recycling?

Contamination is a big problem—about 25% of items in bins might not be suitable for recycling. Wrong items, like food residue or plastic bags, can ruin whole collections. This makes recycling less efficient and more expensive.

How can I identify recyclable plastics?

Look for recycling numbers 1 to 7 on plastics. These numbers tell you the type of plastic. Mostly, PET (#1), HDPE (#2), and PP (#5) are recyclable at the curb. Always check your area’s rules.

What paper and cardboard items can be recycled?

You can recycle newspapers, plain paper, and corrugated cardboard if they’re clean and dry. But, things like coated paper might be a no-go. Try to avoid shredding paper and remove grease from pizza boxes.

How should I dispose of broken glass?

Don’t put broken glass in the recycling bin. Wrap it safely and put it in a secure container. Always follow your local advice on how to throw it away without causing harm.

How often should I check for updates on recycling guidelines?

Checking in with your local recycling authority often is smart. Guidelines and what’s accepted can change. This keeps your recycling efforts effective and in line with the latest rules.

Why should I recycle?

Recycling helps reduce waste and cuts carbon emissions. It saves natural resources and supports a green lifestyle. It’s a key part of living sustainably.