A Practical Guide To Reducing Waste & Recycling

  

REDUCING WASTE AND RECYCLING CAN BE COMPLICATED.
HERE IS SOME BASIC INFORMATION AND WAYS ANYBODY CAN HELP.

(KEEP IN MIND THIS GUIDE IS MEANT TO BE GENERIC BUT REGULATIONS IN YOUR AREA MAY DIFFER.)

RECYCLABLE

glass bottles and jars
aluminum cans (rinse and do not crush)
aluminum foil & trays (clean any food residue)
cardboard tubes from paper towel & toilet paper rolls
wrappers on individual toilet paper rolls
cardboard containers without food stuck to them
pasta boxes (remove plastic from the “window” first)
paper grocery bags
non-glossy wrapping paper
envelopes (cut around and throw out the flimsy plastic screens)
regular printer and notebook paper (but not if shredded)
junk mail, magazines, newspapers, greeting cards

NOT RECYCLABLE

single-use plastics such as utensils, straws, and microwavable dinner covers
pizza boxes with grease and/or cheese on them
windows, mirrors, drinking glasses
common batteries (can be dropped off at Home Depot or Lowe’s)
used paper plates, towels, napkins
cans of paint, hair spray, motor oil, drain un-cloggers (contact a hazardous waste center)
medical prescription bottles (contact your local pharmacy)
most regular receipts
foam egg cartons and packing peanuts
cardboard liquid cartons, even with recycling logos on them (they are technically recyclable but often contain difficult-to-separate plastic linings and aluminum)

TYPES OF PLASTIC

water/soda bottles, peanut butter jars, olive (and other) oil containers

rinse out containers, re-attach caps, leave labels attached

*recyclable curbside*

milk & juice containers, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent, household cleaners

*recyclable curbside*

(also labeled PVC - polyvinyl chloride)

household pipes, gift cards, hotel key cards, luggage tags, water filters

*possibly re-usable; contact local waste management and/or EarthworksSystem.com*

shopping bags, food containers (like Tupperware), toothpaste tubes

*often not recyclable; some can be dropped off at a store with such a program*

hot liquid containers, medicine bottles, yogurt tubs

*increasingly accepted curbside but check local regulations*

foam products such as Styrofoam pieces, cups, plates, restaurant containers

*not recyclable; re-use for mailing, moving, insulation or donate to shipping companies*

sports drink jugs, CDs & DVDs, Kevlar, sunglasses, nylon, cell phone cases

*not recyclable; try to re-use instead of trashing*

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THE FOLLOWING CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT SHOPRITE, KROGER, AND OTHER STORES PARTNERED WITH TERRACYCLE, A COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN RE-PURPOSING DIFFICULT-TO-RECYCLE MATERIALS:

be sure to rinse these items and clear off any food residue, stickers, etc.

*cereal bags
*plastic shopping bags
*bubble wrap
*some potato chip, pretzel, & other snack bags
*newspaper bags
*bread bags
*coffee pods (such as K-cups)
*some water filters
*rinsed deodorant tubes
*sandwich bags (such as Ziploc; cut off zippers first)

A good rule is to put plastics numbered 1 and 2 to the curb, ask your local collector about 5, and consider re-purposing the others or dropping them off for TerraCycle.

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SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE WASTE

** drink filtered water from re-usable bottles **

** re-use shopping bags (even plastic ones) **

** ask restaurants for no straws and utensils with food orders **
[consider carrying re-usable straws/utensils made of bamboo or metal]

** use washable cloth napkins instead of paper **

** bring your own coffee mug when traveling **

** focus on buying products with #1 or #2 recycling logos **

** place (extinguished!!!) cigarette butts in the trash **

** donate old toys, such as puzzles and Legos **

** donate unwanted kitchen utensils and appliances **

** donate worn (but not TOO worn) shoes and clothes **

** donate used-but-in-good-condition pet toys and supplies to participating shelters **

** donate books, tools, and other household items **

** swap chemical-based toothpaste in non-recyclable tubes for bits by Bite **

** use washable handkerchiefs instead of tissues **

** turn off water and lights when not actively being used **

** “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” **

** do not flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet; this includes paper towels, diapers, tissues, and wet wipes (even “flushable” ones) **
[these do not disintegrate and could cause sewage back-ups]

** quickly and easily install a bidet (bih-day) on your toilet; it does feel weird but your butt, wallet, and environment will thank you **

** bring used electronics (cell phones, lap-tops, etc.) to Best Buy, Apple, or a local charity **

** bring packing foam (not peanuts) to a nearby foam drive or plastic #6 recycling center **

** send empty ink cartridges to office supply stores and/or printer manufacturers **

** download the free Recycle Coach app **

** Most importantly, DO NOT LITTER. Waste in a bag is better than trash on the ground. **

 

 

SOURCES:
how2recycle.info, goodhousekeeping.com, earth911.com, terracycle.com, acmeplastics.com, epa.gov

DISCLAIMER:
the creator of this is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned

SEND COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS TO
Rob Cottignies at spoolygoo@outlook.com