Recycling is one of the best things that you can do as a consumer to reduce waste and protect the environment. The recycling industry has grown significantly over the years, and individuals can now do much more than just recycle their old newspapers. Knowing what you can, and cannot, recycle will help you become a very savvy recycler.
Common Items That Can Be Recycled
• Plastic Bottles. You can recycle all your plastic bottles, not just the clear plastic. New technologies allow the recycle plant to remove the color from plastic when it is being recycled. Everything from laundry soap, shampoo bottles, and drink bottles can go into the recycle bin.
• Aluminum. All aluminum products can go into the recycle bin. You can even place clean cans from canned food into the bin.
• Cardboard. This includes all types of packaging materials. Do not forget to put cereal boxes, food packages, and all boxes into the bin.
• Styrofoam. Some areas will allow you to recycle Styrofoam if you keep it in a separate container. This will take care of packing materials and the bottoms of your meat containers.
• Glass. All glass, regardless of color or thickness can be recycled. Make sure that you rinse out food containers before placing them in the recycle bin.
• Newspaper. I you still get the newspaper at home, you should make an effort to recycle the paper. In addition, you can recycle old phone books, junk mail that does not have your name on it, magazines and all paper filling material. In addition, if you shred all of your documents with your name or information on, you can also recycle the shredded material.
Common Items That Cannot Be Recycled
• Aerosol Cans. Any type of cleaning can, spray paint, or hair spray can cannot be recycled. The pressure build up in the cans can cause an explosion when they are being crushed in the recycling plant.
• Batteries. Any type of battery, from small watch battery to a large truck battery must go to a special processing plant to be recycled. The acid in the batteries must be specially handled.
• Light Bulbs. Regular incandescent bulbs can be recycled easily, but florescent bulbs must have special handling.
• Paint. Paint must be taken to a special facility to be recycled. Many municipalities will offer a special pick up day for these types of materials.
• Building Materials. While some building materials may be very eco-friendly, many older buildings were constructed from materials later found to be unsafe for the environment. All building materials are required to go into a special trash container for pick up.
• Electronics. Most electronics are not environmentally friendly. You should not throw out computers, cell phones, televisions, DVD players or any other type of electronic. However, there are many businesses that will pay you for these old pieces and strip the components down for the precious metals and then dispose of the remnants properly.
Recycling can have a very positive impact on any area in which it is implemented. A cleaner environment is better for everyone. Thankfully, sorting out your recyclables is very easy, and most areas have a full recycling program in place.
