Recycling seems simple enough—toss items in the blue bin and you’re doing your part to save the planet. But the reality is that many well-intentioned homeowners recycle incorrectly, contaminating entire batches of recyclables and sending them straight to the landfill.
With the U.S. producing 12% of the world’s trash despite only accounting for 4% of its population, it’s crucial to get recycling right. This guide will help you understand proper recycling practices, set up an effective home recycling system, and even get the kids involved in this important eco-friendly habit.
Why Should You Recycle?
Reduces carbon footprint: Recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy required to produce them from raw materials.
Preserves natural resources: Recycling reduces the need for mining raw materials, protecting ecosystems and wildlife.
Decreases landfill waste: Proper recycling keeps items out of rapidly filling landfills.
Prevents pollution: Recycling helps reduce air and water pollution associated with manufacturing.
Creates jobs: The recycling industry accounts for over 680,000 jobs in the U.S.
What Can Be Recycled?
Recycling guidelines vary based on location, so always check with your local government if you’re not sure. Below are the most common categories of recyclable materials.
Aluminum/Metal
Aluminum and metal recycling is highly efficient and saves significant energy and resources compared to producing new materials. Recyclable metal items include beverage cans, food cans, tin foil, and scrap metal. Always clean metal items thoroughly to avoid contaminating recyclable batches. If an item is difficult to clean, it’s better to dispose of it in the trash.
Read More: Metal Roof Recycling: A Sustainable Solution
Paper Products/Cardboard
Paper and cardboard recycling plays a vital role in reducing waste, with a relatively high recycling rate of 68% in the U.S. Recyclable paper products include cardboard boxes, milk or juice cartons, newspaper, printer paper, frozen food boxes, ream wrappers, file folders, and poster board. Make sure items are free of food residue. Curbside programs might have specific requirements, such as accepting only corrugated cardboard, so check your local guidelines.
Plastics
Despite the prevalence of plastic in modern life, only a small percentage finds its way back into circulation through recycling. Properly cleaning and sorting plastics can help increase this percentage. Recyclable plastics include water and soda bottles, plastic beverage jugs, takeout containers, and jugs and tubs labeled No. 1 or 2. Some plastics can be recycled curbside, and others require special facilities—always check the numbers on your plastics.
What Can’t Be Recycled
Many materials pose challenges to recycling programs, often contaminating efforts to sort and reuse resources efficiently. Avoid placing the following items in recycling bins:
- Food scraps (consider composting instead)
- Plastic shopping bags (most retailers offer bag recycling)
- Food-tainted items (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- Snack bags or candy wrappers
- Paint buckets
- Ceramics and kitchenware
- Glassware (non-bottles or jars)
- Broken glass
- Windows or mirrors
- Plastic wrap
- Bubble wrap or packing peanuts
- Styrofoam
- Photographs
- Medical waste
- Wood
- Yard waste
- Six-pack rings
- Frozen food bags
Other Materials and Recycling
Recycling can extend beyond traditional curbside items, but some other items require special facilities or unique handling methods. Here are some materials that need special disposal:
- Textiles/clothing
- Light bulbs
- Fluorescent tubes
- Batteries
- Computers/electronics
- Yard waste
Search phrases like “how to recycle [item] near me” to locate appropriate recycling centers.
Do’s and Don’ts of Recycling
Navigating the nuances of recycling rules can be challenging. Guidelines vary by region, but these tips can help you start to form better recycling habits:
- Check local recycling guidelines: Each area may have specific rules.
- Clean all containers before recycling: To avoid contamination.
- Break down cardboard boxes: This saves space and increases efficiency.
- Keep metal can lids attached: Folding them inwards can prevent sharp edges.
- Separate materials by type: Sorting helps streamline the recycling process.
- Put non-recyclable items in the recycling bin: This contaminates other materials.
- Recycle plastics numbered 3-7 in curbside bins: These often require special facilities.
- Flatten cartons or bottles: Flat items can be troublesome for some sorting machines.
- Recycle glass from windows, mirrors, or drinkware: These need special treatment.
How Are Products Recycled?
It’s easier to appreciate the value of recycling when you understand the processes involved. Here’s a look at how common recyclables are transformed.
Aluminum/Metal
The recycling journey of aluminum and metal begins with sorting and cleaning. After processing at treatment plants, the metals are melted down into liquid form. This liquid metal is cast into ingots, large blocks that are rolled into thin sheets for various uses.
Cardboard
During recycling, cardboard is shredded and dissolved into a pulp. Contaminants are filtered out, and the pulp is rolled and dried to form sheets. These sheets are repurposed into new products.
Paper (Office and Newspaper)
Paper recycling involves combining paper products with water and chemicals to create pulp. This pulp is then washed, molded, and pressed to transform it into new paper products.
Plastic
Workers sort plastic by type before it undergoes a shredding and washing process. The resultant plastic is melted into pellets, providing raw material for manufacturing new products.
How to Create a Home Recycling System
An organized approach to home recycling can lead to better habits. Here are our steps for establishing such a system:
If your city offers curbside recycling, make sure you’re aware of what items it accepts and what day your recycling pickup is.
Many cities require you to separate curbside recycling into separate bins. If you’re in charge of bringing recyclables to a recycling center, we recommend buying separate recycling bins and labeling them by type (i.e., plastic, cans, cardboard, paper).
Do you get a lot of junk mail? Do you buy unnecessary plastic products? Maybe you have a lot of items shipped to your home? There are ways to reduce your waste and create fewer recycling headaches:
- See if you can get a “no junk mail” sticker for your mailbox.
- Opt out of junk mail by going to the website DMAchoice.org.
- See if there are options for reduced shipping materials when ordering online.
- Sign up for e-notifications or statements for your bank or other service providers.
Stay on top of your recycling by breaking down materials and sorting them into bins. If you have curbside recycling, set a phone reminder for the night before pickup.
Teaching Kids How To Recycle
Introducing recycling concepts to children makes it a family endeavor and instills eco-conscious mindsets early on. Create kid-sized recycling bins for bedrooms or playrooms, and organize recycling scavenger hunts around the house. Encourage children to donate outgrown toys and clothes, which can teach lessons about reuse and community.
Use recyclable materials for DIY craft projects—for example, make bird feeders from plastic bottles or jugs. You can also make and play zero-waste games using recycled materials. Local libraries often have books for children about recycling and other environmental topics and sometimes organize collections themselves.
Recycling and Eco Terms Glossary
Understanding recycling-specific terminology can demystify the process and make homeowners more proactive. Below is a glossary of terms:
- Biodegradable: Materials that can naturally break down into water or carbon dioxide over time.
- Commingled container: A single bin for mixed recyclable materials that streamlines collection.
- Compactor: A machine that compresses materials into a dense mass, reducing space needed for disposal.
- E-waste: Electronic components that can be disassembled and recycled, reducing toxic waste.
- Hazardous waste: Toxic materials requiring special disposal methods to avoid harming the environment.
- Landfill: A managed site for burying and controlling solid waste, often equipped to limit environmental impact.
- Renewable energy: Energy derived from natural, replenishable sources like sun or wind, fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem.
