Recycle, Reduce, Reuse: Items You’re Recycling Wrong
Recycle, Reduce, Reuse: 9 Items You’re Recycling Wrong
You likely already know that it’s important for consumers to recycle, reduce, and reuse. But are you an aspirational recycler?
You wish EVERYTHING was recyclable. You place nearly every item in the recycle bin, cross your fingers + hope for the best.
There are big problems with Aspirational Recycling. Non-recyclable items contaminate the recycling stream + cause clog the facility’s equipment. Aspirational Recycling raises the overall cost of recycling + demands additional manpower, too.
Instead, be a smart recycler. Contact your local recycling provider and follow their guidelines.
Be informed, too: Those symbols on the bottom of plastic containers are actually quite important. (Learn about the different plastic codes here.)
Read on for 9 items that are commonly mishandled (as well as ways to dispose of them properly!).
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Items That are Commonly Mishandled
1. Pizza Boxes
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That cardboard box your pizza comes in? It’s useless, at least from a recycling standpoint.
If the top is unsoiled, cut it off + recycle. Throw the remaining pieces in the trashcan.
2. Old Wrapping Paper
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It’s sad but true: The dyes and additives that make wrapping paper shiny, glittery + festive also make the paper unrecyclable.
Purchase recyclable + compostable gift wrap, like Wrappily.
– Or –
Make your own!
3. Bottle Caps
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Some municipalities reject all bottle caps while other accept caps only when firmly screwed on to the bottle.
Get informed! Check your local rules.
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4. Lined Cartons
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Lined cartons include orange juice + milk cartons, as well as the boxy things that hold vegetable, chicken + beef broths.
If you are a Single Stream Recycler (if you separate your recycling at home) be sure to recycle lined cartons with the plastics, not the papers.
5. Plastic Bags
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Plastic bags clog recycling machinery.
Break the plastic bag habit altogether by getting on the fabric bag bandwagon.
6. Takeout Containers
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Some brands are recyclable but most aren’t.
If the containers from your favorite restaurant are recyclable, make sure you rinse them out before placing them in the bin.
Bring your own containers! Just be sure to alert the restaurant that you’d prefer the food to be packaged in your plastic or glass containers when ordering.
7. To-Go Coffee Cups
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Disposable cups are lined with polyethylene, a.k.a. plastic. Unfortunately, the presence of polyethylene renders these cups completely unrecyclable.
Bring your own mug to your favorite coffee shop. Simple!
8. Diapers
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests you first flush the excrement down the toilet, then discard just the diaper in the trashcan.
9. Yogurt Cups
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Plastics 3 to 7 (used for things like yogurt cups, spread tubs + vegetable oil bottles) used to be widely recyclable in the United States.
But China recently banned used plastics; therefore, many municipalities no longer accept them.
Purchase yogurt in glass jars, or make yogurt at home.
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