Recycling Tips
We all know the importance of recycling, and yet, it isn’t as simple as just tossing an item into the recycle bin and calling it a day. Let’s look at some tips and some misconceptions.
What Can Be Recycled?
***These can vary from place to place, so this list is general. For specifics, please contact your local recycling center!
Paper products: This is an easy one. Almost all types of paper can be recycled, but there are some exceptions. Exceptions: Most receipts, thermal paper cups (though check with your local center, as some places are equipped to hold them), paper towels, tissues, paper with layers of paint, crayon, or glitter. Items with food or grease, like pizza boxes (check with your local center for this one too!) Cardboard items with plastic inside, like milk cartons, generally cannot be recycled. Wrapping paper can be recycled, as long as there’s no foil or glitter.
Plastic products: Plastics that have a little triangle made of arrows with a number 1-7 inside of it can be recycled in most places. Because the numbers represent different types of plastics, some recycling centers can only accept particular types. For example, ours in New Orleans only takes plastics numbers one and two. Tips: For soda bottles/water bottles, make sure the lid is on. Though the bottle can be recycled with them, lids cannot be recycled without the bottle. Make sure containers are clean from any food. Plastic wrap and plastic bags cannot be recycled, though some stores do have plastic bag drop-offs.
Aluminum: Aluminum is infinitely recyclable! However, there are some things to consider: In many places, you can turn in soda cans for money. If you’re putting all recycled items together in one bin (often fine, especially for curb-side pickup), best not to crush them because doing so can make it more difficult for the cans to be sorted. Also, if you have aluminium foil, it is technically recyclable, but some places are unable to process it. Check with your local recycling center!
Steel cans: Soup cans are an example of these. Like aluminum, steel is infinitely recyclable. However, both aluminum and steel “tin” cans contain some type of liner, sometimes made with BPA or other chemicals. Not only do they affect your health, these liners shed microplastics. Are they still worth recycling? Yes, but it’s just something to consider!
Glass: Glass is also infinitely recyclable. However, due to safety concerns, it is not accepted everywhere. Check in with your local center before adding it to your bin or dropping it off.
Electronics: Between an industry that often produces things to break within a few years and a society that is greedy for the next new, “better” tech toy, we tend to discard items like computers, tablets, and phones quite quickly. If they are still usable, consider selling them or donating them. However, if they are broken beyond repair, ask your recycling center if they take electronics. Many do!
This is not an exhaustive list, by any means! Check with your recycling center as well as local volunteer organizations if they are able to process and recycle other items. For example, there is a non-profit in New Orleans that accepts old fabric and worn-out clothes for upcycling. Find out what is in your area!
