What are Some Recyclable Items?

It is not as difficult to "go green" as you might think. The first step really is developing awareness and asking the question, "Which items can I recycle?" You may be surprised at the answer.

Most people know that common recyclable items include glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard. Some localities provide recycling pick-up, where you simply put your designated recycling bins out on the curb. Other places offer recycling drop-off locations, where you can bring your items for recycling and put them into bins. Always check the rules and be courteous -- wash out glass and plastic containers, separate colored glass if it is required, remove caps, and follow any other restrictions put in place.

Other items that are important to recycle but are often forgotten are hazardous materials such as batteries, paint, electronics, pesticides, and motor oil. The reason these recyclable items are important is because they often contain toxic chemicals that can leach into the soil or groundwater. Contact your local recycling center to find out how to recycle these items, or any other recyclable items that you have questions about.

You should also remember that almost all metal items are recyclable. You can search online for companies that will pick up old metal appliances, fire extinguishers, and even old cars for spare parts. Generally, when you purchase a new set of tires, the company will take and recycle the old ones. This is occasionally true with new appliances or even big electronics purchases. It is a good idea to check and make sure.

Get creative with your recycling. If you buy a new computer, ask the company if they provide a recycling program for old computers -- frequently, you will be able to mail your old computer back to the company at little or no cost to you. If the company does not take your computer and it still functions well, consider donating it to a charity.

Donating items to a charity is a great way to recycle and help others at the same time. Consider donating furniture, toys, old clothes, eyeglasses, musical instruments, or even appliances. Old cell phones are often collected for soldiers to use while overseas. If you have a favorite charity, taking a moment to call and ask a few questions can help you plan ahead for donations.

If you have old books, CDs or DVDs that you wish to get rid of, consider signing up for a trading service. It is easy to find a program like this online -- most will allow you to create a list of items you have along with a list of items you want. You will then be able to trade with other people without having to throw anything away.

There are other ways to live in an earth friendly way as well. Using reusable water bottles and eco-friendly canvas bags for grocery shopping can cut down on the amount of waste created and the amount of recycling you need to do. If you stop and consider it, recyclable items are everywhere. You just need to look.

Most types of paper are recyclable, including newspapers, magazines, office paper, and cardboard. However, paper contaminated with food, grease, or other waste often cannot be recycled. According to the American Forest & Paper Association, in 2018, 68.1% of paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling, highlighting the importance of proper paper disposal.

Yes, glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled indefinitely without losing purity or quality. The Glass Packaging Institute notes that recycled glass can be used to make new bottles and jars, and recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a computer for 30 minutes.

Plastic bags generally cannot be recycled through curbside programs because they can entangle machinery. However, many grocery stores offer collection bins for plastic bags and wraps. The Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes the importance of returning these items to designated drop-off locations to ensure they are properly recycled.

Aluminum and steel are the most commonly recycled metals. Recycling aluminum saves 90-95% of the energy needed to make new metal, while steel recycling saves about 74% of the energy. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries reports that recycling metal also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves natural resources, and supports the economy.

Recycling rules vary by location, so it's best to check with your local recycling program. Many municipalities provide guidelines on their websites or offer apps that detail what can be recycled. The Earth911 Recycling Search is also a helpful tool for determining recyclability based on your zip code.

Rinsing containers removes food residue and contaminants, which can spoil entire batches of recycling. According to Recycle Across America, clean recyclables are more likely to be recycled into new products, as contamination can render materials unrecyclable, leading to higher processing costs and environmental harm.