Recycling
Recycling 
is a process that has been put into practice as far back as 400 BC, when waste was reused as a result of scarce resources. Though recycling is much more widespread today, it is still not mandated in all U.S. cities. Also, the caliber of recycling programs in each city varies; some states collect only glass, plastic and newspapers while other areas like New York will vary in the items they take: counting plastic coffee cups and cardboard among its recyclables. There has often been debate in the U.S. over whether recycling is effective, implying that the costs to collect and sort recycled items are not equivalent to the resources these programs are protecting. However, certain information shows that recycling and largely implemented programs have been proven effective and therefore recycling is a useful act to perform in your home everyday. So, if you're thinking about getting started, where should you begin? See the guide below!
Reusable Items
These items are recycled in most communities around the country.
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Glass Think empty wine bottles, beer bottles, or even jars. Keep in mind that lids, corks and bottle tops aren't usually included as a recyclable, so be sure to remove these before placing your bottles in the bin. Also, rinse everything out beforehand--it makes things much easier for the collectors. |
Paper The type of paper that we recycle in our homes is defined as post-consumer waste. This covers all manner of periodicals or mixed papers that have been used in your home; for example newspapers and magazines. If you find that you've accumulated a large amount of periodicals that will not fit in your recycling bin, tying stacks of papers together using string or twine is also a useful way to dispose of it. |
Plastic Juice bottles or condiment bottles that have been emptied out are definitely useful for recycling. As with glass bottles, be sure to rinse these out so that there is no lingering liquid left inside. Some cities will recycle all types of plastic, including used Ziploc bags and food packaging, so make sure you read up on the recycling practices of your area before throwing out used plastic. |
Metal Most metal from empty cans can be reused and should therefore be saved for recycling--just be sure to clean them out before placing in the bin. In addition to this, some programs also collect aluminum foil, hangers, old cooking pots and tools. A lot of metal can be reprocessed and reused by various manufacturers around the world. |
Non-Traditional Recyclables
These items are not included in all recycling programs but they can be disposed of in a better way, whether it be in bins or at collection centers. See something on here that your town doesn't pick up? Why not talk to someone in your area about getting these items recycled?
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Cardboard Some areas have started putting the act of recycling cardboard into practice. Empty food or cereal boxes can often be recycled, but remember to break the boxes down, or separate the ends so as to make them flat and easier to dispose. |
Batteries Batteries can and should be recycled in all areas. The practice of disposing of them properly is important since each type of battery undergoes a different recycling process. Also, they contain materials that can be harmful to the environment, which we should definitely aim to avoid. |
Electronics This includes computers and cell phones, which contain certain toxic contents when broken down, a main reason why recycling or reusing these items is not permitted in many areas. However, by separating these items into components, parts can be recovered and reused. |
Clothes Clothes are not recycled through formal pick up programs but rather in the form of consignment shops or clothes swaps. This involves selling or trading your clothes with someone else so that the general public can benefit from your old items rather than throwing them in the trash. Donating clothes to charities and thrift stores is also an effective way to dispose of them. |
Recycling Tips
- For whatever type of recycling you plan on doing, bins are always extremely helpful when it comes to putting items out on the curb. Sometimes your town or city will distribute plastic bins or clear plastic bags to put items inside. You can also pick up a crate at your local department store.
- If you are just moving into a new city or are concerned about recycling practices in your current residence, the Internet is a great resource for looking up recycling methods in your area. Check what can be recycled and if there is any kind of fine or penalty for throwing away items that could otherwise be collected.
- Be neat about stacking or placing items in the recycling bin--collectors aren't going to want to take a soda bottle with a little bit of Pepsi left on the bottom, nor will they collect soggy cardboard boxes. Just because they are collecting your items, this doesn't mean they will clean them out, too! Doing a little bit of work on your part can save the use of precious resources on the other end.
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