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.

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.