Recycling is the process by which used resources can be broken down and made into brand new products. Doing so reduces waste and keeps valuable materials that can be re-used out of landfills. Most people who take the time to recycle have good intentions. Unfortunately, there are some things you should not put in your recycling bin!
The main thing to worry about is cross contamination. All it takes to ruin a bin full of useful recyclables is one greasy pizza box. In general, cardboard can be recycled – but not if it has been contaminated with grease and food particles. Even worse, those food particles can cause the good recyclables that are in the bin to be thrown into the trash.
Don’t put these things in the recycle bin:
Plastic bags – Plastic bags can get caught in the machinery that is used to sort recyclables. When that happens, the plastic bag has to be melted off, which releases harmful chemicals. Don’t put your plastic grocery bags into your recycle bin. Don’t put a bag full of recyclables into the recycle bin. Take them out of the plastic bag first!
Frozen food boxes – At first glance, these may look like they are recyclable, but they are not. They are lined with a plastic polymer that helps to insulate the frozen food. It is sort of like a wax coating. This makes them impossible to recycle. On the other hand, if you take the time to clean a plastic frozen food tray – that can be recycled.
Pizza boxes – Take a close look at your pizza box before putting it into the recycling bin. Sometimes, the top part of the cardboard pizza box stays clean. If the top does not have any grease or food particles on it, it might be eligible for recycling. The bottom part of the pizza box is a lost cause and should be thrown into the trash.
Batteries – Some types of batteries may be recyclable, but they still don’t belong in a recycling bin. Instead, take your old batteries to Best Buy, who might be able to safely recycle them for you. It would be a good idea to call the store before you go.
Styrofoam – Did you take home some leftovers? Before you put the container into the recycle bin, check to see what it is made of. Styrofoam cannot be recycled at all, no matter how clean it appears to be. Throw it in the trash.
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