A Complete Guide To The Ins and Outs of Recycling

Understanding the ins and outs of recycling starts with one simple truth: according to the NLWA, up to 70% of our waste can be recycled or reused in some capacity, including things you wouldn't expect, like furniture and electronics.

When it comes to going green, there are a lot of ways to start. Here are some of the easiest and most productive.

The Ins and Outs of Recycling: Start with Reduce and Reuse

Before you begin to recycle, take a look at reducing and reusing. We can reduce the amount of waste we produce in many ways. We can purchase well made, quality products that will last longer and need replacement less frequently.

We can use reusable bags when we go to the store, and we can stop buying cases of individual bottles of water, using a refillable water bottle instead, and filling it from the tap.

Much packaging can also be reused instead of being discarded. Many of the containers in which food is sold can be washed and used to store leftovers. Choosing products with recycled content or high recycled materials percentage is another powerful way to extend natural resources and reduce demand for virgin materials.

What Can You Recycle? Common Recyclable Items

Every city is different so check with your community's solid-waste department about what can and cannot be recycled locally. Generally, though, these rules apply to community-level recycling:

Plastic bottles and plastic containers

All plastic bottles with twist-off caps on a neck smaller than the body. This includes shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, laundry detergent, and other household products.

Most plastic food containers used for yogurt, butter, and other condiments are also accepted. Look for the recycling symbol (♻) on the bottom to identify the plastic type.

Paper and cardboard

Cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, newspapers, magazines, birthday cards, phone books, milk cartons, and toilet paper rolls. Keep in mind that pizza boxes with heavy food debris may not be accepted in all programs — check local guidelines. Paper bags from grocery stores are typically recyclable through curbside recycling or drop off locations.

Plastic bags and plastic wrap

Plastic bags and shrink wrap from grocery and retail stores, bread or tortilla bags, produce bags, and more. Important: most curbside recycling programs do not accept plastic bags or plastic film in your bin.

Instead, return plastic bags altogether to drop off locations at many grocery stores that have dedicated collection bins. Never bag your recyclables in plastic bags — bagged recyclables are one of the top causes of recycling contamination at the material recovery facility.

Metal cans and glass bottles

Metal cans, tins, kitchen foil, and empty aerosol cans. Glass bottles and jars are recyclable in many local recycling programs, though some curbside programs require you to take glass to a separate drop off location. Broken glass should never be placed in your recycling container — it poses a safety hazard for workers and can contaminate other recyclables.

E-waste and electronics

Old electronics including TVs, monitors, ink cartridges, and mobile phones require special handling and cannot go in your standard recycling bin. If your local recycling program doesn't accept e-waste, many electronics and office supply stores will accept them for recycling.

Light bulbs, especially fluorescent and CFL types, also require special handling and should not go in regular trash or recycling.

What NOT to Put in Your Recycling Bin: Non-Recyclable Items to Know

Knowing what not to recycle is just as important as knowing what to recycle. Placing non-recyclable items in the bin causes recycling contamination, which can result in entire loads being sent to the landfill. Common non-recyclable items include:

• Polystyrene foam (styrofoam cups, packaging blocks) — these are not accepted by most curbside recycling programs and require separate disposal options.
• Dirty diapers — Always trash, never recyclables.
• Food waste and food residue — Recyclable materials soiled with food scraps or food residue are often rejected at recycling facilities. Always rinse containers before placing them in your recycling container. Even small amounts of food debris can contaminate an entire batch of recyclables.
• Household hazardous waste — Items like paint, batteries, chemicals, and certain light bulbs require special handling. Contact your local recycling program for proper disposal options.
• Large appliances — Large appliances need to go through specific recycling programs and cannot be placed in standard bins. Check with your local recycling facility for accepted items.

The golden rule: when in doubt, check local guidelines. Only recycle items you are sure are accepted — only what belongs in the bin should go in the bin. When you're unsure, it's always better to trash an item than to contaminate the recycling stream.

How the Recycling Process Works

Once recyclable items leave your recycling bin, they travel to a material recovery facility (also called an MRF), where the recycling process begins. Workers and machines sort materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal into separate streams.

Clean recyclables are then baled and sent to recycling facilities that process them into recycled materials — which manufacturers then use to make new products, reducing dependence on virgin materials and conserving natural resources.

This is why what you put in your bin matters so much. Recycling contamination — from food residue, bagged recyclables, broken glass, or other materials that don't belong — forces facilities to reject entire loads. Understanding how recycling facilities operate helps you become a more effective recycler.

How to Set Up a Recycling System at Home

Once you understand what to recycle, setting up a system in your home can make it easy for the whole family:

• Set a recycling bin next to the garbage can and mark it for recyclables. You can attach a list or pictures of the items that go in the recycling bin.
• Add bins to the bathrooms and home office to make it convenient for those areas of the house.
• Find out if your city supplies recycling containers (similar to your city's garbage cans) and get the schedule for local pickups as part of your curbside recycling service.
• Locate additional recycling drop-off points nearby for items not accepted curbside — like glass bottles, plastic film, and e-waste. Many drop off locations can be found near schools and other convenient locations.

Curbside Recycling vs. Drop Off Locations: Know Your Recycling Options

Your local recycling program may offer both curbside recycling and drop off locations for items accepted through each channel. Curbside recycling typically handles paper and cardboard, plastic bottles, plastic containers, metal cans, and sometimes glass.

Items like plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic film, household hazardous waste, e-waste, and large appliances usually require separate drop off locations or special recycling programs.

Always check local guidelines — what's accepted varies widely by municipality. When you check local programs in your area, you'll often find more recycling options than you might expect, including special collection days for items that require special handling.

Go the Extra Mile: Recycling Tips Beyond the Bin

• Buy products that have been made with recycled goods — look for labels indicating recycled content to support demand for recycled materials.
• Compost green cuttings and kitchen waste (food scraps) for gardening. Composting is one of the best ways to give food waste a second life instead of sending it to the landfill.
• Donate old furniture, tires, and any other useable items you no longer need to local thrift stores or a charity. Donation gives items a second life and keeps them out of the trash.
• Avoid polystyrene foam and single-use plastic wrap when shopping — these are among the most difficult materials to recycle and are often non-recyclable items in standard programs.
• Use reusable bags instead of paper bags or plastic bags to reduce waste at the source.

Start Small, Think Big: Every Recycling Effort Counts

Start by finding one thing to practice, and integrate additional recycling tips as you go. Even the smallest effort helps reduce inputs to landfills, supports recycling facilities, and improves the environment.

As you look to recycle, you may also consider increasing the energy efficiency of your living spaces. Upgrading the overall energy efficiency of your home or commercial office works hand-in-hand with waste reduction.

For example, installing solar panels is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on your energy bill. Contact us for more information.

The ins and outs of recycling may seem complex, but once you know which recyclable materials and recyclable items your local program accepts, it becomes second nature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling

Can I put plastic bags in my recycling bin?

No. Plastic bags and plastic film should never go in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, return plastic bags altogether to drop off locations at participating grocery stores. Bagged recyclables are a leading cause of recycling contamination.

Do I need to rinse food containers before recycling?

Yes. Always rinse food containers to remove food residue before placing them in your recycling container. Food debris can contaminate other recyclables and cause entire loads to be rejected at the material recovery facility.

What do I do with e-waste and light bulbs?

E-waste and certain light bulbs require special handling. Check with your local recycling facility or local recycling program for accepted items and drop off locations in your area.

What is the recycling symbol on plastic?

The recycling symbol with a number inside (1–7) identifies the type of plastic. Not all plastic types are accepted by every local program — check local guidelines to confirm which plastics your curbside recycling or local recycling facility accepts.

What items are non-recyclable?

Common non-recyclable items include polystyrene foam, dirty diapers, broken glass, plastic wrap and plastic film (in curbside bins), household hazardous waste, and food-soiled pizza boxes. When in doubt, check local programs before putting anything in the bin.