Home > Practices > Recycling 101
Recycling is a great means of being more eco-friendly. All of the plastic production around the world is severely harming our planet in many ways. Instead of throwing out plastic goods to end up in the ocean and landfills, recycling can increase the life of products, keep our planet cleaner, and conserve energy. Unfortunately, recycling is extremely confusing; there are several myths and misconceptions about the practice and it is hard to know what is and isn’t recyclable. Here’s our basic guide to help you best sort your trash and recycling.
Recycle These!
Plastic Containers
***rinse off or clean the container and replace the lid before tossing in the bin
Aluminum Cans
***rinse off or clean the container and replace the lid before tossing in the bin
Paper, Cardboard, & Cartons
***break down boxes before putting in the bin
Glass Bottles
***some states or cities require a separate glass recycling bin–check what your location allows
Don’t Recycle These!
Plastic bags
***when taking out recycling don’t put items in a plastic bag or they won’t be accepted. Try reducing or reusing instead!
styrofoam
***reduce use of these products
Plastic wrap & cups with plastic/wax coating
***reduce or reuse these items instead!
household items
***if these items are in good or okay condition, consider donating or reselling them!
***It is still a good rule of thumb to check items for the three arrows recyclable logo. That being said, not all with the logo are actually recyclable (frustrating, right?). If the logo has a 1 or 2 it is good to go in the recycling bin. If it has a number between 3 and 7 it may require drop off at a specific recycling location.
Need more information?
Check out some frequently asked questions from the Environmental Protection Agency or more detailed tips from Waste Management Services.