Guide to Recycling
What can be recycled?
PLASTICSbags:
Plastic bags that are typically recycled into recycled plastic products
* Grocery bags
* Retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
* Paper towel and toilet paper plastic wrap
* Plastic newspaper bags
* Plastic dry cleaning bags
* All clean, clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4
Please recycle only plastic bags that are clean and dry. Please
remove receipts.
bottles:
Rinse and sort your plastic containers by number if possible–the number inside the recycle arrows/triangle on the bottom. Types 3, 5, and 7 might not be recyclable. (But might be in your area.) Take caps and pump spray tops off of plastic containers unless they are marked with a number. They are often made from a type of plastic that is different from the main part of the container and generally are not recyclable.
The Seven Types of Plastic
#1 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)*: soda bottles, oven-ready meal trays and water bottles
#2 HDPE (High-density polyethylene)*: milk bottles, detergent bottles and grocery/trash/retail bags
#3 PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): plastic food wrap, loose-leaf binders and plastic pipes
#4 LDPE (Low-density polyethylene): dry cleaning bags, produce bags and squeezable bottles
#5 PP (Polypropylene): medicine bottles, aerosol caps and drinking straws
#6 PS (Polystyrene): compact disc jackets, packaging Styrofoam peanuts and plastic tableware
#7 Other: reusable water bottles, certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware
*PET and HDPE are the most common forms of plastic, so they are the easiest to recycle
other plastic
I.e. plastic hangers, toys, plastic hangars, trash cans, shelves, baskets, rain ponchos, and many other products. Please include a description of what you have.
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GLASSbottles
Most soda bottles, food containers, beer, wine, and liquor bottles, and juice containers can be recycled. Rinse and recycle bottle glass of any color, including green, clear and amber (sort if possible.) Throw out anything ceramic, as it will contaminate the glass as it is being recycled. Discard mixed color and broken glass – it is hard to sort and can’t be recycled. Also leave out mirrors, windows, Pyrex, light bulbs, and glass tableware.
other glass
Anything from windows, windshields, light bulbs, mirrors, broken glass. Please note specifically what you have. Some items may be difficult to recycle.
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ALUMINUMcans
Most drink cans can be recycled. Please rinse if possible. Should be clean and dry
foil
Includes food or cooking containers. Clean off any food particle or contaminants. Should be clean and dry.
other
Includes building materials, even car engine blocks, and alloy wheels. Please indicate exactly what you are recycling.
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ASEPTIC PACKAGINGCommonly called ‘drink boxes’, includes soy-milk containers, and other similar paperboard containers such as milk cartons/containers. Please rinse if possible. Should be clean and dry if possible.
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PAPERwhite office paper
White non- colored, usually from laser printers or copiers. Be sure to remove the paper wrappers they come in. These are a lower grade of paper and cannot be recycled with the white office paper and should be recycled with mixed-color paper. Staples are ok.
Mixed-color office paper
Separate this from your white office paper. Include the paper wrappers from the white paper. Staples are ok.
Corrugated boxes
Moving and storage boxes are great. But, no contaminated boxes, like greasy pizza boxes.
Phone books
Some phone books use a glue that interferes with recycling. Printed in your phone book should be information on the source and type of paper used, the nature of the binding, check first.
Newspaper
Take newspapers, and place them in brown bags, which can be recycled with newspapers, or tie them in bundles with twine (a natural fiber). Colored advertising inserts can also be recycled with newspapers. Be sure to remove rubber bands, plastic and anything that is not paper.
Mixed Paper
Everything you can imagine from magazines to packaging is acceptable. Remove all plastic stickers, membership cards and anything that is not paper. The paper must still be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other contamination. most junk mail can be recycled as mixed paper. Due to new technology, plastic window envelopes and staples are generally ok.
Paper that cannot be recycled as normal “mixed paper” includes: food contaminated paper, waxed paper, waxed cardboard milk & juice containers, oil soaked paper, carbon paper, sanitary products or tissues, stickers and plastic laminated paper such as fast food wrappers, juice boxes, and pet food bags. Paperboard cartons such as cereal boxes, waxed cardboard used for packaging fresh vegetables, and other non-corrugated boxes cannot be recycled as cardboard but may be recycled with mixed paper products.
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OLD REFRIGERATORS, HEAT PUMPS & AIR CONDITIONERSRefrigerator Parts
If recycling parts, if possible make sure the CFC’s [freon, etc] are drained out and recycled separately (otherwise note this so that who is coming for them knows how to handle the parts.) If possible, check to see if they know how to perform this important service — ask before you let them take your old equipment away. Also, please note what parts you have exactly.
Refrigerators
Want to upgrade? Let the ‘recyclists’ haul away your old, broken or energy wasting refrigerator. Many of them will part it out or refurbish them for charities, etc. Please make sure your old unit is empty when it is picked up.
Air Conditioners
Air-conditioning systems are primarily made of highly recyclable materials–steel and plastic. In fact, the Appliance Recycling Consortium estimates that some 90 percent of all steel from appliances is recycled. Discarding used air-conditioning equipment requires some care to ensure that the coolants, which can cause ozone depletion, are not released to the air. Your area may require the safe removal of any coolants before it will haul a discarded unit away.
Air Conditioner Parts
Many components of air conditioners (window units or complete home or automobile systems) can be rebuilt or reused. Even recycled themselves. Discarding used air-conditioning equipment requires some care to ensure that the coolants, which can cause ozone depletion, are not released to the air.
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CFC’SR12:
Also known as Dichlorodifluoromethane. Freon, etc, from air conditioning, refrigerators, etc. Recovered Freon has a high value in today’s market and is recyclable. “Freon” is actually a trade name that describes a whole class of chemicals used in refrigeration.
Freon is highly regulated. It is illegal to vent or evaporate Freon or other CFCs to the air, since they damage the ozone layer. CFCs should be recycled, either on-site or through an approved recycler.
R134:
Also known as Tetrafluoroethane. Freon, etc, from air conditioning, refrigerators, etc. Recovered Freon has a high value in today’s market and is recyclable. “Freon” is actually a trade name that describes a whole class of chemicals used in refrigeration.
Freon is highly regulated. It is illegal to vent or evaporate Freon or other CFCs to the air, since they damage the ozone layer. CFCs should be recycled, either on-site or through an approved recycler.
Other Freon:
Any other Freon. Recovered Freon has a high value in today’s market and is recyclable. “Freon” is actually a trade name that describes a whole class of chemicals used in refrigeration.
Freon is highly regulated. It is illegal to vent or evaporate Freon or other CFCs to the air, since they damage the ozone layer. CFCs should be recycled, either on-site or through an approved recycler.
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RECHARGEABLE BATTERIESBatteries other than car batteries. Commonly used in portable telephones, computers, power tools, shavers, electric toothbrushes, radios, video tape recorders and other consumer products. Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb) batteries can all be recycled. Please note which type you have for recycle.
Computer Batteries
Recycle those potentially dangerous computer batteries. It may be dead, but certain components and chemicals which can harm the environment can be reused for batteries or other purposes. If possible, please note which type you are recycling.
Shavers/electric toothbrush batteries
Batteries other than car batteries. Commonly used in shavers, electric toothbrushes, and other consumer products. Please note which type you have for recycle.
Misc electronic batteries
Batteries other than car batteries. Commonly used in portable telephones, computers, power tools, radios, video tape recorders and other consumer products. Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb) batteries can all be recycled. Please note which type you have for recycle.
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CELL PHONESMost cell phones are just tossed in the trash. In fact cell phones, working or not, can be reused for parts or even cleaned and picked up by charities who give them to the needy. These are some of the most sought after recyclables, but if they don’t recycle here, many popular office supply stores will take them.
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AUTOMOTIVE FLUIDS
Motor Oil
After you change your oil, typically pour your used oil into a plastic milk jug and clearly mark it “used motor oil.” Improper disposal is against the law. But disposed of correctly can be great for the environment and for the community overall. Used oil can be re-refined into base stock for lubricating oil among other things. Make sure whoever is picking this up is dedicated to disposing of properly.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
After you change your transmission fluid, typically pour it into a plastic milk jug and clearly mark it “used transmission fluid.” Improper disposal is against the law. But disposed of correctly can be great for the environment and for the community overall. Used oil can be re-refined into base stock for lubricating oil among other things. Make sure whoever is picking this up is dedicated to disposing of properly.
Misc Automotive Fluids
Radiator fluids, brake fluid, transmission fluids, carburetor cleaner, engine degreaser, gasoline, diesel fuel. Never poor these down any drains. Let the recyclers take this away. Please note exactly what you are recycling.
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TIRESUsually this is done for you by your tire shop. But, if you’re a do-it-yourself type, or happen to have a stack of old tires. Post them here for pick up. Make sure whoever is picking these up is dedicated to disposing of them properly.
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CAR BATTERIESDon’t toss your car’s old battery into a bin with your household recyclables and leave it on the curb. An automotive battery, also referred to as a lead-acid battery, contains about 21 pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic and one gallon of sulfuric acid. These items can be toxic if handled improperly. Let the battery recyclers take care of it. Many auto part retailers and repair shops are among those who will handle these for you.
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COMPUTER PRINTERSComputer Printers, Complete
Think before you put that computer equipment in storage! Try to donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete (the EPA estimates that 75% of computers sit in storage for several years before finally getting thrown away)!
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). If your printers don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
Toner Cartridges
Toner cartridges can be refilled, but only a certain number of times. After this they can be recycled and refurbished by qualified people. Many charities who also deal with cell phones, etc also rebuild these for those in need. These are some of the most sought after recyclables, but if they don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
Interesting facts about toner cartridges:
•More than 3 quarts of oil are used to produce each laser cartridge.
•The plastic used in each printer cartridge takes more than 10 centuries (that’s 1000 years!) to decompose.
•25 million printer cartridges go to land fills each month.
•Toner cartridge remanufacturing saves over 38,000 tons of plastic and metal from landfills.
•Stacking 125 laser toner cartridges end-to-end equals the height of the Statue of Liberty.
Computer Printer Parts
Think before you put that printer equipment in storage! Try to donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete (the EPA estimates that 75% of computers sit in storage for several years before finally getting thrown away)!
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in other printers or electronics. If your printer parts don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
Please list ink-jet or toner cartridges under their proper categories.
Ink Cartridges
Don’t toss out that cartridge from your ink jet printer! Recycle it. There are plenty of people who are qualified to refill them and reuse them. Many of these are charities that will give them to the needy. These are some of the most sought after recyclables.
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COMPUTER EQUIPMENTMonitors
Think before you put that monitor in storage! Try to donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete (the EPA estimates that 75% of computers sit in storage for several years before finally getting thrown away)! Many monitors are still in good working condition and will be gladly used by those with older systems, or the needy.
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in other monitors or electronics. If your monitors don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
Monitor Parts
Don’t just throw away those monitor parts! Recycle them. Many places are qualified to reuse them in rebuilt, reconditioned monitors. Please note specifically what parts you have.
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in other monitors or electronics. If your monitor parts don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
Misc Computer Equipment
Dont’ throw away that mouse or keyboard, etc. They can surely be reused or repaired.
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in, or paired up to be used with other electronics. If your miscellaneous computer equipment doesn’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
CPU Parts
Don’t throw out your computer parts, memory, motherboards, hard drives, etc. These can easily be reused, or rebuilt. They even contain small parts that are sought after by professionals and charities that recondition or build bargain machines. There are hundreds or thousands of parts that, although outdated, can still be used. In fact, just the base materials can be extracted for use in new machines.
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in other printers or electronics. If your parts don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
CPU’s Complete
You might feel your old tired computer has had it’s days, but professionals or charities can take your old computer and either update it or recondition it for bargain machines to charity donations. There are hundreds or thousands of parts that, although outdated, can still be used. In fact, just the base materials can be extracted for use in new machines.
Electronics contain lead and other chemicals, so they should not be landfilled (and some juristictions are working on banning such material from landfills). Many parts can be rebuilt or reused in other printers or electronics. If they don’t recycle here, many popular office stores might take them.
(Note that if you are parting with an entire system, please inidicate this, or list your other items, like your monitor or keyboard, in other categories, like Monitors, or Misc Computer Equipment, respectively.)
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COMPOSTLawn & Garden Material / Food Stuffs
Food and yard scraps placed in a special bin are converted into valuable garden soil in a matter of weeks, but please only if you know how to compost. Lots of things you’d otherwise throw away can be composted, including wine bottle corks, cooking oils, certain types of foam packing peanuts, used paper towels, dryer lint, etc. If it is natural, you can probably compost it without trouble!
Compostable Utensils/Containers
Also known as biodegradable packaging. It looks and feels much like styrofoam or even plastic, but is usually made from cornstarch and breaks down. Many people deal with them, and some will actually include them in their compost piles, and will sometimes compost in just 45-60 days!
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HOUSEHOLD TOXINSItems such as poisons, paints, oil, solvents, automotive fluids, cleaners, herbicides and many others must not be dumped into the regular garbage.
poisons
Includes insecticides, and other rodent control, like rat poisons or moth balls. Corrosive, flammable, volatile or caustic materials (used for cleaning or disinfecting.) Anything that is marked as toxic must not be mixed with regular trash, and can be recycled. Please note what items you are recycling.
Note: Empty pesticide containers should be disposed of in the garbage. Do not recycle the container.
paints
Anything from spray paints to oil or water based interior or exterior house paints. It’s imperative that these are not included with regular trash, as they can be serious contaminants to the environment. Please note exactly what you are recycling.
Note: Empty or dried out paint cans (both latex and oil-based paint): An empty container is any container that contains less than 3% of its original contents. You can throw these in the garbage with the lids off. Removing the lid lets the garbage collector know that the can(s) are empty. Liquids are not allowed in the trash.
oils
Common household lubricants and penetrants (i.e. WD-40) must be disposed of properly. Please note exactly what you are recycling.
solvents
From paint stripper and thinner to nail polish remover, household solvents are all too common throughout every home. A solvent is a substance that dissolves another substance forming a solution. Solvents that contain carbon are known as organic solvents and can contain chemicals considered hazardous — they can be flammable and toxic. Some household maintenance and cleaning products contain organic solvents such as petroleum distillates. Please note exactly what you are recycling.
cleaners
All-purpose cleaners, Ammonia, Antibacterial products and disinfectants, Chlorine bleach, Drain opener, Furniture polish, Metal cleaners, Oven cleaner, Rust remover, Spot and stain remover, Toilet bowl cleaner. Please note specifically what you have to recycle.
herbicides
Garden fungicides, Slug poison, Weed killers, weed and feed products, Wood preservatives. Please note exactly what you are recycling.
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COOKING MATERIALSvegetable oil & animal fats
Used cooking oils. These can be filtered, reused and made into diesel fuel or even cosmetic products. Try to keep as much water out of the oil as possible. If there is a significant amount of water (i.e., from cleaning of the fryer), please note this. Also, if possible, it helps if you note the kind of cooking oil (i.e. soybean, canola, animal fat, hydrogenated, etc.)