America Recycles Day is November 15th

America Recycles Day

Taking the garbage out used to be so easy. Everything went into one big container and you hauled it to the curb.

With the advent of recycling, everything changed. At first we dragged our newspapers, bottles and plastic to recycling centers. Curbside recycling made things a lot easier, but also brought up more questions. What do we do with batteries? What type of plastics can we toss in the bin? How do we dispose of outdated electronics.

Since November 15 is the official America Recycles Day, we thought it a good time to review some recycling Do's and Don'ts.

DO'S
1. DO review recycling requirements of your trash hauler, particularly what can be placed in the bin and which types of plastic they accept.
2. DO Ask your local recycling center or town dump if they accept recyclables not accepted by your trash hauler, particularly electronics and batteries.
3. DO remember paper products also include junk mail
4. DO rinse all cans and bottles.
5. DO keep boxes out of the weather, making them easier to process.
6. DO recycle clean cardboard, not greasy pizza boxes.
7. DO remove bottle and jar lids, unless made from a No. 1 or 2 plastic.
8. DO look for bins at stores that accept plastic bags, paper grocery bags and dry cleaning bags. (Learn more about plastic bags.)
9. DO use canvas bags or bags made from recycled materials when you shop.
10. DO remember to take your own bags when Christmas shopping.
11. DO put unrecyclable shredded paper in the yard waste bin, where it can be turned into compost.
12. DO return plastic pots to the nursery or gardening center from which you purchased them.

DON'TS
1. DON'T recycle Styrofoam, light bulbs, food-soiled paper, wax paper, shredded paper and ceramics.
2. DON'T dispose of such hazardous wastes as paint, motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries, pesticides and pool chemicals in your trash. Check with your local government for approved disposal methods.
3. DON'T recycle moldy newspapers.
4. DON'T attempt to recycle such treated glass as plates, drinking glasses, windows, etc. This glass is contaminated by special treatments.
5. DON'T keep dead batteries in battery compartments. Delaying the disposal of a dead battery can lead to leaks that are harmful to humans.
6. DON'T recycle all #1 and #2 plastics. Most recycling programs accept narrow-necked plastic bottles labeled with a #1 or #2 only. This includes many soda and water bottles, milk and juice jugs, and household cleaner bottles. Margarine tubs and other food containers, even those marked #1 and #2, can't be recycled in many communities.

Photo by Scott Ableman