This fridge-worthy guide will make doing the right thing easier.
You Already Recycle These, But…
- PAPER
- PLASTIC
Most programs take it all, from cardboard to news-print, office paper to envelopes and junk mail.
But… leave out anything that’s food-stained, like pizza boxes, because oils can contaminate an entire load. Also out: brightly colored, dye-saturated paper, which is too difficult to bleach back to a usable form (glossy magazines can be sold at junk shops but fetch a lower price than non-glossy paper), and books (you’re better off donating to a local library, school, or book drive).
The basic rule of thumb: If it’s a bottle whose neck is smaller than the body (beverages, cleaning products, shampoo, and some food jars) and has a 1 to 2 symbol on the bottom, it can generally be recycled.
But… remove the caps first — they’re made of a different type of plastic. Items such as yogurt, margarine, deli tubs, and plastic cutlery (usually number 5 plastic) usually aren’t recycled, so consider washing and reusing them instead.