Ultimate guide to recycling

The nature of recycling

Sometimes we focus so much on one or more categories of recycling or think we can recycle everything on our planet, we forget that not all items are recyclable. Just as important as knowing which specific items are recyclable and to which category they belong, knowing those items that are almost always recyclable and those which are not should get equal attention.

A useful recycling guide should cover these generalities as well as specific items and remedies. For example, knowing what different types of plastic you're dealing with often dictates the method and form of recycling required to transform the product into another useful item. But, knowing that most plastics are recyclable, or a specific type does not fit any known recycling method is also important.

While it's tempting to want to include every identified substance into a recycling program, some items simply do not qualify. You also don't want to overlook any items that you may not realize are recyclable. Looking at those items that almost always are recyclable and those that are not should help you become an efficient recycler.

Items that are almost always recyclable

Here is a list of items that, in most incarnations, are almost always recyclable:

Paperboard

Sound like a combination of paper and cardboard? It is. Items like toilet paper cores, and tissue, soap, and medicine boxes are in this group of paperboard items and are almost always recyclable.

Liquid soap and powdered soap bottles and boxes

Even bleach bottles, fabric softener boxes, and most other laundry room packaging are good recycling candidates.

Catalogs, magazines, and newspapers

These are all recyclable regardless of the number of three and four color page content. Some of the recycling processes may differ based on the type of paper used, but few examples of printed material are excluded.

Most home office printed or paper material

Include the always present junk mail and outdated phone books in all of your recycling efforts. Obviously stationery, envelopes, and copy paper also fall into the always recyclable category.

Most beverage containers

Whether glass, aluminum, cardboard, or plastic, almost all beverage containers are recyclable. Don't forget to put the containers in the property recycling receptacles.

Most food containers

From the typical steel containers for soup to plastic milk jugs, almost all food containers, regardless of construction material, are usually recyclable. Also in this group: Egg cartons, cereal boxes, paper towel cores, and empty aerosol cans.

Make sure that the recycling black triangle with the code numbers (from 1 to 7) appear on all plastic containers. This tells recyclers the type of plastic they’re dealing with so they can use the appropriate recycling method.

Items that are almost always NOT recyclable:

Unfortunately, we cannot recycle everything on our planet. Some items simply do not lend themselves to effective recycle efforts – at least, not yet. Here is a partial list of those things that don't fit in any recycle bin.

• Animal waste.
• Carpet and most other flooring.
• Mirrors.
• Waxed and carbon paper. Even though it's paper, it doesn't work for recycling.
• Food waste. Use food waste in creating compost, but it is otherwise typically non-recyclable.
• Window glass. The composition of this glass makes it a poor candidate for recycling.
• Cat litter. It has already served its ultimate purpose.
• Toothpaste tubes and other toothpaste containers.
• Clothes and shoes. These can be donated for use by those in need, but seldom can be traditionally recycled.
• Disposable diapers. See cat litter above.
• Dirt, rocks, and cement. They are what they are and always will be.
• Cigarette butts. (See cat litter above.)
• Used sponges and rags. The various unpleasant or toxic substances that were the object of the attention of sponges and rags tend to permeate their fibers, eliminating efficient and safe recycling efforts.

This list covers most, but not all items that are currently non-recyclable. Considering the size of the universe of products in the world, this is a rather small list. Yet it reinforces the reality that we cannot yet recycle every natural or synthetic product on our globe.

You now have the basis for a recycling guide that covers most of the product categories that can and cannot be recycled. Incorporate this knowledge into your everyday recycling action plan.

You won't overlook many common items that can be recycled nor try to force those that can't into a category that doesn't exist.