How to Recycle

Co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg and Eric McClure

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

Recycling is one of the easiest and most productive ways that you can help make the planet a better place. While it may feel overwhelming at first, recycling is easy, and it’s not hard to make it a part of your normal routine. Keep in mind, if you’re not sure if something is recyclable or not, you can always contact your local government to ask if you’re allowed to toss something in your recycling bin. Alternatively, you can always reach out to a local recycling facility directly to see if you can drop something off on your own.

1

Paper

Recycling paper products is a great way to preserve resources. The vast majority of paper products are recyclable, so don’t throw out your newspapers and old notebooks! If you’re looking to take your carbon footprint even lower, you can even purchase goods made entirely with recycled paper. You can recycle everything from printer paper to egg cartons and lawn signs.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- Most paper products can be recycled. Magazines, colored paper, newspaper, and phone books can all be recycled.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} Most recycling plants can even take stapled paper and spiral notebooks, and sticky notes.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- If you have gift wrap that has a shiny, laminated texture, it probably can’t be recycled. You likely won’t be able to recycle anything that held liquid, paper towels, or paper that has been coated in plastic.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Refrigerated/frozen food boxes are generally NOT recyclable due to the way they're made with the exception of "aseptic cartons" like milk and juice cartons.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  State of Oregon
  Official website for the State of Oregon
  Go to source}
- If you’re recycling cardboard boxes or paper bags, flatten and stack them to make them easier to process.
- Shredded paper or paper that has been exposed to liquids of any kind cannot be recycled. With that said, some municipalities may still take these products and separate what’s recyclable from what isn’t. You should check you’re your local government, though.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

2

Plastic

Check the symbol printed on plastics to see if they’re recyclable. The number inside of the triangle on plastic goods is the resin number, and it tells you what kind of plastic the material is made out of. Most municipalities will accept some of these plastics, while others are rarely recyclable.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- Plastics with a 1, 2, or 5 on them are almost always recyclable. So long as they aren’t contaminated, go ahead and throw them in the recycling bin.
- Number 3 plastic, which is PVC, and number 7 plastic, which is a miscellaneous category, are rarely recyclable. Check with your local government or recycling service to see if they’ll take these.
- Plastics with a 4, 6 on them are occasionally recyclable, but it really depends on where you live.
- A few plastic items seem like they’d be recyclable, but aren’t. Plastic bags, straws, disposable cups, and tissue boxes can’t be processed.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}

3

Glass

Glass can be recycled over and over again, so don’t trash it! Glass is one of the few materials that can basically be infinitely recycled. The major barrier here is that people tend to throw out bottles and glasses without rinsing them out first, which leads to many issues with contamination.^{[9]
X
Research source} You don’t need to scrub every single item with soap, but rinsing out any glasses will ensure that they get recycled.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- In some states, you can make money by turning your glasses into a collection center.
- The one exception here is broken glass. It poses a hazard to sanitation workers, and it’s extremely difficult to process. Throw out any broken glass.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- If the glass had any oil or hazardous residue on it, play it safe by throwing it out. You may end up contaminating other materials if you toss it in the recycling bin.

4

Metal

So long as it’s clean, you can recycle basically any metal. Aluminum foil, metal tools, and metal pots can all be recycled. Aerosol cans can be recycled as well, so long as you’ve emptied them out entirely by pressing the nozzle. If you’re getting rid of empty cans that used to store food, rinse them out under water before placing them in the bin.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Kellogg
Eco-friendly Living Expert
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
- If the metal is sharp or damaged in a way where someone may cut themselves, don’t put it in your recycling bin.
- The only metals that can’t be recycled are metals that contain mercury (like metal thermometers), and metals with cathodes ray tubes in them, which are found in old TVs and computers.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- Metals with some kind of electrical wiring, like a dryer or iPod, are usually not recyclable. These products can often be taken apart for scrap though, so check with your local recycling center or scrapyard.

5

Batteries

Most batteries are recyclable, but they typically must be separated. Many areas have computer or big box stores with bins for battery recycling. In some municipalities, you can set them out for curbside pickup so long as they’re in a separate container. If you’re recycling standard disposable batteries, put a strip of electrical tape on each of the leads or put them in a plastic bag to keep them from accidentally conducting electricity.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- You can find a recycling center or drop-off location for batteries in the United States by visiting http://www.call2recycle.org/. There are also mail-in services you can use to ship your batteries to a recycling center meant specifically for this.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}
- The process for recycling rechargeable batteries or car batteries is kind of complicated. For anything outside of those basic batteries that go in your remote, contact your local government or recycling plant to see where you can take them.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}

6

Electronics

Most areas have specific collection days for electronics. You may be able to put smaller electronics directly in the bin, but it’s worth calling your local government or recycling plant to get more info. Electronics are usually taken apart to retrieve the plastics or metals that can be recycled, so don’t assume that old phone or laptop needs to go in the trash!^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- You can often recycle TVs, computers, cameras, drones, musical equipment, printers, and speakers. Just make sure that you remove any batteries before setting them out.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  Go to source}
- You may need to arrange for large appliances to be picked up by a junk removal service.
- You can always donate old electronics. A lot of nonprofit organizations and schools will accept things like old computers.^{[19]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kathryn Kellogg
  Eco-friendly Living Expert
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
- If you’re getting rid of a computer or phone, be sure to wipe it of any personal information before you throw it out.^{[20]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  Go to source}

7

Printer cartridges

Drop your old cartridges off at a drop-off location for recycling. If an ink or toner cartridge is at the end of its life, call your local office supply store. The vast majority of office supply stores will accept old printer cartridges. Most printer manufacturers will recycle your cartridges if you mail them out as well.^{[21]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Kellogg
Eco-friendly Living Expert
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
- You can actually refill ink and toner cartridges a few times before you need to dispose of them, so do that to reduce waste if you can!
- Ink and toner cartridges aren’t exceptionally difficult to recycle, but most people just toss them out because they don’t know they can be processed!^{[22]
  X
  Research source}

8

Oil

Contact your local government or waste management company to dispose of oil. It can be recycled, but it’s requires a unique process. It’s really important that you don’t pour oil down the drain or in the gutter, though. Oils also contaminate basically everything they come in contact with, which can make incinerating rubbish and recycling other goods impossible, so keep spent oil separate and get rid of it responsibly.^{[23]
X
Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- Spent oil can also contaminate water supplies, since it’s so difficult to get it out of water.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  Go to source}

9

Hazardous waste

Fuels, acids, and chemicals can be recycled, but only at special sites. If you’ve got a spent container of paint thinner or weed killer, it can almost certainly be recycled. Unfortunately, this kind of stuff can’t go in your typical recycling bin.^{[25]
X
Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source} Contact your local government to find out how you can recycle these items. In some cases, you may need to drop them off at a recycling plant designed specifically for hazardous waste. Examples of these kind of products include:^{[26]
X
Research source}
- Cleaning products, like oven cleaner or rust remover, and home improvement goods, like solvents and paint.
- Anything containing mercury, like thermometers and fluorescent lights.
- Automotive materials, like fuel, antifreeze, and filters.
- Needles, syringes, and medicine.

10

Contaminated recyclables.

Keep your recyclables separated and clean to avoid contamination. If you toss a greasy pizza box in your unblemished container full of clean plastic bottles, you may make it impossible for those bottles to be recycled. If there is any food waste, oil residue, or paint on your item, just throw it out. When your items are collected, they may mix with other items and lead to further contamination at the plant.^{[27]
X
Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- Food, alcohol, wood, clothing, lighting, tires, concrete, and foam are the most common contaminants. These items can render your entire bin unrecyclable, so just throw them out.
- If you’re in doubt about whether something is clean enough to be recycled, throw it in the garbage just to play it safe. The risk is rarely worth it.

11

Unrecyclable goods

There are a handful of goods that seem recyclable, but aren’t. Tossing these usual suspects in your recycling bin can make things difficult for your local recycling plant, since they’ll need to be separated from the other goods in your bin. On top of that, you may end up contaminating your other items. Usual suspects include:^{[28]
X
Research source}
- Packing peanuts, Styrofoam, and plastic utensils.
- Ceramic cookware and insulated coffee cups.
- Bubble wrap, shower curtains, and liners.
- Laminated packaging, toys, and mirrors.

12

Check your local laws

Go online to find the recycling guidelines in your city and state. Every region has different rules when it comes to what they will and won’t take when it comes to recycling. Many cities and states also have unique rules when it comes to recycling specific items, like batteries or electronics. It’s even illegal to not recycle in certain areas, so look it up!^{[29]
X
Research source}
- If you can’t find any information online, feel free to call your local sanitation department to find out where you can find more information.

13

Get recycling containers

If your city doesn’t provide recycling containers, get one yourself. Whenever your recycling bin gets picked up, check the container to see if there’s any residue or waste. If there is, clean the container out with water. If any non-recyclable material gets on your otherwise-clean recyclables, the plant won’t be able to process your stuff!^{[30]
X
Research source}
- You aren’t always going to get it perfect. There are probably going to be times when you accidentally put something in the recycling bin that isn’t supposed to be there, so always check your bin after it gets picked up and don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake!

14

Sort your recyclables

Double-check to make sure sorting isn’t required where you live. Some recycling plants will sort your recyclables for you, but occasionally, local laws will require you to sort the materials yourself. Typically, you’ll need to keep paper and plastic separated, but the requirements are different everywhere. Make sure you check on this when you look up the local laws.^{[31]
X
Research source}
- Even if it isn’t required, do your best to keep similar items together to make things easier for the recycling facility. Stack cardboard on top of other cardboard, and keep your aluminum cans in the same portion of the bin.

Community Q&A

Question

How can a middle school student help with recycling?

Community Answer

Ask a teacher to set up a program where there are recycling boxes in all rooms. On certain days, have the students empty the boxes into the correct recycling bins. Consider setting up a competition for the different classes to see who recycles the most.
Question

How can I recycle at home?

Community Answer

You could use old jars as tooth brush holders and reuse plastic grocery bags for bathroom trash can liners.
Question

Can colored cans be recycled?

Community Answer

Yes as long as they are aluminum.