Increasing materials recycling in the US to 60% could save the equivalent of 315 million barrels of oil per year. Recycling is a great way individuals can make a difference, both locally and globally.

Paper and Cardboard

Newspapers

Newspapers should be saved in its own bin, as this material goes directly back into newsprint recycling. Recycling a four-foot stack of newspapers saves the equivalent of one 40-foot fir tree.

Other Paper

Magazines, glossy printed flyers or newspaper inserts, phone books, envelopes, computer paper, old letters, and paper packaging can be saved together in one bin. Staples in paper are acceptable, but remove rubber bands or plastic wrap. Do not include the following in your paper recycling: carbon paper, stickers, cardboard, laminated paper, laminated cardboard.

Plastic-Lined Paper Drink Cartons

Plastic-lined paper drink Cartons are recyclable. Most recycling centers now accept these items; ask locally. Discard fast food wrappers made from plastic, dirty or food-stained paper tissues or napkins.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard are highly valued recyclable. Most curb side collectors ask you to bale the cardboard together and tie it with string. Check to see if there are size and weight limits to how much you are allowed to bale together. The most important thing to remember is to keep it dry. Plastic or waxy coated, and wet or greasy cardboard, such as pizza boxes, cannot be recycled because it clogs sorting machines.

Plastic

Plastic does not break down in landfills, and since it can be recycled to make many diverse products, effort should be made to recycle all plastic waste. To make best use of plastics, consumers should choose the types of plastics that lend themselves most to reuse and recycling options. To learn about the recycling options for different types of plastic, read our article Plastics by the Numbers.

Recycling centers vary in the types of plastic they accept. Check with your local recycling center, and take care to buy plastic goods that are recyclable.

Glass

Glass is recycled according to color: clear, green and brown. Recycling centers prefer it when glass is separated this way. Collectively, these types of glass are referred to as “container” glass, and widely accepted for recycling. Paper labels can be left on the glass.

Store lightbulbs, sheet glass, mirrors and pyrex separately from bottles, since they have a different composition and melting points, and are not accepted by many recycling centers.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) may be recycled at your local IKEA store.

Aluminum, Steel and Copper

Food Cans

Food cans should be rinsed and have lids and labels removed. It helps if they are flattened, although many new cans are difficult to flatten; they should still be recycled.

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are very valuable as recyclable items. Many recycling centers request they be not crushed flat. Check locally. Aluminum foil and foil packaging are also important to recycle; they are reprocessed into aluminum mechanical components, such as engine parts.

Paint Cans and Aerosol Cans

Paint cans and aerosol cans are recyclable, but are considered hazardous waste and need to be kept separate from other metals. It is important to leave labels on these cans, as recyclers need to know the former contents. Try to return the lids along with empty paint cans.

Copper

Copper is one of the most recycled and recyclable of metals. In fact, copper is 100 percent recyclable, as are all its alloys, such as bronze and brass. The recycling of copper requires only 15% of the total energy otherwise consumed in mining, milling, smelting and refining.

Electronic Goods

Computers, Printers and Hardware

The simplest solution to recycling your old computer is to pass it on. Ask at a local school or put a notice on a community bulletin board offering your computer free for the taking. Many people without a computer will still find use with the word processor and basic programs.

In the US, working computers can be donated to the National Cristina Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides computers to people with disabilities, students at risk, and economically disadvantaged persons. For a small fee, you can have old computer equipment picked up for recycling by HP Recycle. ‘Coupon’ points are available from HP towards future purchases.

HP and other printer manufacturers now also accept used printer cartridges. Many include pre-paid postage and packaging for return shipping when new cartridges are purchased.

Cell Phones

• EcoATM is an automated kiosk located across the US that offers money for used cell phones.
• ECO CELL partners with non-profit associations to gather, refurbish, and resell old and broke cell phones into developing markets seeking cell phone technology.
• Call2Recycle offers no-cost recycling services for cell phones and batteries gathered in the US and Canada.
• Recyclemycell and Go Resell offer cell phone recycling services in Canada.

You can also return the packaging from electronic devices, including cell phones, to some retailers such as London Drugs (if purchased there) and Best Buy, which collects used electronics purchased anywhere at on-site kiosks located in US stores.

Home Recycling Tips

Visit your local recycling center and find out what materials they accept for recycling. Then set up your bins accordingly. To find the recycling center nearest you, call: 1 800-CLEANUP

Put Storage Bins in Place

The key to a successful home recycling program is the storage bin setup. Once you learn which materials your local recycling center accepts, set up a corresponding storage bin system. The garage is a good place to locate the bins; if using an open carport, the lids will need to be covered to secure the contents from pests and wind. Once your system is set up, recycling is easy!

Close the Loop: Buy Recycled!

The value of recyclables is driven by market demand. As consumers, we must choose products with recycled content and packaged in recycled materials, so that the materials we recycle are put to use, and markets are sustained.

These products can typically be made with recycled content:

Packaging

Boxes for foods such as cereal, crackers and cake mix. Bottles containing liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and household cleaners.