| In some areas recycling is required. In others, it's | | | | for your area and include the word "recycling" and |
| all but impossible due to a lack of facilities. How do | | | | see if anything good comes up. |
| you figure out what you can and cannot easily | | | | In general, recycling companies prefer that glass |
| recycle in your area? | | | | and plastic be rinsed. You probably don't need to |
| The simplest solution is to check with the | | | | scrub things out, but a quick rinse isn't a bad idea. |
| company that handles garbage in your area. Many | | | | It also means your indoor recycle bin won't get |
| are also in charge of recycling too. If you're lucky | | | | dirty so quickly even if you don't line it with a bag. |
| they're already providing you with a bin for | | | | But don't just think of the everyday little things. |
| recyclables that you don't even need to sort | | | | You can recycle big things and things you don't |
| yourself. The information you need may even be | | | | often dispose of too. Just be picky about how |
| on the company website. | | | | you go about it. |
| Many are pretty picky. It's not too uncommon for | | | | Some electronics can be recycled. Be picky, as |
| plastics recycling to be limited to #1 and #2 | | | | too many companies aren't all that honest about |
| plastics in bottle form only. Others will take pretty | | | | how they recycle electronics. Sometimes they're |
| much any kind of plastic. | | | | just shipped off to other countries, where the |
| Then there's paper recycling. It's generally not as | | | | recycling is done in a rather hazardous and |
| restrictive as it used to be, but you do still have | | | | polluting manner. Check the e-Stewards website |
| to be careful. Most won't want food stained | | | | for reputable electronics recycling. You may even |
| paper, paper towels or paper napkins. But it's | | | | be able to mail your electronics in. |
| often not a problem to include glossy paper, | | | | For cell phones that still work, consider donating it |
| envelopes with plastic windows or staples in with | | | | instead. There are companies that will send old cell |
| the paper. | | | | phones to people in developing countries or |
| Glass recycling can be a bit interesting. Glass jars | | | | domestic violence victims. |
| are fine. Most companies ask that you not put in | | | | Compact fluorescent bulbs don't belong in the |
| broken glass of any kind. They also generally don't | | | | trash when they burn out. They have mercury |
| take light bulbs, glass from dishes, mirrors or | | | | and really aren't good for the landfill. But IKEA, |
| windows. | | | | Home Depot and some other stores may take |
| If you have a local recycling company that picks | | | | them in. Check with your nearest location. |
| up at your house but is a bit pickier than you'd | | | | Don't forget the reuse option, of course. Anything |
| like, it can pay to check out options for places | | | | that can be reasonably reused consider offering |
| you can bring your recyclables. Sometimes they'll | | | | up on Freecycle or donating to a local charity. |
| be within a reasonable driving distance. Just search | | | | That's even better than recycling! |