{"id":7199,"date":"2023-03-18T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-03-18T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/?p=7199"},"modified":"2023-03-20T16:39:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T21:39:53","slug":"7-tips-and-tricks-to-simplify-recycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/es\/blog\/7-tips-and-tricks-to-simplify-recycling\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips and Tricks to Simplify Recycling"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Recycling is a way we can all do our part to help keep the earth clean! It helps to conserve natural resources and energy, reduces landfill waste, cuts climate-changing carbon emissions and protects wildlife. But have you ever been confused about what can actually go in the bin? Cut through the confusion and click the link to get our 7 Tips & Tricks To Simplify Recycling!<\/p>\n
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Byline: BTB Editor<\/p>\n

October 9, 2019 \/ Time to read: 5 min<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By Heather LaCorte, founding editor of Better Living<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying that recycling is an earth-friendly habit that can help keep our environment clean, conserve natural resources, and cut down on pollution while benefiting the economy. And it\u2019s important we all do our part. But, are you recycling the right way?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever been confused about what goes in the recycle bin, you\u2019re not alone. About 30% of what gets put in our recycling containers doesn\u2019t belong there. In fact, these \u201cextras\u201d we\u2019re throwing away in hopes they get recycled, can taint an entire truckload of recyclables sending them to the landfill. Kind of defeats the purpose, right? If you want to finally cut through the confusion surrounding recycling keep reading for these simple recycling do\u2019s, don\u2019ts, tips, and tricks!<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be a \u201cWish-cycler\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whenever I clean out a closet, I usually find at least a few things I want to get rid of. But do you ever get that icky feeling putting something that looks perfectly good in the trash? Sure, you haven\u2019t used it in 12 years, but does it really belong in the landfill? Don\u2019t think of throwing it in the recycling bin to ease your guilt. The recycling gods won\u2019t descend and turn your old bowling ball into something recyclable. It\u2019s not going to happen. And while done with the best intentions this bad recycling habit is really counterproductive delaying sorting at the recycling facilities and clogging machinery. Things like garden hoses, old tangled strings of Christmas lights and that boombox you got back in high-school don\u2019t belong in the recycling bin. If they\u2019re not in bad shape, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store so they can be reused.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Don\u2019t Recycle Anything Smaller Than a Credit Card<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the quest to be a recycling guru you may be tempted to recycle every little thing you can. But small pieces like bottle caps, shredded or tiny pieces of paper, and can tabs can get stuck in the recycling processing machines. When in doubt do the credit card test. If it\u2019s bigger than a credit card, it can be thrown in the recycling bin. If it\u2019s smaller, toss it in the trash.<\/p>\n

\"Don't
\n3.\u00a0 Keep Things Loose! Don\u2019t Ever Bag Recyclables<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bagging recyclables makes things difficult at the sorting facility especially if the bags (like plastic) aren\u2019t recyclable themselves. Keep recyclables loose unless instructed otherwise by your local recycling company. The only exception to this is shredded paper, which can be contained within a paper bag.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Empty, Clean and Dry! Let That Be Your Recycling Motto<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my household, food and drink containers account for the majority of what ends up in the recycle bin. But did you know that putting just one food covered container in the recycle bin can contaminate an entire truckload of recyclables? So don\u2019t toss those dirty bottles of leftover ketchup, oil, or sticky peanut butter jars into the recycling bin. Ask yourself if it\u2019s empty, clean and dry. And when in doubt, throw it out.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Here\u2019s What You Can and Can\u2019t Recycle<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2714 Paper!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The paper should never be wet, sticky or mixed with other types of materials. Examples would be sticky notes, bubble wrap mailers, or envelopes with a clear plastic window. Used coffee cups are also a no-no. Newspapers, mail and magazines, office paper, and notebook paper get the recycle bin green light.<\/p>\n

\u2714 Cardboard!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clean moving, shipping and food boxes (cereal, crackers, cookies, etc.), as well as juice and milk containers, are recyclable as long as they\u2019re rinsed out. The non-greasy side of a pizza box is okay too. Just tear off the dirty side, throw it away and put the clean side in the recycle bin.<\/p>\n

\"Plastic
\n\u2714 Plastic Bottles and Jugs!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Always empty, clean and dry! No food residue of any kind will do. With plastic try the \u201cpoke test.\u201d If you can press your finger through the plastic it shouldn\u2019t go in the recycling bin. That includes sandwich bags, plastic wrap, and plastic grocery bags. Grocery store bags can usually be brought back to the store for recycling.<\/p>\n

\u2714 Aluminum Soda Cans, Tin Cans and Aluminum Foil (Unspoiled)!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soda cans, as well as soup, tuna, and bean cans, are recyclable. Again- just make sure they\u2019re empty, clean and dry! Give them a rinse and tip them over to drain before tossing in the recycle bin. Clean aluminum foil that isn\u2019t contaminated with food is also acceptable. Never include aluminum foil with food stuck to it, bottle caps, or soda can tabs (on their own) or razor blades.<\/p>\n

\"Glass
\nGlass? It Depends\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

While glass is a recyclable material, check with your local municipality to see if it accepts glass. Never put broken glass in the recycling bin. Whether it\u2019s broken window glass or a broken beer bottle, just don\u2019t do it. It can clog machinery and be dangerous for workers handling the recyclables.<\/p>\n

\u2716 No Batteries And Electronics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn more about proper\u00a0disposal of batteries<\/a>\u00a0and how to\u00a0recycle electronics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2716 No Food or food contaminated items of any kind<\/p>\n

\u2716 No Foam<\/p>\n

\u2716 No single-use utensils, paper plates, napkins, or paper towels<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Plastic
\n\u2716 No plastic sandwich bags, plastic wrap, or plastic grocery bags<\/p>\n

\u2716 No clothing or shoes<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 Give Your Recycling Bin the Sniff Test<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you open the lid of your recycling bin and it makes you wrinkle your nose, it\u2019s time to give it a rinse. Foul odors are usually from throwing food contaminated items in your bin, the remnants of which can continue to contaminate your recyclables. For sticky residues, you may need to give it a good scrub with dish detergent. Always turn it over to thoroughly drip dry before filling it with recyclables.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0 Reduce, Reuse and Then Recycle! Learn Ways to Reduce Waste\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying that recycling is an amazing thing. But it\u2019s also important for all of us to find ways to reduce the waste we\u2019re creating in the first place. Small changes can make a big difference over time reducing our individual footprint on the environment.<\/p>\n

Here are a few easy changes you can make to reduce the amount of waste in your home:<\/p>\n