Common Mistakes You Do When You Recycle

Recycling is the best thing you can do for the planet and for your city. It is all about keeping items out of the landfill and reusing it for something else. Brilliant! However, there are some mistakes we tend to forget with recycling let’s take a moment to make sure we avoid these common problems.

Think about your curbside like an exclusive party. Not everyone is allowed to pass the red velvet rope, there are guidelines put into place city by city and county by county that tells you their guidelines for pick up.

Here is what can go on most curbsides:

Paper and Cardboard

Anything paper and cardboard can be recycled as long as there is no food residue or if it is a waxy paper. Yes, I am talking about those pizza boxes and cereal boxes with the plastic inserts inside. We get paper for just about anything. To make sure you have less try to get your information emailed to you. Scan what you do get and shread any confidential papers.

Plastic

Did you know that at the bottom of most plastic containers there is a number? This number is usually from one to seven which means it is acceptable for recycling. However, plastics like utensils are not acceptable due to the type of plastic it is. To keep from using too many plastic containers aim to use reusable containers and bottles.

Related: Recycled Plastic Bag Decor Pillow

Aluminum & Glass

Who doesn’t have a can or glass bottles these days? For more space, you can crush your aluminum cans however if a glass bottle breaks it is unacceptable for recycling. I used to collect as many bottles and cans that it filled our entire laundry room, then once we couldn’t get inside anymore we would go down and get money for it. It was my one job when I was a child that I loved. Now, I try to not use any cans as much as possible. Funny how things change.

Rinse, Rinse and Rinse!

Did you know that your taxes go up more because people and that means your neighbours don’t rinse the cans and containers before placing it into the recycling can? Why? Because it takes time from someone else who now has to clean it for it. Cleaning out nasty containers that have been there for a while doesn’t sound like fun. Take a moment and rinse. It makes a whole different and gets rid of nosey pests.

Final Thoughts

As much as recycling is fantastic, you still have a lot to do to make sure it is taken care of properly. Aim to be one of those people who makes an effort and does recycling right by putting the correct items in the recycling bags and rinsing out the containers first. It takes a team to recycle correctly but it all starts with you. Happy recycling!

Related: What You Need to Start a Zero Waste Lunch