If you’re thinking, “I know how to recycle,” I hope you do, and I hope you’re right. Yet, what I can say from what I’ve seen is that people don’t know how to recycle properly. Most people need tips on how to recycle properly, including some who studied environmental science with me at school. So, if they can’t properly recycle, then it makes perfect sense that others can’t either.
How to Recycle For Beginners
I’ll see my friends throw their drink cups full of ice, takeout containers with food remains, crumpled-up aluminum foil, and even a full apple (you know who you are) into the recycling bin… and none of those things are recyclable. It’s better to not recycle at all than to recycle incorrectly, and I’ll explain this in a bit. After this post, you’ll be able to recycle like a Planet Pro.
The tricky thing about recycling that most people do know is that a percentage of recycling ends up in landfills. Recycling is a pretty delicate practice, if something non-recyclable winds up in the recycling the whole bin and all of the proper recycling efforts are soiled. This issue makes it further pressing that people know how to recycle; it’s better to throw your non-recyclable item in the trash instead of sending a whole bin to the landfill. There are a lot of efforts to get more recycling back into the loop, Ridwell is an amazing company that picks up difficult recyclables at your door! See if your neighborhood qualifies here.
So, even though recycling may now sound super pointless and complicated, how can we make it easy and doable?! Let’s dive into some golden recycling rules and gain a better understanding of how recycling functions in our society.
8 Easy Recycling Tips:
Rule #1
Anything wet is not recyclable.
This might sound shocking, but wet stuff compromises things like paper, cardboard, and other soft items so if you don’t have an opportunity to dry something off then throw it in the landfill. This includes cups of ice, bottles with drinks left in them, food containers with rubbish left, etc. Use your best judgment.
Rule #2
Many containers show a recycling icon with a number in it.
The number indicates which category of material it is, but if there isn’t a slash through the recycling icon, then it’s recyclable!
Rule #3
Google it!
This is more of a tip than a rule. If you aren’t sure if something is recyclable and you have 30 seconds, pull out your phone and do a quick search. Your answer will be there and you can rest assured you did the right thing and will maybe remember it for next time. For example, if you just ate some fried rice out of a take-out container, google whether the container is recyclable and you’ll have your answer in seconds without having to wonder.
Rule #4
Never recycle food.
If there isn’t a compost bin nearby, which there hardly ever is, and that is pretty heartbreaking for 2024, then your food has to go in the trash. Very sad. Consider adding a compost to your home if you haven’t already!
Rule #5
Don’t bag your recycling.
You cannot bag up your recycling like you do your garbage. Recycled items must be separated into the bin; otherwise, they cannot be recycled.
Rule #6
If it fits in your fist, ditch it.
Wrappers, plastic bags, or anything that you can crumble up into your fist is made from nonrecyclable materials and thus is nonrecyclable.
Rule #7
When glass breaks, it isn’t recyclable.
This also means proceed with caution when you’re recycling glass.
Rule #8
Read the rules on the recycling bin.
Some recycling bins require sorting, and they usually are pretty explicit about what they allow in their bin like glass or paper only, so follow the rules so your items don’t ruin it for the rest! Sometimes those recycling icons with different numbers will come into play here.
There are so many resources out there dedicated to helping people understand how to recycle, and I really encourage you to use them if you are ever doubting yourself when it’s game time.
Hey, we’re now a step closer to making the world a better place. Cool, eh?
Drop a recycling tip I didn’t cover in the comments!
