3. Curbside Recycling

Recycling is a great way to help reduce waste, carbon emissions and the need for mining new materials. Curbside recycling programs have made it very simple to recycle from the comfort of your own home. However it’s unfortunate that many will recycle improperly.

That’s why it’s important to understand what can go in your curbside recycling bin, what can’t, and how to properly recycle items to be picked up by your curbside recycling service. We break it down for you, including what to keep in your bin, what to toss out and how to make sure all your items will be accepted in your own curbside container.

Many household items can be recycled in your curbside bin. Most plastic bottles and containers, glass bottles and jars, paper and cans are easily recycled with the right preparation. Keep in mind, not all curbside recycling services are equal. It’s a possibility that your curbside collection service won’t accept an item that is recyclable elsewhere.

Using Curbside Recycling Containers

In general, most curbside recycling programs with curbside pickup service can accept the same things. Many plastic, glass, paper and metal items can easily be recycled using your curbside bin. But there also are some questions about how to properly clean items and whether to bag them first. Also, some things can be recycled – like furniture, appliances, and electronics – but can’t be tossed out in your curbside bin.

It’s pretty frustrating to think that after all your efforts to research what can you recycle at home, some things might get thrown in a landfill anyway. This is especially frustrating when you could have prevented it from happening in the first place.

What can’t be recycled in your curbside bin include:

  • Non-recyclable items
  • Recycling items placed inside plastic bags
  • Food residue (a.k.a. recycling contamination)

For many years, things like plastic lids and pizza boxes couldn’t be recycled. But recently, a lot of recycling programs have started accepting these previously “unrecyclable” items. Since this has been instated so recently, it’s important to double-check with your recycling service before placing these items in your curbside bin on collection day.