EMA’s Guide to Home Recycling

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When U.S. recycling levels reach 75%, the environmental equivalent would be removing 55 million cars from U.S. roads each year, according to one study. So, let’s get this recycling show on the road! Here are some simple tips for recycling from home.

General tips

Use these tips across your household to maximize your recycling, but always be sure to double check with your local recycling plant as rules vary from place to place!

  • Reduce, reuse, then recycle! Recycling isn’t perfect, but it sure makes a difference. 

  • Don’t recycle plastics smaller than a credit card.

  • Rinse all of your recyclables thoroughly to prevent contamination.

  • Make sure your recyclables are dry.

  • Do not recycle containers that hold bleach, oil, grease, hazardous material, household cleaners, or medical waste. 

  • Local knowledge is key: A quick Google search of “[Insert Your City Here] Recycling Guidelines” will reveal exactly what can and can’t be recycled in your community. 

  • Double check the numbers labeled on your plastic recyclables: only 1&2 plastics are municipally recyclable. 

  • Keep easily-tangled items such as hoses or rope out of the recycling bin, as they can get caught in facilities’ equipment.

  • Black plastic cannot be recycled- scanners at recycling facilities cannot identify it.

  • Buy recycled products to keep the system’s momentum moving.


Kitchen 

  • Don’t recycle soft plastic bags; they can damage the recycling stream.

  • Junk mail, magazines and newspapers can all be recycled 

  •  If you can’t reuse glass bottles, make sure they end up in the recycling bin. Glass is one of the most collected recyclable items. 

  • Steel and aluminum cans are very recyclable! 

  • Paper food boxes are accepted at most recycling facilities. From cereal boxes to the grease-free lid of your pizza box, make sure these items end up in recycling. 

  • As long as it is clean, you can curl up aluminum foil into a ball and toss it into the bin. 

  • The plastic liners inside cereal boxes are often made of plastic #2, which means you can recycle in your bin. 

  • Upgrading to a new kitchen appliance? Try selling your old appliances online. Many people will even purchase repairable items since they’re more affordable than new. 

  • Many curbside recycling programs will accept your old pots, pans, and other cookware. Call your facility to double-check.

  • If you use a coffee machine with single-use pods, recycle them by sending them back to the coffee company, or buy a reusable coffee pod and customize your coffee.

Bathroom 

  • Add a recycling bin to your bathroom, most of your bathroom items are recyclable, too!

  • Many shower products come in recycled packaging or have no packaging at all, reach for those instead!

  • You probably don’t have to remove the label off of the packaging you recycle. 

  • A majority of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles are recyclable.

  • Empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls can be recycled since they are made of cardboard. 

  • If you use dry shampoos or hairspray, the cans are usually recyclable,

  • Buy your products locally or from companies that offer you to bring back the packaging back in return for free goodies!

  • Buy a recyclable toothbrush, or better yet, a toothbrush with replaceable, recyclable heads.

Bedroom 

  • Donate your old books to a local library, community center, or charity.

  • Old pillows make for great pet beds. 

  • Vintage and thrift stores are fantastic: buying and selling secondhand is an affordable and accessible form of recycling!

  • Blankets, duvets, and quilts can be recycled through H&M’s textile recycling program.

  • Recycle your old electronics at a certified recycler near you to limit e-waste. Some companies, such as Apple, offer discounts when you recycle old products. 

  • Baby items can often be resold or donated, but if you prefer to recycle them, Terracycle and Gerber have a program to do it for you.  

  • If you’re getting tired of your wardrobe, try hosting a clothing swap with your friends!

  • Batteries and lightbulbs must be taken to certified recycling (check your local library or hardware store).

  • You can recycle your old mattress by donating it or reaching out to your local bulk recycler. Further, some mattress companies will pick up your old mattress when delivering a new one. 

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