5 Tips for Simplifying Recycling

5 Tips for Simplifying Recycling

5 Tips for Simplifying Recycling

Everyone knows that recycling is an environmentally-friendly habit that will help benefit the economy, cut down pollution, conserve natural resources, and keep the environment cleaner. We all must do our part to help the earth, but most people do not know the right way to recycle. You are not alone if you have ever been a bit confused about what can and cannot be recycled. Experts confirm that around 30% of materials in the recycling bin should not be there. Surprisingly, some of the items we are trying to recycle can contaminate a whole truckload of recyclable materials, causing them to be sent to the landfill. This pretty much defeats the purpose of recycling in the first place. Our experts on plastic recycling in New Jersey offer the following tips for recycling correctly:

Reduce, reuse, then recycle

No one is arguing that recycling is not a fantastic process. But, it is essential for people to discover ways to reduce the amount of waste we create in the first place. Over time, small changes can make a huge difference in decreasing our environmental footprint. Here are a few things anyone can do to decrease the amount of waste at home:

  • Repair or donate items instead of throwing them in the garbage
  • Reuse food jars in your home
  • Reduce takeout waste through meal planning
  • Utilize reusable containers to bring lunch to work
  • Buy a reusable water bottle
  • Avoid plastic shopping bags by bringing your own reusable bags for groceries

Smell your recycling bin

If your recycling bin stinks, it is time to clean it out. Foul odors usually originate from tossing items in that are contaminated with food, which can continuously spoil your recycling. You may need to scrub away sticky residues with dish soap. Always flip over your container and let it dry before putting in more recycling.

Check on glass

Glass is recyclable, but it is essential to check with your local recycling provider to make sure they accept it. Also, avoid putting broken glass in the recycling bin. It can be hazardous to recycling workers and clog up machinery.

Empty, clean, and dry

In most homes, drink and food containers make up the majority of recycling. Most people are not aware that one container with food waste in it can contaminate a whole truck full of recycling. So, avoid recycling dirty bottles of peanut butter, oil, and ketchup. Make sure anything you recycle is emptied, cleaned, and dried. When you are unsure if something is okay for recycling, just throw it away.

Do not recycle items smaller than a credit card

It is easy to get caught up in recycling everything you possibly can. But small items like can tabs, tiny paper pieces, and bottle caps can get stuck in machinery. Avoid recycling anything smaller than a credit card to ensure you do not jam recycling machines.

These are just a few tips to help you recycle correctly. Contact us today about plastic recycling in New Jersey!