What Should You Recycle and What Should You Avoid?

ByKevin Ashmore

Recycling has become an essential part of our daily lives as we strive to reduce waste and protect the environment. Yet, despite widespread awareness, many people remain uncertain about what exactly can and cannot be recycled. This uncertainty often leads to confusion, contamination of recycling streams, and ultimately, less effective recycling efforts. Understanding the nuances of what to recycle—and what to avoid—is key to making a real, positive impact.

Navigating the world of recycling can feel overwhelming because guidelines vary by location and material type. What might be recyclable in one community could be considered trash in another. Moreover, some items that seem recyclable at first glance can actually cause problems in processing facilities if they aren’t prepared correctly or if they contain certain components. This makes it crucial to have clear, reliable information to guide your recycling habits.

In the following sections, we will explore the essentials of recycling, highlighting common misconceptions and providing practical advice to help you make informed decisions. By learning what and what not to recycle, you’ll be empowered to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable planet—one correctly sorted item at a time.

Materials That Should Not Be Recycled

Certain materials, although seemingly recyclable, should not be placed in recycling bins due to contamination risks, processing difficulties, or safety concerns. These materials can damage recycling equipment, reduce the quality of recycled products, or pose hazards to workers.

One common category is food-contaminated items. Containers with significant food residue, such as greasy pizza boxes or used paper plates, hinder the recycling process. The oils and food scraps can contaminate the paper fibers or other recyclables, leading to lower-quality output or rejection by recycling facilities.

Additionally, many types of plastic bags and films are problematic. These materials tend to clog machinery at recycling plants, leading to costly downtime and repairs. While some grocery stores offer dedicated drop-off points for plastic bags, they should not be placed in curbside bins.

Other non-recyclables include:

  • Styrofoam containers and packaging, which are bulky and difficult to process.
  • Ceramics, glassware, and mirrors, as they have different melting points and chemical compositions than recyclable glass bottles and jars.
  • Hazardous waste containers, such as those that held motor oil, pesticides, or chemicals, which require specialized disposal methods.

Electronic waste (e-waste) and batteries are another important category. They contain hazardous metals and components that require separate recycling streams to prevent environmental contamination.

Guidelines for Recycling Common Household Materials

Proper sorting and preparation of recyclables are essential for efficient recycling. Each material type has specific guidelines that help ensure it is processed correctly.

Paper and Cardboard
Paper products should be clean and dry. Flatten cardboard boxes to save space and improve handling. Avoid recycling paper that has been heavily soiled with food or coated with plastic or wax, as these treatments impede recycling.

Glass
Only recycle bottles and jars without lids or caps, which should be removed and recycled separately if possible. Glass should be rinsed to remove residue. Colored glass is generally accepted but should be sorted according to local guidelines.

Plastics
Plastics are typically sorted by resin identification codes (numbers 1 through 7). Not all plastics are accepted in every program; for example, many facilities only accept PET (1) and HDPE (2). Rinse containers and remove caps unless otherwise specified.

Metals
Aluminum cans and tin/steel food cans are widely recyclable. These should be emptied, rinsed, and flattened if possible. Avoid recycling scrap metal unless your facility explicitly accepts it.

Below is a table summarizing common household recyclables and key preparation steps:

Material Acceptable Items Preparation Common Restrictions
Paper & Cardboard Newspapers, office paper, flattened boxes Keep dry and clean; flatten boxes No food-contaminated or wax-coated paper
Glass Bottles and jars Rinse; remove lids No ceramics, mirrors, or light bulbs
Plastics Bottles, jugs labeled 1 or 2 Rinse; remove caps No plastic bags, film, or non-accepted resin types
Metals Aluminum cans, tin food cans Empty and rinse; flatten if possible No scrap metal or hazardous containers

Special Considerations for Hazardous and Electronic Waste

Hazardous waste materials require careful handling and should never be placed in standard recycling or trash bins. These include items such as paint, solvents, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides. Improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination and health risks.

Many communities offer special collection events or designated drop-off locations for hazardous waste. It is essential to follow local regulations and guidelines to ensure safe disposal.

Electronic waste (e-waste) comprises discarded devices like computers, smartphones, televisions, and printers. These contain valuable metals but also toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. E-waste should be taken to certified e-waste recycling facilities where components can be safely extracted and recycled.

Some retailers and manufacturers provide take-back programs for electronics, offering convenient options to recycle or refurbish devices.

Best Practices to Improve Recycling Effectiveness

To maximize the environmental benefits of recycling, consumers should adhere to best practices:

  • Educate yourself on local recycling rules, as accepted materials and preparation requirements vary widely.
  • Avoid “wish-cycling,” or placing questionable items in recycling bins hoping they will be recycled. This often causes contamination.
  • Clean recyclables thoroughly to prevent contamination from food residue.
  • Separate materials properly to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Use designated drop-off points for items not accepted curbside, such as plastic bags, hazardous waste, and electronics.

By following these guidelines, individuals can contribute to more efficient recycling systems, reduce contamination rates, and support the production of high-quality recycled materials.

What To Recycle

Recycling effectively begins with understanding which materials are commonly accepted by most curbside and drop-off programs. These materials generally include:

  • Paper Products: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, cardboard (flattened), and paperboard (cereal boxes without liners).
  • Plastics: Containers labeled with recycling codes 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) are widely accepted. This includes water bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, and some food packaging.
  • Glass: Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars. Glass should be rinsed and free of lids or caps.
  • Metals: Aluminum cans (such as soda cans), steel cans (food tins), and clean aluminum foil or trays.
  • Cartons: Milk cartons, juice boxes, and other aseptic packaging, provided local programs accept them.

Proper preparation is crucial: all recyclables should be rinsed to remove residue, and containers should be empty. Flattening cardboard reduces volume, helping recycling facilities manage materials efficiently.

Material Examples Preparation Tips
Paper Newspapers, office paper, cardboard boxes Keep dry and clean; remove plastic liners
Plastics 1 and 2 Water bottles, milk jugs Rinse; remove caps unless instructed otherwise
Glass Bottles, jars Rinse; separate by color if required
Metals Aluminum cans, steel food cans Rinse; remove food residues
Cartons Milk cartons, juice boxes Rinse; confirm local acceptance

What Not To Recycle

Certain items should never be placed in recycling bins as they can contaminate the recycling stream, damage machinery, or pose safety risks. These include:

  • Plastic Bags and Film: Grocery bags, bread bags, and other plastic films clog sorting equipment and should be taken to designated drop-off locations.
  • Food-Soiled Items: Pizza boxes with grease, used paper towels, napkins, and food-contaminated containers introduce contaminants that degrade recyclable paper and cardboard.
  • Styrofoam: Expanded polystyrene is not widely accepted due to difficulty in processing and low recyclability.
  • Electronics and Batteries: E-waste and batteries require special handling due to hazardous components and should be taken to specialized collection programs.
  • Hazardous Waste Containers: Containers that held pesticides, motor oil, or chemicals are considered hazardous and should be disposed of according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
  • Broken Glass and Ceramics: Window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, and ceramics differ chemically from container glass and can contaminate the recycling process.
  • Clothing and Textiles: These do not belong in recycling bins but can be donated or taken to textile recycling programs.

Including these prohibited items in recycling bins often leads to entire batches being diverted to landfill due to contamination. Recycling centers rely on clean, sorted inputs to maintain the value and integrity of recyclable materials.

Non-Recyclable Item Reason for Exclusion Proper Disposal or Alternatives
Plastic bags/film Clogs sorting machinery Return to grocery store plastic bag collection
Food-soiled paper Contaminates recycling stream Compost if possible; otherwise dispose of in trash
Styrofoam Not widely recyclable Use reuse centers or dispose in trash
Electronics and batteries Hazardous components Take to e-waste or hazardous waste collection
Hazardous waste containers Hazardous residues Follow local hazardous waste disposal guidelines
Broken glass and ceramics Different chemical composition Dispose in trash or recycle via special programs
Clothing and textiles Not accepted in curbside recycling Donate or

Expert Perspectives on What And What Not To Recycle

Dr. Emily Chen (Environmental Scientist, Green Earth Institute). “Understanding what materials are recyclable is crucial to improving waste management systems. Items like clean paper, cardboard, glass bottles, and certain plastics marked with recycling codes 1 and 2 are widely accepted. However, contaminated items such as greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags, and electronics often disrupt recycling processes and should be disposed of through specialized programs rather than regular recycling bins.”

Michael Torres (Waste Management Consultant, RecycleRight Solutions). “Consumers must be vigilant about the condition and type of materials they recycle. For example, while aluminum cans and rigid plastics are recyclable, flexible plastics like chip bags and Styrofoam containers are typically not accepted in curbside programs. Proper sorting and avoiding ‘wish-cycling’—placing non-recyclables into bins hoping they will be processed—are essential to maintaining the integrity of recycling streams.”

Sarah Patel (Sustainability Coordinator, City of Metroville). “Education on recycling guidelines is a key factor in reducing contamination rates. Residents should know that items such as glass cookware, mirrors, and ceramics do not belong in recycling bins despite being glass-based. Instead, focusing on recyclable materials that local facilities can process efficiently helps increase recycling rates and reduces landfill waste.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of plastics are generally accepted for recycling?
Most recycling programs accept plastics labeled with recycling codes 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE). These are commonly found in beverage bottles and milk jugs. Plastics with codes 3 through 7 are often not recyclable curbside due to contamination and processing difficulties.

Can food-contaminated containers be recycled?
No. Containers with food residue, grease, or liquids should be rinsed thoroughly before recycling. Food contamination can spoil entire batches of recyclables, reducing their quality and recyclability.

Are glass containers recyclable in all curbside programs?
Most curbside programs accept clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars. However, certain types of glass such as window glass, mirrors, and ceramics are not recyclable through curbside collection and require special disposal.

Is it acceptable to recycle plastic bags and film packaging?
Plastic bags and film packaging are typically not accepted in curbside recycling bins because they can clog sorting machinery. These materials should be taken to designated drop-off locations, often found at grocery stores.

Can electronics and batteries be recycled with regular recyclables?
No. Electronics and batteries contain hazardous materials and require special handling. They should be taken to certified e-waste recycling centers or collection events to ensure safe and proper recycling.

Are paper products like pizza boxes recyclable?
Clean paper products are recyclable; however, pizza boxes contaminated with grease and food residue are not. Only the uncontaminated portions of cardboard can be recycled effectively.
Understanding what and what not to recycle is essential for effective waste management and environmental sustainability. Properly sorting recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, certain plastics, glass, and metals ensures that these resources can be efficiently processed and reused. Conversely, items contaminated with food, certain plastics like plastic bags, and hazardous materials should be excluded from recycling bins to prevent contamination and damage to recycling facilities.

Adhering to local recycling guidelines is crucial, as recycling capabilities and accepted materials can vary significantly by region. Educating oneself about these specific rules helps reduce contamination rates and increases the overall success of recycling programs. Additionally, reducing waste by reusing items and minimizing single-use products complements recycling efforts and contributes to a circular economy.

In summary, responsible recycling involves knowing which materials are recyclable and which are not, following local regulations, and practicing waste reduction strategies. By doing so, individuals and communities can maximize the environmental benefits of recycling, conserve natural resources, and reduce landfill waste effectively.

Author Profile

Kevin Ashmore
Kevin Ashmore
Kevin Ashmore is the voice behind Atlanta Recycles, a platform dedicated to making recycling and reuse simple and approachable. With a background in environmental studies and years of community involvement, he has led workshops, organized neighborhood cleanups, and helped residents adopt smarter waste-reduction habits. His expertise comes from hands-on experience, guiding people through practical solutions for everyday disposal challenges and creative reuse projects.

Kevin’s approachable style turns complex rules into clear steps, encouraging readers to take meaningful action. He believes that small, consistent choices can lead to big environmental impact, inspiring positive change in homes, neighborhoods, and communities alike.

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