5 Things You Would Never Think To Recycle…But Can

Recycling pretty much rocks.

Most of us either own a cup, shirt, etc that is either partially or entirely made of recycled materials.

Those recycled materials, in part, come from stuff that we as consumers recycle.

So….wanna find out how you can do your part?

 

Since we’re on the topic of recycling, here are a few of items that people typically overlook or think can’t be recycled, yet usually can be:

• Phone Books – If your city allows you to recycle mixed paper then they’ll also accept phone books. If you are going to recycle them, make sure and take any metal inserts or non paper items out. Also, if you find yourself searching the web for phone number’s, addresses, etc and don’t use your phone book then you can actually call and request to not have one delivered…because reducing is even better than recycling.
• Aluminum foil – In some cities aluminum foil can be tossed in the recycling just like aluminum cans. Although if your city does not accept it than you can always wash and reuse it, or een crunch it into balls and use it in your clothes dryer to take away the static.
• Aerosol cans – Most cities allow these to be recycled as long as they are completely empty. However, if they’re still partially filled you can always check with your recycling center or Earth911.org to see what recycling options there are in for them in your area.
• Labels/slightly dirty containers- As far as labels go, don’t worry about them. Recycling centers have machines that take care of removing these. Also, recycling centers have ways to remove that tiny bit of peanut butter left in the jar, etc so go ahead throw it in the recycling at your house. That said, food contamination is the biggest issue plaguing the recycling industry in America. So how much food residue is too much? What do you think?
• Metal hangers- Some cities do allow these in the curbside pickup. But if they’re not accepted, you can always drop them off at your local recycling center. Another way to recycle these is to take them by your local dry cleaner, I’m sure they’ll appreciate the extra hangers.Taking them to your local dry cleaner is even better, because reusing always trumps recycling.

 

Next time you’re headed to the trash can, double-check the item you’re about to throw away. You might be able to recycle it.

Have you ever found any item that you would have at first not considered recycling, but then found out your city allows?

photo via e-magic