We’ve all probably been guilty of this recycling no-no at least once — discarding a disposable coffee cup or food takeout container in our bin. While you may be thinking you’re doing your part to help, your optimistic recycling may actually be hurting the process. Depending on where you live, there are some items that simply aren’t recyclable, including varieties of paper, glass and plastic. Check with your city service provider to know specifics, but here’s a list of items that generally are not recyclable, along with suggestions on how you can dispose or reuse them.
Aerosol Cans
Sure, they’re metal. But since spray cans also contain propellants and chemicals, most municipal systems treat them as hazardous material.
Batteries
These are generally handled separately from both regular trash and curbside recycling.
Brightly Dyed Paper
Strong paper dyes work just like that red sock in your white laundry.
Ceramics and Pottery
This includes things such as coffee mugs. You may be able to use these in the garden.
Diapers
It is not commercially feasible to reclaim the paper and plastic in disposable diapers.
Hazardous Waste
This includes household chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze and other liquid coolants. Motor oil is recyclable, but it is usually handled separately from household items. Find out how your community handles hazardous materials before you need those services.
Household Glass
Window panes, mirrors, light bulbs and tableware are impractical to recycle. Bottles and jars are usually fine. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) are recyclable, but contain a small amount of mercury and shouldn’t be treated as common household bulbs.
Juice Boxes and Other Coated Cardboard Drink Containers
Some manufacturers have begun producing recyclable containers. These will be specially marked. The rest are not suitable for reprocessing including many disposable coffee cups from your local coffee shop.
Medical Waste
Syringes, tubing, scalpels and other biohazards should be disposed as such.
Napkins and Paper Towels
Discouraged because of what they may have absorbed. Consider composting.
Paper Towels
Tissues and napkins are also included because they typically hold too much residue.
Pizza Boxes
Too much grease. While some compost enthusiasts steer clear of adding pizza box cardboard to their pile, others report no problems. It’s that or the trash.
Plastic Bags and Plastic Wrap
A woman in Monterey Park, California, carries her groceries in a plastic bag
Plastic bags may be convenient for us, but they’re not terribly convenient for the environment. (Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
If possible, clean and reuse the bags. You can even return them (along with many other plastic film products) to your grocery store or through RecycleBank.
Plastic-Coated Boxes, Plastic Food Boxes, or Plastic Without Recycling Marks
Dispose of safely.
Plastic Screw-On Tops
Dispose separately from recyclable plastic bottles. Remember that smaller caps are a choking hazard.
Shredded Paper
While most plain paper can be recycled, it’s hard for recycling centers to determine the type of paper if it’s shredded. However, you can use the shredded, plain paper in your compost or mulch.
Styrofoam
See if your community has a special facility for this.
Takeout Containers
salad in plastic box
Plastic takeout containers technically can be recycled if done in the right way. Patcharida/Shutterstock
Plastic containers that contained food can’t be recycled unless they are thoroughly rinsed out. Oily residue left on the containers makes them unrecyclable.
Tires
Many states require separate disposal of tires (and collect a fee at the point of sale for that purpose).
Tyvek Shipping Envelopes
These are the kind used by the post office and overnight delivery companies.
Wet Paper
In general, recyclers take a pass on paper items that have been exposed to water. The fibers may be damaged, and there are contamination risks.
Wire Hangers
Most centers don’t have the capability to recycle wire. However, most dry cleaners will gladly take them off your hands.
Yogurt Cups
Many centers don’t recycle plastics with the numbers three through seven. These items are typically food containers such as yogurt cups, butter tubs, and oil bottles. Your municipal recycling system gets the final say as to what belongs in your bin. Some areas will restrict more items that we’ve listed. Other have special programs for dealing with problematic materials. In most cases, municipal systems are happy to provide written guidelines. Wondering how to recycle something your local system won’t take? Pop over to the Earth911 website and see what is available in your area.
