what goes in recycle bin

What Goes in the Recycle Bin?
Recycling rules vary by location, but common items include clean paper, cardboard, plastics #1 and #2, glass bottles/jars, and metal cans—all rinsed and sorted properly.

Always check your local guidelines, as contamination can ruin batches.

Accepted Items

These staples belong in most curbside bins when prepared right:

• Paper/Cardboard : Newspapers, office paper, flattened boxes (no tape/Styrofoam).

• Plastics #1 & #2: Bottles/jugs for water, soda, milk, detergent—rinsed empty.

• Glass : Clean bottles/jars (beer, food); skip broken glass or mirrors.

• Metals : Aluminum/steel cans (soda, soup); remove lids if different material.

Pro Tip : Flatten boxes and crush cans to maximize space—simple habits like rinsing prevent rejected loads.

Common No-Gos

Avoid these to keep recycling clean and efficient:

• Contaminated Food Items : Greasy pizza boxes, paper towels.

• Other Plastics : Bags, wrappers, toys, Styrofoam, #3-7 unless specified.

• Hazardous : Batteries, chemicals, aerosol cans.

• Tiny/Soft Items : Shredded paper (clogs machines), plastic wrap.

One recycler shared: > "Shredded paper falls through sorters—tear docs in half instead!"

Local Variations

• US Examples : Montgomery County blue bins take foil, tubs, lids too.

• UK Notes : Often strict on food packaging; check council apps.

• 2025 Trends : More programs accept #5 plastics amid sustainability pushes, but verify apps like RecycleNation.

TL;DR : Stick to clean PET/HDPE plastics, paper, glass, metals; trash the rest or special drop-off.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.