Knowing what can be recycled and what can’t is confusing. We all want to contribute to a healthy planet, but so many things we use and throw away on a daily basis could go either way — trash or recycle.
Take plastic, for example. There’s a gray area when it comes to plastic items like soda bottles, straws or food wrap. If they’re all plastic, why can’t they be recycled in the same way? Similar obscurities surrounding other household disposables from batteries to cardboard create uncertainty about how to discard certain items properly.
Understanding the difference between items that belong in the garbage, recycling or neither is vital for making sure our environmental impact is a positive one. Let’s break down what can be taken to the curbside on trash day and what other items should be disposed of elsewhere.
Plastic Bottles and Containers
Recycle
You may see the recycling symbol on the bottom of a plastic container and assume it’s 100% recyclable — but there is some nuance.
Only plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 in the middle of the recycling symbol are widely recyclable. Plastics with the numbers 3 through 7 may not be — although 5 is becoming more accepted. This helpful guide from Good Housekeeping breaks down the meaning of every plastic recycling symbol and how to recycle each.
Most plastic bottles and containers, such as water bottles, milk jugs and yogurt tubs are recyclable. Make sure to rinse them out before tossing them in the recycling bin to avoid contamination.
Trash
Some plastic items like plastic grocery bags, straws and wrappers are not recyclable as they can become tangled in the machinery at recycling facilities. Plastic bags are now banned in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island with a partial ban in Massachusetts, but if you have some that need to be disposed of, find local recycling drop-off points or try to reduce your use of them entirely.
Neither
Polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, is not recyclable and takes over 500 years to degrade in a landfill. For this reason, look for biodegradable alternatives like paper or bamboo for insulation purposes or mushroom packaging for foam needs.
Cardboard and Paper
Recycle
Paper makes up 23% of municipal solid waste generated each year, more than any other material, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Cardboard boxes (including pizza boxes), newspaper, magazines (including those ad stacks we get in the mail) and printer paper are all recyclable. One caveat to remember, however, is that any cardboard should be free from food residue and that paper products are clean and dry.
Trash
Paper towels and napkins, especially if they’ve been used for food or cleaning chemicals, should go in the trash. They are often too soiled for recycling and can contaminate other paper products in the recycling system.
Glass Bottles and Jars
Recycle
Glass, as a general rule, can be recycled; think beverage bottles, jam jars, candle containers, etc. Rinse them out to clean any food or other kind of residue and remove any metal lids (which should be recycled separately or thrown out if they are mixed with other materials.)
Trash
If the glass is broken, it should be disposed of in the trash because it is too dangerous to handle in recycling plants.
Neither
Some glass items like mirrors or window glass are not suitable for curbside recycling. These types of glass have different chemical compositions and can interfere with the recycling process. Look for special disposal services in your area instead.
Metal Items
Recycle
Aluminum cans — like soda cans — are highly recyclable and should always be placed in your recycling bin. Be sure to always rinse the cans before doing so.
Trash
Some metal items such as aluminum foil and pie tins may not be accepted in curbside recycling. If they are dirty or have food residue, they may need to go in the trash.
Neither
Large metal objects like old appliances or scrap metal need to be taken to designated recycling centers where they can be processed correctly.
Electronics
Neither
Electronics like laptops, TVs, cellphones, etc., should be taken to a SERI-certified electronics recycling facility. Some states and municipalities hold special electronic waste collection events; check your state’s website for more information.
If you have an old phone that still works, consider putting your old phone to good use rather than throwing it away.
Batteries
Recycle
Rechargeable batteries and single-use batteries (like AA, AAA and 9-volt batteries) should never be thrown in the trash, even if they are marked as non-hazardous. Instead, look into your community’s designated battery recycling program.
Neither
Lithium-ion batteries often found in laptops and power tools can pose a fire risk and require special handling. They should always be disposed of at designated e-waste or hazardous waste recycling facilities.
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Download NowHazardous Waste
Neither
Hazardous waste should never be thrown away with regular garbage or poured down the drain or on the ground. Household items like paint, solvents, thermometers and fluorescent lights, motor oil and pesticides are all considered hazardous waste.
As with e-waste, many states and municipalities hold special events to collect such waste. Local businesses that sell the products will sometimes accept them for recycling.
Clothing and Fabrics
Recycle
Many fabric items (old clothing, linens or towels) can be donated, repurposed or recycled. Some organizations specialize in textile recycling, so look for drop-off locations for items like worn clothes.
Trash
Clothing or fabrics that are beyond repair and cannot be reused should be placed in the trash.
Neither
Items made of synthetic fabrics like polyester are not biodegradable and are hard to recycle through standard textile programs. Look for specialized textile recycling programs to handle these types of materials or consider donating.
State Recycling Resources
• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Massachusetts Recycling Guidelines
• New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• New York Department of Environmental Conservation
• Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation
Are you a stickler when it comes to recycling? What recyclable/non-recyclable household items did we miss? Let us know in the comments!
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You cannot recycle cardboard that has a plastic film, either on the surface or laminated between two layers of paper.
You cannot recycle cardboard that is coated with plastic. Many non-corrugated cardboard boxes and mailed advertisements are, and it’s not easy to see.
Sometimes the edges of the plastic film are (barely) visible. Other times, you can bend the cardboard back and forth; the plastic film will wrinkle and separate. With practice, you’ll easily be able to tell the difference.
Envelopes and wrappers, like those wrapping a ream of printer copier or paper, usually have a thin layer of plastic film between two layers of paper. If you rip such wrappers, you can see this.
How do we recycle cardboard cylinders with metal tops and bottoms and other containers with 2 different components? Are we supposed to tear them apart?
can you recycle used lumber scraps – 2X4s, plyyood, sheetrock, etc?
Are table lamps and thermostats recyclable?
As another commenter wrote, this article does not agree with local and state regulations in Massachusetts. First, we are told to ignore the recycling symbol and go by the type of container. Black plastic is not accepted because supposedly the sorting machine doesn’t recognize it. Most grocery stores have take back bins for clean, dry plastic bags. Pizza boxes with some grease stain are accepted. Remove any food and inserts. Envelopes with clear windows can be recycled but shredded paper and register receipts cannot be recycled. Single use AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volt can be thrown in the trash. Massachusetts no longer allows textiles in the trash but there are few alternatives for textiles that are beyond their useful life. I am the recycle guru in my household but even I am frequently stumped and go to Massachusetts’ Recyclopedia.
This article is way too general to be of any real use. Every jurisdiction or contractor will have their own abilities and limitations on what materials they can recycle, so pay attention to what should go in the bin in your area.. No matter what is accepted, anything small, no matter what the material, will fall through the cracks of the processing machines and be sent to trash – the size limit is about the size of a credit card or a pack of playing cards. And film of any kind – think plastic bags – should not go in the bin. Many supermarkets have a place for plastic film near their entrances/exits.
Thanks for this overview!
It would be great to know what to do with caps for plastic bottles in the U.S. In Europe the lids are attached so they can’t be removed when the bottles are put into a bin for recycling. Loose caps can cause problems at recycling facilities.
Non-compostable plastic utensils are also a problem. Many companies are still including these with takeout orders. We usually ask for no bag, no utensils, and no packaged sauces.
What about fire extinguishers?
These generalized, superficial guidelines on recycling are not useful. People need to find out the rules for their municipality, which are driven by their recycling provider.
In MA we have a “Recyclopedia” which is maintained by waste hauling companies serving the state and allows people to look up specific items https://recyclesmartma.org/. For example, milk/soup cartons are only recyclable in Western MA but not elsewhere in the state.
We also have a ban on putting textiles in the trash. Even “Clothing or fabrics that are beyond repair and cannot be reused” can not be put in the trash.
Metal aerosol cans should never go in recycling.
Where to dispose of cans of whipped cream under pressure.
Thank you for highlighting recycling, and for including websites for convenient access!
According to the Massachusetts website, there are a few things that are different from what the article states:
— plastic bags (grocery bags, bread bags, baggies, the outside wrap of cases of water, etc.) can be recycled at most grocery stores.
— paper with glitter, foil, or shiny metallic print or stickers are not recyclable (this includes wrapping paper, gift bags, and greeting cards, which are otherwise recyclable)
— regular batteries (AA, AAA, etc., that are NOT rechargeable) can be thrown in the trash
— clothing/textiles are not allowed in the trash (Goodwill and Salvation Army take worn, torn, and unsaleable items and recycle them)
I just found out recently that you can recycle–for free!–used Crest, Oral-B, & Fixodent (sadly, only those specific brands) oral care products including plastic toothbrushes, toothbrush head refills, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, and floss picks!
https://oralb.com/en-us/recycling/
TerraCycle also has a program for recycling non-brand specific items, but I think there’s a waitlist, plus there’s the argument that recycling plastic packaging is enabling manufacturers to continue using plastic instead of developing more sustainable packaging.
One other thing that should be emphasized is that REDUCING waste is even better than recycling:
— print double-sided
— use the back of already printed paper as scrap paper
— use reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic water bottles
Recycling of rectangular cardboard juice and dairy containers varies from town to town. Check with your DPW to find out where to place them if they are not explicitly mentioned in the information provided to residents (which should be!).
How do I recycle nail polish?
Hi Marla,
Nail polish is considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of at your nearest hazardous waste facility.
Where can I recycle my Brita Water filters ?
Where can I recycle/repurpose plastic recycle bags once they’ve torn or are no longer functional?
Great question–thanks for asking it! Most grocery stores (at least in MA) have bins at their entrances or by the can recycling. You can also recycle many other types of plastic bags that should not go in your recycling bin, such as bubble wrap (I think it needs to be popped–fun!), plastic mailers (but you have to remove the paper label), produce bags, cereal bags, bread bags, baggies, the outside wrap of cases of water, etc. This website is helpful:
https://plasticfilmrecycling.org/
Most info out there says non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries can go in the trash. Little to no programs available to recycle them.
Two other categories of disposables that should be addressed are: (1) Food and other kitchen related items, compostible and not (2) expired pharmaceuticles
Some towns in Massachusetts are recycling food wastes… check with your town and if they don’t already, ask them to consider it. The town of Harwich instituted this in July and, as of the end of January,
has moved 12 TONS of waste from their landfill and sent to recycling.
OMG! You never answered the pizza box question highlighted in your promo and intro! And what about cardboard milk cartons?? Your article leaves us scratching our heads over the 2 most vexing questions about recycling — especially the specific one you promised to answer!!
Hi Don,
Cardboard boxes can be recycled if they are free from food residue. We’ve added a disclaimer for pizza boxes in the Cardboard & Paper section. Thank you for the suggestion! As for cardboard milk cartons, typically they are also recyclable but it does depend on your community. You can check your zip code here: https://recyclecartons.com/carton-recycling-locator/
I us the “Recycle Coach: app on my phone. My town recommends this and I added when I first heard about it. You should check this out!
How do you recycle smoke alarms?
Hi there,
Some alarm companies have send-back programs for proper disposal that you may be able to take advantage of. Otherwise, we recommend looking into your community’s recycling program, Board of Health or Department of Public Works for their guidance.