Recycling one ton of paper saves up to 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water. But this process is not just about tossing things in a bin, it requires proper sorting and treatment as all materials are not easily recyclable. This article will explore the things that can be recycled and the ones that cannot.
Things That Can Be Recycled at Home
You may be surprised by how many things you can recycle at home, from paper and plastic to metal and glass. Here are some examples of things that can be recycled and reused.
1. Tin Cans
With two coffee tins and a long string, you can create a fun toy for kids that lets them communicate across a distance. You can also repurpose the tins as planters, lanterns, or organizers for your home.
2. Milk Cartons
Instead of buying ice packs, you can reuse old milk cartons by filling them with water and freezing them. They will keep your cooler cold and fresh.
3. Empty Roll-On Deodorant Bottles
You can turn these bottles into roll-on paint bottles for kids by opening them, washing them well, and filling them with paint. Make sure to screw the lid on tightly and store it upside down to prevent drying.
However, you start recycling or reusing things, check out our blog – Waste Segregation Complete Guide: Importance, Types and Sorting Bins
4. Food Scraps
A worm farm is a great way to recycle your food scraps and produce rich fertilizer for your plants and veggies. One kilogram of worms can consume and compost one kilogram of food every day.
Cross-reference: Worm Composting
5. Empty Ice Cream Containers
You can use an empty ice cream container to store anything you want. Just wash it well and label it accordingly.
6. Wax Crayons
You can sort your old or broken wax crayons by color and melt them in a hot water bath to make new ones. You can also add them to your candle-making process to give them some color.
7. Corks
You can save your corks in a jar and use them for various crafts, such as painting stamps or cork noticeboards. Just glue them to a board or cut them into shapes and dip them in paint.
8. Old DVDs, CDs, or Videotapes
You can scare away birds and squirrels from your garden by hanging CDs or DVDs from the branches. You can also use the tape from old VHS tapes as a substitute for rope, or make coasters by gluing two discs together and covering them with felt.
9. Old Lipsticks
You can make a new lip gloss by melting the leftover lipstick with some lip balm in a small pot. You can mix different colors and flavors to create your custom lip gloss.
10. Plastic Water Bottles
You can reduce your environmental impact by using a water filter and a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles. You can also reuse the bottles for making bird feeders, sprinklers, or crafts.
For more details, you can take a look at How to Recycle Plastic Bottles at Home.
11. Plastic Bags
You can check if your local grocery store has a plastic bag recycling program and bring your old bags there. You can also use them for various purposes at home, such as trash bin liners, doggie poo or cat litter bags, or shipping material.
12. Egg Cartons
They are useful for organizing and storing small craft items, such as beads, buttons, or pins. You can also use them for different projects, such as making egg carton planters, gift boxes, or craft pieces.
13. Clear Plastic Lids
You can prevent rust rings from your shave gel bottle by placing a clear plastic lid underneath it in the bathroom. You can also protect your carpet from chair or sofa legs by putting plastic lids under them.
14. Aluminum Cans
You can recycle them as metal, or use them for making wind chimes, candle holders, or jewelry. You can cut, bend, or paint the cans to create different designs and shapes.
15. Glass Bottles and Jars
You can use them for making vases, terrariums, or lanterns. You can also decorate the bottles and jars with paint, stickers, or ribbons to make them more attractive.
16. Yogurt Containers
You can use them for making pots, scoops, or organizers. You can drill holes in the bottom of the containers to make drainage for your plants or cut the top off to make a scoop for your pet food or garden soil.
17. Hair Accessories
You can use old hair accessories for anything that requires rubber bands, tiebacks, or clips. You can use hair clips or ties to hold your curtains open, or to secure poles, stems, or branches in your garden.
18. Old Clothes
You don’t need to buy dust rags when you have old pants and T-shirts that you don’t wear anymore. You can donate them if they are still in good condition, or cut them up and use them to clean your house.
19. Old Tires
You can use them for making swings, planters, or furniture. You can stack, hang, or cut the tires to create different items for your garden or home.
20. Newspaper
You can use it for making paper mache, origami, or wrapping paper. You can also use it to line your pet cage, cover your windows, or start a fire.
Things That Cannot Be Recycled
Some things cannot be recycled, either because they are made of mixed materials, or because they are hazardous, or because they are too small or too dirty. Here are some materials that cannot be recycled, and how to dispose of them properly
1. Paper Plates, Towels, Napkins, Tissues, or Cups
They are usually dirty with food, grease, or other liquids, and the paper fibers are too short to be recycled. These items are considered contaminated paper, which can lower the quality of the recycled paper or even ruin the whole batch.
2. Pizza Boxes and Other Food Containers
Pizza boxes contaminate cardboard recycling and create tons of waste in the US, as Americans eat 3 billion pizzas a year.
The paper is often spoiled with oil, sauce, and food from the pizza or other dishes, which causes contamination. These items should be separated from the clean paper in the recycling bin.
3. Receipts
They are printed on thermal paper, which usually contains BPA, a harmful chemical that can contaminate the recycling process and the recycled products. BPA can affect the hormonal system of humans and animals, and cause various health problems.
4. Stickers
They have adhesive that can get caught in the recycling machinery and cause problems. The adhesive can also stick to other recyclables and make them harder to process or sort.
5. Books
They are mainly paper, but hardback books have binding methods that make them difficult to recycle. The binding can include glue, thread, or metal, which can interfere with the paper recycling process.
6. Batteries
They are corrosive and toxic and require special handling and facilities to be recycled. Batteries can contain lead, mercury, cadmium, or lithium, which can pose serious environmental and health risks if not disposed of properly.
Cross-reference: The Current Process for the Recycling of Spent Lithium Ion Batteries
7. Ceramics and Kitchenware
They have a higher melting point than conventional glass and require too much energy to be recycled. Ceramics and kitchenware can also damage the recycling machinery or mix with other glass and lower its quality.
8. Medical Waste
It is considered biohazardous and not reusable or recyclable and requires special disposal. Medical waste can include needles, syringes, bandages, gloves, or masks, which can carry infectious diseases or harmful substances.
For a complete understanding, you can also check out 4 Types of Waste and 5 Disposal Methods.
9. Plastic Bags and Wrappers
They are made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is not widely accepted by recycling facilities and can clog the recycling machinery. Plastic bags and wrappers can also trap air and moisture inside the recycling bin, which can cause mold and odor.
10. Coffee Lids and Other Plastic Lids
They are made of different types of plastic than the bottles or containers they are attached to and can confuse the recycling process. Plastic lids can also fly off during the transportation or sorting of the recyclables, and end up as litter. Moreover, you might wonder Which Plastics Can or Cannot be Recycled?
11. Disposable Plates, Cups, and Cutlery
They are made of plastic, paper, or foam that are not accepted by most recycling programs. Disposable plates, cups, and cutlery can also break into small pieces during the recycling process and become too hard to recover or reuse.
12. Food Waste
It is not recyclable and can contaminate other recyclables in the bin. Food waste can also attract pests and rodents to the recycling bin, and create a health hazard.
13. Polystyrene (PS) and Styrofoam
They are types of plastic that are difficult to recycle and not widely accepted by recycling facilities. Polystyrene and styrofoam can also take up a lot of space in the recycling bin, and in the landfill if not recycled.
14. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
It is a type of plastic that is toxic and harmful to the environment and human health, and is not widely accepted by recycling facilities. PVC can also release dioxins when burned or heated, which are carcinogenic and persistent pollutants.
Cross-reference: Recycling previously unrecyclable polyvinyl chloride
15. Mirrors
They have a reflective coating that makes them different from regular glass and are not widely accepted by recycling facilities. Mirrors can also shatter during the recycling process, and pose a safety risk for the workers.
16. Light Bulbs
They have different components and materials that make them difficult to recycle, and some of them contain mercury, which is hazardous. Light bulbs can also explode during the recycling process, and damage the machinery or injure the workers.
17. Diapers and Sanitary Products
They are made of plastic, paper, and cotton that are contaminated with human waste and fluids. Diapers and sanitary products can also spread bacteria and viruses to the recycling bin, and pose a health risk for the workers.
18. Old Electronics
Mostly, they are composed of metal, plastic, and glass that are laced with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Recycling them requires special equipment and procedures to prevent environmental and health hazards.
19. Shredded Paper
It is too small and difficult to sort and process. Shredded paper can also fall through the cracks of the recycling machinery, and end up as waste.
20. Glitter and Confetti
They are made of plastic or metal that is too small and shiny to be detected and separated by the machinery. Glitter and confetti can also stick to other recyclables and make them harder to process or sort.
Recycling is a beneficial practice that can help protect the environment and conserve resources, but it requires some knowledge and effort to do it correctly. By following the guidelines of what things can be recycled and what cannot, we can ensure that our process is effective. For more such interesting content, keep exploring our website.
Recommended: 20 Fun Glass Recycling Facts
