Did you know that recycling is the easiest and most affordable means of reducing energy consumption? By collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products, recycling can have a huge benefit to the community, the economy, and the environment.
But understanding which materials can be recycled can be confusing – really confusing. The first step is contacting your local county or municipality to determine your area’s specific recycling guidelines. It’s important to know what can be accepted and what cannot. Non-recyclable items can contaminate the entire load of recyclables, which can defeat the purpose of recycling altogether.
When it comes to recycling, you CAN recycle the following items (but please make sure they are empty before adding to the bin):
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Mail
- Beverage cans
- Food cans
- Glass bottles
- Jars (glass and plastic)
- Jugs
- Plastic bottles and caps
In turn, the following items, as a general rule, should NOT be recycled:
- Pizza Boxes (contaminants like glue and grease disqualify this cardboard from recycling)
- Lids and caps
- Styrofoam (egg cartons, take-out boxes, etc.)
- Wire hangers
- Plastic bags/plastic wrap
- Medications
- Propane tanks
There’s no better time than Earth Day to celebrate the environment and raise awareness for recycling and other ways we can all help to take care of our planet. For more information on recycling in the state of New Jersey, please visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/.