Recycling Tips that May Surprise You
Surprises in the world of recycling
Most of us are not strangers to recycling. We are familiar with the multi-colored bins and the appropriate way to sort our recyclables. Despite our dedication and commitment to recycling, many items are ultimately diverted out of our recycling bins to landfills.
Before depositing any unwanted items into the bin, you should determine if they are accepted by your local recycling center. Most will provide you with a list of items they collect in each designated bin (ex: plastic #2 in the blue bin). Even though some can appear recyclable, they may in fact be sorted and placed into the trash. By acknowledging the following items as non-recyclable you may continue to make appropriate choice by investing in alternatives, reusing the items, or by simply reducing your consumption of them.
Common things which are actually non-recyclable
- Pizza boxes
Reason:
Even though pizza boxes are made out of recyclable cardboard, once the paper comes in contact with food oils and animal byproducts it can no longer be recycled. Simply stated: water and oil don’t mix in a paper slushy. A grease stained pizza box can cause a whole recycling bin to be contaminated and ultimately be diverted as trash.
Best alternative:
The most eco-friendly and fun substitute for a hot-and-ready pizza, is to make one yourself. This will allow you to eliminate the unnecessary packing associated with a ready or frozen pizza.
- Styrofoam
Reason:
Recycling centers do not collect styrofoam because the chemicals required to breakdown the product are extremely toxic. If processed, it can only be chopped or compressed into other styrofoam products. In addition, styrofoam is not biodegradable, thus when thrown away it can contaminate water ways, soil, and poison wildlife.
Best alternative:
When confronted with styrofoam at a restaurant (take out boxes, cups, plates, etc.), opt for an aluminum or paper container. In packages, styrofoam peanuts can be replaced with old newspapers, plastic bubbles, and even textiles.
- Plastic coat hangers
Reason:
It is difficult to determine what type of plastic is used to create hangers, thus recycling centers will not accept them. Even if marked, centers will sort your recycling bin and dispose of your unwanted hangers because the recycling machine can be damaged by wedged hangers.
Best alternative:
When shopping for a substitute, purchase 100% FSC certified wood hangers. Bamboo is a highly recommended wood due to its renewable and sustainable qualities. If you truly want to invest in an eco-friendly way to store your clothes, invest in a standing closet or organic hanging canvas shelves. Or, use a green dry cleaners that recycles the metal hangers for you. Many cleaners do provide re-use of hangers if they are returned in a neat stack.
- Mirrors
Reason:
The glass used for mirrors is non-recyclable due to its chemical composition. Since mirrors are made out of various components, there is not easy way to disassemble them for recycling. In addition, mirrors may contain various levels of lead, which if recycled and leached can pose a threat to the environment.
Best alternative:
If you are looking to purchase a new mirror, invest in one that is distinguishably marked lead-free. The best alternative would be to buy a vintage/antique mirror or to relocate an old mirror to remodel the room.
- Juice boxes
Reason:
According to the University of Michigan, Americans consume 4 billion juice boxes a year, all of which end up in landfills. Juice boxes which contain bright graphics and metallic insulation are non-recyclable because the bonded material are inseparable, thus preventing the recycling process to take place.
Best alternative:
When purchasing juice, get the kind which is sold in a recyclable plastic container. Avoid buying small individual bottles, packs, or boxes, instead purchase a large gallon of juice to refill your glasses or reusable bottles.
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Tags: Recycling
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
OMG! YOU CANT RECYCLE PIZZA BOXES! I HAVE BEEN DROPPING THEM INTO THE RECYCLING BIN….
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
there are many things that you can do with those items, like recycled art or even just reuse them! you can make little mirror crafts… it’s pretty cool if you do it with your kids (they happen to be creative!!!)
November 11th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
What? Pizza boxes aren’t recyclable? I’ve been throwing them in to the recycling bins for a long time, what happens to them?
November 20th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Eww! Pizza boxes are not recyclable? Does that mean other cardboard items with oil on them aren’t recyclable either?
November 20th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I hate how restaurants only have the option of styrofoam take out boxes, even though styrofoam is not recyclable (except at high costs). Why can’t they provide more eco-friendly take out options. O the frustration.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Good thing I don’t own many mirrors (since I don’t like looking at myself) or else I would have a lot that would just sit in the garage since they’re nonrecycable.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
i remember in high school we used to put pizza boxes in the recycle bin all the time. oops.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
haha yeah we used to throw our pizza boxes into the recycle bin too!
March 9th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
omg i eat so much pizza in college that i feel bad now!
March 9th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I think if your pizza or other food boxes are not covered in food stains you can still recycle them. I have noticed that a few places put liners on the bottom of the box now to make this happen.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Now this just proves, if you go RAW VEGAN… you barely have any trash! haha
March 9th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
I looooove to go buy antique items and I have always gotten really cool mirrors at flea shops or swap meets… it makes for a really great rustic look with in the home! I totally recommend it.