Can you recycle plastic bags?
Do you have to scrub out your containers?
Every major curbside recycling program takes clean paper and cardboard, metal cans, and plastic jugs and bottles.
Beyond that, things get complicated.
But some general rules apply.
Otherwise find your citys sanitation department site.NYCandPhoenixhave simple do/dont guides.
Just throw out the wax liner, and put the tiny plastic table in the plastics bin.
When in doubt, rip off the greasy part and throw it out.
Most cities only allow rigid plastics.
Instead, find a recycling center, store, or neighborhood program that accepts them.
(There are exceptions!
L.A.allows clean bags and other soft plastics.)
Clothing and textiles:Look up drop-off options.
Motor oil:Your city might require you to put it on the curb separately from all other trash.
Batteries and electronics:Take them to a donation center or a store likeBest Buy.
If you throw out your batteries, at least tape down the terminals to reduce the risk of fire.
Appliances:Best Buyaccepts many of these too.
Check Your Local Rules:
Including rules from the five biggest U.S. cities as examples.
Glass:Houston only takes glass at drop-off centers.
Plastics:NYC and L.A. allow all rigid plastics; Chicago only allows bottles.
Houston has more complicated rules.
Metals:LA takes household metal; Chicago and Houston dont.
NYC, L.A., and Chicago take aluminum foil; Houston and Phoenix dont address it online.
Paper:No dark paper in Houston.
Hardcover books:Fine in L.A., but not NYC, Chicago, or Houston.
Phoenix doesnt even take paperbacks.
Styrofoam:LA takes it; Chicago, Houston, and NYC dont.
Shredded paper:In Chicago and Houston, youll need to find a drop-off center.
Milk cartons:In NYC, these go with other containers, not paper.
Trash bags:NYC takes container recycling in trash bags; Chicago doesnt.
Separation:L.A., Houston, Phoenix, and Chicago take all residential recycling in one bin.
NYC separates paper from other recyclables.
Ask your office manager or building manager.
