Recycling Tips: What to Recycle and Why You Should Do It

Most recycling programs accept plastics labeled #1-7, but did you know that more often that not, they will only recycle plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). So the next time you reach for that “eco-friendly” bottle of shampoo, make sure it's made of recyclable materials.

Most of the yogurt cups, plastic cutlery, cosmetic packaging, shipping materials, coffee pods, and to-go containers that you’ve been dutifully placing in your recycling bin end up getting incinerated or sent to the landfill. Until this recycling deficit is addressed, the best option is to phase out your consumption of these plastics.

If you’re in a bind and have to purchase prepackaged goods, favor those that are contained in aluminum and glass. Why? Both are widely accepted and recycled by waste programs. Paper packaging, unfortunately, is often coated in a thin layer of plastic (think disposable coffee cups), so its less recyclable than you might think!

Purchase or make your own lightweight cloth or net bags. In a bind, paper bags are still a better option than plastic ones, but reusables are always best.

Plastic is ubiquitous, and no matter how conscious we are, it will creep into all of our lives at some point. When this happens, don’t beat yourself up too much. Just try to reuse it for as long as you can.

Plastic #1, which is used to produce soda and water bottles, is everywhere. Recycling just 1 lb of it saves an estimated 22.9 kWh of energy and 47.4 lbs of CO2 emissions when compared to producing the same amount with raw materials. 

Many goods are only as recyclable as what they’re in the bin with. Broken glass or spilled sauces? To the landfill they go. And that oily, cheese-encrusted pizza box? Unusable unless you cut the contaminated portion off.