Did You Know These Items Can Be Recycled?
Recycle More in 2024
Happy February! My New Year’s Resolution is to try to help us all recycle more in 2024! I wanted to focus this month on items that can be recycled that you may not know about.
Paper envelopes with plastic windows
You may recycle paper envelopes with plastic windows. Bag or bundle them along with other acceptable mixed paper and place in your curbside bin. These may also be recycled along with mixed paper at any of our recycling drop off locations in the mixed paper compartment.
Corrugated cardboard boxes with packing tape attached
Yes, you sure may recycle corrugated cardboard boxes with packing tape attached. Always flatten corrugated cardboard before recycling.
Fluorescent light tubes
This answer applies to fluorescent tubes from households only. If you wish to recycle fluorescent tubes from households, you can bring them to our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event this April (look for information on this event soon). We will take them off of your hands free of charge. Fluorescent tubes may also be properly disposed. Place your fluorescent tubes next to your garbage can (in plain sight for the hauler) for collection. Insert the fluorescent tubes in the packaging from your replacement tubes if you have it.
Plastic bags, film and wrap
Local grocery stores accept many types of plastic bags, film and wrap for recycling. Acceptable items include but are not limited to: newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags, food storage bags, plastic cereal box liners, bubble wrap, air pillows and product wrap (used on paper towels, diapers, bathroom tissue, water bottles, etc.). Many grocery stores have a sign above their plastic bag/film recycling bin to explain proper film recycling. It is important to note that all plastic bags, film and wrap must be clean and dry before recycling.
Spiral cans
We do accept “spiral cans” in our recycling program. Spiral cans have a thin cardboard body with a metal bottom and/or a metal rim on the top. Examples of spiral cans include: coffee cans, lemonade mix cans, PringlesTM potato chip cans, peanut cans, etc. These cans may be placed in your curbside recycling bin or brought to any of our recycling drop off locations and placed in the compartment labeled for “metal cans.” It is helpful to us if the plastic lids are removed.
Shampoo bottles and pill bottles
I am asked a lot about recycling shampoo bottles and pill bottles. Both are a yes. Our general rule of thumb at the Authority is all plastic bottles, jugs and jars can be recycled regardless of the number that is inside of the recycling area on said item. If you would consider your plastic items a bottle, jug or jar we will accept it for recycling. We just ask that items are rinsed before recycling.
If you have a recycling question, send me an e-mail at aschirf@centrecountyrecycles.org. I will answer you and maybe your question will be featured in a future column.
Thank you for recycling more in 2024!
For more information, visit centrecountyrecycles.org.