Dos and don'ts
Becky Hammad
Those recycling icons at the bottom of bottles, cans, boxes, containers and other used goods tend to get a little confusing when it comes to what to recycle and how. Use the SheKnows.com Recycle Chart to determine what materials are safe to recycle and which should be trashed.
 | RECYCLE | DO NOT RECYCLE |
 |  |
 | | | | | -
aluminum cans -
tin, steel and bi-metal cans -
aerosol cans, empty and without pressure -
metal lids from jars, cans and bottles -
metal food trays | | | | | | -
aluminum foil -
pie pans -
scrap metal -
foil juice bags -
coat hangers -
propane tanks | |
 | | | | | - plastic bags
- plastic wrap
- plastic bottle tops
- plastic cups
- packing peanuts
- motor oil or pool chemical containers
- styrofoam
- clear food containers
- plastic egg boxes
- photos or film
- plastic toys
- medical supplies
- large plastic items
- pesticides and herbicides
- garden plastics and flower pots
- food storage and microwave containers
- solvent, paint and adhesive containers
- yogurt and margarine tubs
IMPORTANT NOTE: Plastic bags get caught in the equipment used for recycling, so never recycle plastic bags. Instead, recycle bags at your local grocery stores.
| |
 | | | | - milk cartons
- juice containers
- newspaper and inserts
- magazines
- junk mail
- office paper
- telephone books and catalogs
- cardboard (flattened)
- cartonboard such as cereal boxes and 6-pack cartons
- brown paper bags
- egg cartons paperboard only
- shredded paper
- frozen food packaging
- soft cover books
| | | | | - waxy cardboard or paper ice cream containers
- pizza boxes
- towel or tissue rolls
- rubber bands
- plastic wrap from newspapers
- photos
- remove plastic and foil from cereal boxes
- blue print paper
- cardboard saturated with poultry or meat juices
- packing material
- bar soap or detergent bottles
| |
 | | | | | -
glass food and beverage containers (don't need to remove labels) -
wine bottles -
clear, green or amber in color glass jars (don't need to remove labels) -
glass food and beverage containers (don't need to remove labels) -
clear, green or amber in color glass jars (don't need to remove labels) | | | | | - window glass or mirrors
- incandescent or fluorescent bulbs
- dishware or ceramics
| |
