Recyclable vs. Non-recyclable materials

When we started researching what was recyclable and what wasn't, I was in for a few surprises! (I just highlighted a few of my favorites here)  This is a very general list of materials that are recyclable through our program, but please check with your local program to find out the specifics of the program in your area.

Recyclable:
Paper: copy paper, computer paper, magazines, junk mail, envelopes, phone books, newspaper.
Cans: Aluminum beverage cans and steel cans: soup, pet food, spaghetti-0 s :)
Cardboard: corrugated boxes, cereal and food boxes, etc.
Glass: spaghetti sauce bottles, wine bottles, juice bottles, glass jars, cream soda bottles
Plastics: This is a little more complicated so I will break it down by category. Almost all plastics are recyclable. This will be indicated by a triangle of arrows on the bottom with a number inside. The number indicates the type of plastic that the container is made of.  You can find out more specific information by looking up Recyclable Plastics at wikipedia.com, where I gathered this general information.

#1: soda bottles, water bottles, salad dressing, peanut butter, jam

#2: Milk plastic cartons, juice, water bottles, produce bags and plastic grocery bags from the store, shampoo and conditioner bottles, Starbucks cold drink glasses, most cup lids

#3: Juice bottles, PVC piping, plastic wrap used to wrap meat at the grocery store

#4: Most squeezable bottles, butter lids

#5: yogurt containers, butter tubs, throw away plasticware such as Ziploc containers

#6: SURPRISE: polystyrene, which I always thought was styrofoam=bad for environment. Cups from Juice it Up and Chick Fil-A, To-go containers, meat trays from the grocery store

#7: Other, mixed types of plastics such as baby bottles, juice bottles, etc.

Non-Recyclable:

-Plastic or wax covered cardboard = frozen food containers, juice or milk cartons

-foil

-Waxed paper

-Soiled paper plates

-Most lids i.e. from water bottles, milk and juice containers, squeezable bottles, etc (My sister-in-law mentioned a place that will accept all kinds of lids and non-recyclable plastics, so I will find out more about that!)

-Light bulbs, window glass, pyrex, ceramics, mirrors

-Tissue paper

I hope this gives a few more ideas about small things that we can do to make big changes!  Please share any other tips that you have on how you "reuse, recycle, or reduce" and I will publish the ideas in the next post!  For now, we are busy enjoying a visit from Damion's dad who lives in Napa, CA, so we will be posting more soon! Have a blessed week.  Julie