Below is ASGCU’s recycling guide. Recycling properly helps ensure that what you put in the recycling bin doesn’t end up in the landfill. While most people mean well when recycling, there are a few common misconceptions about what can and can’t be recycled. When unrecyclable products contaminate recycling, it is much more challenging to resue. Contaminated recycling can result in all the recyclables in a batch being sent to a landfill, resulting in unnecessary waste. Check out this guide if you’re unsure about what items can and can’t be recycled.
Here are a few key points to remember when recycling:
- Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard.
- Keep food and liquid out of your recycling.
- Don’t recycle loose plastic bags or bagged recyclables.
Paper Recycling
Did you know paper makes up nearly 30 percent of waste generated each year? Recycle envelopes, office paper, junk mail, greeting cards, and file folders. Place shredded paper should be put in a paper bag.
Acceptable Recyclables
- Newspaper
- Envelopes
- Junk mail
- Phone books
- Brochures
- Magazines
Cardboard Recycling
Did you know greasy pizza boxes, like the ones from Canyon Pizza Co, are not recyclable? You can, however, recycle newspaper inserts, catalogs, paperback books, phone books, and brochures.
Acceptable Recyclables
- Ream wrappers
- File folders
- Posterboard
- Frozen food boxes
- Cardboard boxes
- Milk cartons
Plastic Recycling
Did you know recycling just ten plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours? Recycle plastics #1 thru #7. Look on the bottom of containers for a number inside the recycling arrows.
Acceptable Recyclables
- Milk jugs (no cartons)
- Water/Soda containers
- Shampoo/Soap/Detergent bottles
Aluminum/Metal Recycling
Did you know recycling just one ton of aluminum cans conserves more than 1,024 gallons of gasoline? Recycle all food and beverage metal cans – steel, tin, bi-metal, and aluminum.
Acceptable Recyclables
- Aluminum beverage cans
- Food cans
- Scrap metal
Glass Recycling
Did you know glass is not recyclable in all areas? Make sure to check with your local team. Recycle clear and colored glass.
Acceptable Recyclables
- Beverage containers
- Glass food jars
Don’t Recycle
It is essential that when recycling, you ensure that your recyclables are empty, clean, and dry.
In addition, you should not recycle these items:
- Bagged Recyclables
- Plastic Bags
- Plastic Film or Wrap
- Cups with Wax or Plastic Coating
- Polystyrene Foam or Plastic
- Tangling Items
- Clothing or Textiles
- Furniture
- Sharp or dangerous items
