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Frequently Asked Questions about RecyclingAfter several years of maintaining a list of "Resources for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling" Andy has received many questions about what can be recycled and what cannot. The following information will answer most of these questions. Please note that different municipalities have different recycling policies, but we have found this information to be true in most cases. The following items should not be placed in curbside recycling:
For more information, see the following
three categories of recycling below.
Paper RecyclingThe average American uses nearly 700 pounds
of paper a year. Paper products
Paperback books can be placed in paper recycling. Hardback books must have their bindings removed before they can be placed in paper recycling. Plastic RecyclingNote that since April 2002, San Francisco now accepts all plastic bottles (any container where the neck is smaller than the rest of the bottle) for recycling. Also, any plastic, including tubs and lids, with a 2, 4, or 5 can be recycled regardless of their shape. San Francisco even accepts plastic cups, plates, and utensils for recycling (source). Some people think that any plastic container with the "chasing arrows" recycle symbol can be recycled. This is not the case. The chasing arrow contains a number that helps to identify the type of plastic it is. For more information, see these articles about plastics and plastic recycling (1), (2) from the Berkeley Ecology Center. Glass RecyclingThe following items should not be placed in glass recycling, because they don't melt at the same temperature as bottles.
In some cities, window glass is collected and used in fiberglass, but we are not aware of this happening in the Bay Area. CompostingMany cities now have commercial composting facilities. This means that residents can place a lot more than yard waste in their green bins. Items that can also be composted in these facilities include food-soiled paper, tissues, paper towels, pizza boxes, food scraps, used coffee filters, clearly marked compostible plastics (more info), QTIPS with no plastic parts, etc. This is a great way to save a huge amount of matter from landfill, so please be aware of composting policies in your area. (Source) |
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