While recycling does require drop off locations and industries that are willing to use the materials collected for recycling, it begins at home. Unlike charity, where we are told not to let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, recycling is an area where homeowners and small business proprietors are well advised to know what is happening to their contributions.
One of the first steps in determining where your recycling needs to go and how to prepare it for processing is to consider the types of recyclables your home or business might create. Here is a chart of some possible options for common household or small business waste:
| Type of Recyclable | Drop off options | Security
Confidentiality Concerns |
Reuse? | Reduce? | Recycle? |
| Paper | Local Recycling Center | Paper with names or addresses, graded school papers, IEPs, business plans or any papers with copyright. | See PBA column. Can be used in art projects, such as papier mache | Use ebooks, tablets or electronic submission of forms, school papers and similar items. | Yes. |
| Plastic film | Department stores, local recycling center | Remove receipts and any other personal items before recycling. | Use for dog-walking, litter collection, substitute for purchased bag liners | Reusable canvas or denim shopping bags.
Use poop scooper and pail. |
yes |
| Cardboard | Recycling center | Labels, addresses, manufacturer names. Varied. | Sometimes. | Use reusable plastic storage tubs for moving and storing items. | yes |
| Tin cans | Recycling plant – some will pay for these | Empty and rinse well to avoid odors. Plant will request name and address if paying for the metal. | Some selective craft projects or camping tools. And at the factory level. | Purchase goods in reusable containers. Store home grown produce in glass jars. | Yes. |
| Type of Recyclable | Drop off options | Security | Reuse | Reduce | Recycle |
| Aluminum | Recycling Plant – some will pay for these | Will need to sign a statement that includes name and address. | Only for selected craft project or at the factory level. | Purchase food in reusable glass containers or buy fresh. | Can be remade at the factory level into many things. Can be used in arts and crafts projects. |
| Copper | Recycling plant – some will pay for this | Because of high level of theft at from construction sites and vacant homes, be prepared to present ID and to verify source of metal. | Various craft items, including jewelry and art items. Definitely reusable at the factory level. | Use PVC or flexible pipe for water. | Yes, any scrap wiring or old plumbing. |
| Cloth | Second hand clothing banks, milling plants, paper mills | Empty pockets, remove personal labels before recycling. | Clothing banks, friends and relatives, younger siblings | Purchase well-made garments that can be worn on multiple occasions. Purchase clothing from second hand emporiums. | Yes, to paper mills and similar establishments. Depends upon type of fabric. Make quilts, smaller clothing, rugs or cleaning cloths. |
| Food | Composting centers, dated but usable food can go to food banks | Sort according to state of usability | No. | Purchase only what you need. If stockpiling for emergencies, keep rotated. | Only as compost. |
| Type of Recyclable | Drop off options | Security | Reuse | Reduce | Recycle |
| Yard Waste | City collection, yard waste centers | Do not mix yard waste from treated lawns with untreated materials | no | Create low maintenance landscaping options. Use onsite composting | As compost, wood chips, mulch |
| Electronics – cell phones, tablets, computers, televisions and more. | Look for recycling centers that provide electronic and appliance recycling | Use a strong electromagnate to completely erase any digital information or get hard drives professionally wiped before recycling – particularly if the drive has been used for confidential material. | Limited recycling options. Requires specialized recycling centers. See recent scandals about e recycling. | Repair and upgrade old computers. If they will no longer sustain particular applications, downgrade their use to situations that require less computing power. | Yes, but do it responsibly. Make sure that your recycler has a solid plan for these items. |
| Appliances | Specialized recycling centers, training schools (call first), metal recyclers. Refrigerators and freezers need to go to a center that can handle hazardous waste. | Remove doors from old refrigerators and freezers to prevent accidents. | Very limited. | Purchase sturdy appliances with an extended warranty. Repair rather than replace, when possible. Exception is replacing older models with energy-efficient models. | Yes, but do so responsibly. |
If your location has curbside pick-up, decision-making is reduced. However, if you have only a simple trash service, homeowners and renters will have to be proactive with locating places and ways to reuse, recycle and reduce home waste. Small business owners also have similar problems. It is, however, worth your time to work toward making your “carbon footprint” smaller.
With the new year well behind us, and spring bursting out all over in the northern hemisphere, it is an opportune moment to make good on those resolutions made in January. Support local businesses that are using and selling recycled products. Sort your household or business waste and recycle as much of it as possible.