(BPT) - Do you want to recycle more but are afraid of getting it wrong? You're not alone. According to the 2024 WM Recycling Report, many Americans want to recycle and want to find more ways to do so, but 45% don't because they're not confident about what can and can't be recycled.
This isn't entirely surprising given that there's a lack of education around recycling. Many items that weren't recyclable 10 years ago can now be collected and turned into other products. If you want to increase your recycling and recycle correctly, here's what you need to know.
Plastic. You may be familiar with plastic resin codes - the chasing arrows triangle with a number inside a shape. However, this code is to help recyclers sort plastics, not a sign that an item can be recycled. If you're not sure that a plastic item can be recycled, take a moment to look for recycling instructions on the item and check your recycling hauler's website.
Cartons. If you were taught that food and beverage cartons aren't recyclable, it's time to update your knowledge. Indeed, these items weren't always widely recyclable, but thanks to the work of the Carton Council of North America that's all changed. Since its formation in 2009, the council has helped increase household carton recycling access by 240%.
Today, cartons like those from Tetra Pak are accepted in the majority of household recycling programs in the U.S. and are recycled into paper products and even green building materials. All you have to do is empty the carton, keep the cap on or push the straw in, then drop the carton in your recycling bin.
Not sure if your community can recycle cartons? You can enter your address into this handy recycling locator tool to find out. And, new communities are adding carton recycling to their household collection programs. For example, just this year, Austin, Texas, began accepting food and beverage cartons in the curbside program for most residents. Want to know more about how cartons are recycled? Visit Tetra Pak's carton recycling page to learn more.
Organic waste. Organic waste like food scraps from your plate, spoiled veggies, peels, rinds, egg shells and more can be composted, keeping food out of landfills. While your area may not have previously offered organic waste recycling, the trend is growing in the U.S., with many cities offering curbside composting bins. Check with your local municipality to see if organic waste recycling is available where you live.
Single-stream versus dual-stream. Dual-stream recycling used to be the norm, but many communities are transitioning to single-stream recycling. Now, you can toss plastic, glass, paper, cartons, cardboard and other recyclables into the same bin and sorting technologies at waste centers will separate them by category.
That said, single-stream recycling does increase the risk of contamination. You can do your part to make single-stream recycling work and reduce contamination by quickly rinsing your non-paper recyclables before placing them in the bin.
Electronics. In the digital age, recycling electronics is critical to conserving valuable materials and resources like metals, plastics and glass. It may have been difficult to recycle electronics like phones, televisions and computers in the past, but thanks to sorting technologies and new laws, recycling electronics has never been easier. Check in your area or visit the Environmental Protection Agency's electronics donation and recycling page for more information on what to do with your old electronics.
Recycling has changed and will continue to in the years to come. By staying up to date on recycling programs and laws in your area, you can keep recyclables out of landfills and make a huge difference.
