What Can I Recycle?
Questions and Answers to your most often asked questions about recycling.
We've collected the best of Live Green's articles on recycling in one location for your convenience. Thanks to Amanda Pratt of Rumpke for the facts!
Can I recycle a paper drinking glass that has only been filled with water? No. Currently paper cups, plates, and napkins are not recyclable because of food and liquid contaminates.
Can recycle aluminum foil if it’s been rinsed off well?
No. Aluminum foil cannot be recycled.
Can I recycle plastic gift cards and credit cards? No.
Can I recycle old photos?
No, photo paper is not recyclable.
Can cereal boxes and frozen food boxes be recycled?
Yes! They are considered paperboard.
Can I recycle paperboard containers like OJ cartons or Pringles cans which appear to be lines with something shiny and silver?
No. These items contain a wax-like coating that makes them non recyclable.
Can sticky papers like post-it notes be recycled?
Yes
Can restroom and kitchen paper towels that have been used to dry hands and counters be recycled?
No. There is bio residue and grease (similar to the case with pizza boxes) left behind that contaminates the paper so it cannot be recycled.
Can I recycle shiny papers like receipts, movie tickets, and coupons?
Yes! These are all considered mixed paper and are indeed recyclable. Even if you choose to shred your receipts, you can recycle the paper shreds.
Can I recycle paperback books?
No. Rumpke cannot accept these, but you can donate them to the public library or take them to a Half Price Books store for resale.
Can wrapping paper be recycled if you get all the tape off?
Rumpke’s manufacturers will only allow a very small percentage of wrapping paper in a bale, and if there is too much it will not be accepted. At this time, Rumpke advises against adding wrapping paper to your recycling. However, back in the day, my grandma collected wrapping paper at holidays, trimmed the edges, ironed it on the lowest possible heat, and reused it. I hear it also makes great book covers for text books.
Are dishes, mirrors and window glasses accepted?
The single stream sorting technology employed to sort recyclables cannot sort these items. Also, the type of glass used to make these items is not useful to the manufacturers using the glass Rumpke Recycling processes.
Can I recycle small metallic things like staples, paper clips, and wire hangers?
No. Staples still need to go in the garbage with your paper clips. Remember to reuse those paper clips as many times as you possibly can before trashing them. I always like to give my mutilated paperclips a final goodbye by sculpting them into mini-modern art. Wire hangers from the dry cleaner can be returned to your dry cleaner and reused. There are also many clever ideas to turn wire hangers into things to use around the house like funky book shelves.
Can bubble envelopes for mailing be recycled?
No. The paper outside cannot be separated from the plastic bubble wrap inside and the mixture is contaminated.
Can I recycle Tyvek-type mailing envelopes?
Yes.
What about stickers or sheets of address labels?
No. Sticky labels cannot be recycled because there is too much adhesive involved. When I recieve an excess of address labels in the mail from organizations, I cut off my address and give the sticker squares with pictures or designs on them to my nieces.
When I recycle my cardboard and boxes, do I need to get all the labels off?
If you are recycling corrugated cardboard, you do not need to remove labels. They will disintegrate in the recycling process.
Can I recycle junk mail and envelopes with see through windows?
Yes! All junk mail can be recycled including envelopes with windows.
Can I recycle catalogs and magazines? What about the staples?
Yes! All catalogs and magazines can be recycled, even with staples in the binding.
Can I recycle a phone book?
Yes! Drop these in your Rumpke bins and they will be recycled.
Do I need to remove the labels from my cans and jars before they go into the recycling bin?
Labels do not require removal, they disintegrate in the recycling process.
What about the plastic rings left behind on the neck of my 2-liter bottle when I throw away the cap?
Lids should be removed from plastic bottles, but the rings can stay on, they are so small they are melted away in the recycling process.
Can I recycle a pizza box?
No. Pizza boxes cannot be recycled because the grease contaminates the cardboard making it unusable in the manufacturing process. Unfortunately you need to direct your pizza boxes to the garbage can. Better yet, take the box out of the equation and eat in at a restaurant for your next pizza craving.
I no longer use paper grocery bags. How can I store my loose paper recyclables and shreds so they don’t blow away or make a mess?
You can use a plastic garbage bag, but please label it as “recyclable paper shreds inside”. This will help the Rumpke team identify the contents as recycling and ensure the paper shreds are removed.
What if my recycling doesn’t fit in my bin? Even if I crunch and break down the materials, my recycle bin is overflowing! What can I do?
You can contact Rumpke for an additional bin or user another plastic container. Mark any additional plastic containers with signage indicating that it is recycling and Rumpke will collect it.
What happens to my recycling if I put the wrong things in the bin like plastic bags and pizza boxes?
Rumpke’s team will remove items placed in your bin by mistake at the recycling center. This is one of the initial steps of the sorting process.
