Can I recycle plastic bags? Can I recycle plastic shipping packaging? Can I recycle plastic wrap?
Plastic bags and wraps DO NOT go in curbside recycling bins.
Plastic bags and wraps DO go to participating retail store recycling bins.
But why can't it go into the curbside cart? The short answer is that they gum up the works. Stretchy plastic bags and wraps often get stuck in the sorting equipment. Then, workers must shut down the machinery to cut and yank out the contamination. This can be dangerous, and it's a waste of time, money, and material.
Can I put my recyclables in a plastic bag and toss it all into my curbside bin?
NO!
Like other plastic bags and wraps, that plastic trash bag holding your recyclables gums up the works (see above). All recyclables must go into your curbside bin loose (i.e., not in a bag).
Can I put my recyclables in a paper bag and toss it all into my curbside bin?
NO!
Even though the paper bag can be recycled too, restraining recyclable items prevents them from being sorted properly. They must be loose to be identified in the sorting process.
If you do collect your recyclables in a plastic or paper bag, dump the recyclables out of the bag into your curbside bin and reuse the bag if you can!
Foil paper, ribbons, bows, and bags...Ooh my! NO, NO, NO!
One of the most common mistakes is tossing garbage bags full of wrapping paper into the recycle bin. While most wrapping paper is recyclable, placing it all in a bag removes it from the stream. Remember, everything that goes into your recycle bin MUST BE LOOSE - NO BAGS!
Think twice when purchasing wrapping paper. In order to qualify for recycling, it must be 100% paper. So, the rolls that sparkle, or have shiny foil mixed in are NOT eligible for the recycle bin.
We also need to watch out for the ribbon and bows that comes along with the wrapping paper, as those are tanglers. They get caught up in the mechanics, bog down the system, and can shut down the entire sorting line.
All paper has the best chance of being sorted properly if it is folded, not crumpled into a ball.
So, when recycling wrapping paper, remember:
- No foil or sparkly paper in recycling
- No ribbons, string, or bows in recycling
- No bags - loose material only in recycling
- Flatten, don't crumble the paper
Boxes, boxes, boxes...Everything we buy, or order, seems to be packaged in boxes!
The good news is that cardboard and paper boxes can be recycled. While you can leave tape and labels on the box, it is important that boxes are CLEAN, DRY....AND FLATTENED!
It’s important to keep your cardboard boxes clean and dry because contaminated or wet items will affect the integrity of the material and may end up thrown away since saturated cardboard is difficult to recycle.
Why do we flatten boxes and not other items?
In single stream recycling, the burden of mechanically sorting accurately is on the materials recovery facility (MRF) and is determined by the composition of each material. Containers should be kept in their original shape for the best chance of proper mechanical sorting. For example, if a container is in an unfamiliar shape, like a crushed can or water bottle, then it may be mistaken as something different, sorted incorrectly, and contaminate other materials.
Cardboard & corrugated boxes not only take up valuable space when not flattened, but they too are identified by their shape and the only consistent shape for boxes of all kinds is FLAT. So, if you care enough to recycle those boxes in the first place, then take the time to flatten them and keep them dry by closing the lid on your cart.
This is a very common question, and a good one to ask! After all, shredded paper is still paper, and paper can be recycled - right?
Let's look at it this way...Have you ever thrown confetti or done an art project with glitter? If so, then you have experienced first-hand how it gets everywhere, into everything, and you find it hiding away months later!
In a Materials Recovery Facility, shredded paper acts much the same way. The tiny shreds can't be captured in the sorting process, they cling to other objects and flutter around the facility. This causes contamination of other materials. In addition, the small shreddings become embedded in machinery and clog up the sorting equipment.
So, shred at home if needed, but avoid contamination in the recycle stream. Be sure to put shredded paper into the trash, NOT the recycle cart!
Expired fire extinguishers cannot be put in garbage or recycling carts.
Depending on the type of fire extinguisher, most portable fire extinguishers contain powdered CO2 and other chemicals. Here are the best disposal options:
- Some local fire departments accept fire extinguishers. Call your local firehouse to get details.
- If your local fire department is not accepting drop-offs, you can take the extinguisher to a hazardous waste disposal facility. This option is only for residents of Illinois – not businesses, schools, or institutions.
Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N North Branch St
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 744-3060
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Dr
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6095
3. Contact a company that sells and manages fire extinguishers for a drop-off option. Call for details.
Henrichsen's Fire & Safety Equipment Co.
563 North Wolf Road
Wheeling, Illinois 60090
(847) 459-7877
U.S. Fire & Safety Equipment Company
2412 Millennium Dr
Elgin, IL 60124
(773) 763-4422