The Rules Of Single Stream Recycling NYC Program
The rules of recycling often change, and they vary from place to place. What exactly are New York’s rules for recycling, and how can you easily become a friend of the environment by following them? Let’s take a closer look.
What Can Go in the Recycling Bin?
Once you know what you can place in a recycling bin, it becomes easier to sort out the items that don’t belong. The following are items you can (and should recycle).
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Metal
You can recycle almost any type of metal, including cans, aluminum foil, metal pots, tools, etc.
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Glass Bottles and Jars
Sturdy glass containers such as bottles and jars belong in the recycling bin.
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Rigid Plastic
Rigid plastic includes thick plastics that do not bend easily. Water bottles, sturdy food containers, plastic cutlery, etc. are all acceptable forms of rigid plastic.
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Paper
As long as the paper is intact, you can recycle regular paper, newspapers, magazines, paperback books, receipts, junk mail, wrapping paper, etc.
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Cardboard
Unsoiled cardboard boxes (large and small) should be placed with recycling.
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Cartons
Don’t forget about your egg, milk, and juice cartons!
What Cannot Go in the Recycling Bin?
Pretty much everybody has absentmindedly placed something in the recycling bin that wasn’t supposed to go in there. While it isn’t necessarily the end of the world when that happens, wrong items do add up and cause extra work for those who take care of recycling. Avoid placing the following items in the recycling (or anything else that isn’t listed above).
- Napkins or Paper Towels
- Hardcover Books
- Electronics
- Food Disposal
- Non-Reusable Glass (such as lightbulbs)
- Plastic Food Coverings
- Batteries
- CDs (or DVDs)
- Cords and Cables
- Lighters
- Wrappers
- Razors
- Foam
- Plastic Bags
- Books
Additional Rules of Recycling to Keep in Mind
How else can you be a friend to the environment? We are so glad you asked! In addition to recycling the proper materials, keep the following green tips in mind.
1. Always rinse out jars, bottles, cans, etc. before placing in the recycling bin.
While grime and residue do not necessarily disqualify an item from being accepted for recycling, they can make the job of the recycling team more difficult. Food and other substances tend to crust to jars and cans over time, making it difficult to remove. Additionally, leftover food residue causes foul odors and makes recycling a little unpleasant. It is a sign of courtesy and respect to rinse or wash your jars, bottles, and cans before recycling.
2. Buy reusable bottles and containers to avoid excess waste.
Recycling is great but even better than throwing bottles into your recycling bin is buying reusable. This cuts back on the demand for plastic and reduces the strain on landfills. You can also buy reusable containers for food storage instead of using plastic baggies.
3. You can recycle certain items on your own.
Some items cannot be recycled in a bin, but they can be recycled by you. For instance, food peelings (bananas, onions, carrots, etc.) make great natural fertilizers. Leftover greywater (bathwater or sink water) can be reused in gardens.
4. Some grocery stores reuse plastic bags if you return them.
Although you cannot place plastic bags in your recycling bin, some grocery stores have drop-off stations where you can return unused bags. They then sanitize and recycle the bags on their own.
Who Are We, and How Can We Help?
Royal Waste possesses the knowledge, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment to get any size job done right. We are committed to reducing waste through our recycling and composting programs. Our breadth of dependable services, rapid response time, and commitment to problem-solving are unmatched. You’ll find our staff eager to provide the quality, reliable, and flexible waste management your business requires. Call us today.
