4 Tips to Recycle with Confidence in 2019

From cooking to shopping and crafting, our favorite activities often result in empty food, beverage, and other product containers every day. Once containers are empty, do you know which bin they belong in? Trash or recycle? For many of us, it can become a case of wish-cycling if we don’t find the recycling symbol on the container. It’s time to take the doubt out of your recycling habits. These tips will give you the confidence to recycle correctly, reduce your waste, and spread knowledge on sustainable living.

Tip 1: Confirm your local recycling facility guidelines.

Twice a year, as you review your bills and upcoming events, set a calendar invite to check on the latest recycling guidelines in your area. Visit your recycling facility website or give them a call to confirm what recycled materials are accepted curbside and how to treat them. For example, we recommend not rinsing your food and beverage cartons, keeping the cap on, pushing the straw back into the juice box, and tossing them in the bin with the rest of your recyclables. Confirm this approach works for your area by checking in with your local recycling facility using our locator here. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask if you can schedule a visit to the facility to learn where your recyclables end up and what happens to them next.

Tip 2: Coordinate recycling at home.

Whether you live alone or with roommates, establish a process for recycling. Do you have a recycling bin in the kitchen, the bathroom, and in your bedroom? Recyclable comes in all different types of products such as shampoo bottles, body lotion, coconut water, coffee, wine, and even your favorite face lotion. Place a recycling bin in at least two of the rooms that you spend the most time in to make sure recyclables make it to the right bin.

Tip 3: Exercise your purchasing power.

Research alternatives for non-recyclable products to reduce your waste. You might already have a reusable bottle or grocery bags, but have you considered carrying your own reusable flatware or produce bags? Stash them in your everyday bag so they are easy to incorporate into your routines. Every product that is reused or tossed into a recycling bin keeps landfills from growing. Here are a few ideas on eco-friendly alternatives to products you use everyday to get your started.

Tip 4: Lead by example and encourage others to recycle their products.

No need to lecture folks on how to recycle better, that’s why we’re here! Next time you’re shopping with a friend or family member, share your goals to purchase more products in recyclable packaging such foods and beverages in cartons (think milk, juice, broth, soup, coconut water, and more). Lead by example! You can also join our Carton Champions Facebook group and invite your friends to do the same to become part of a network of people dedicated to increasing recycling in their own life and for their community.

With these four tips in mind, you’ll be confident on your next trip to the recycling bin, take steps towards reducing waste, and contribute to maintaining your community recycling programs for years to come. Your local recycling facility will thank you for your service (and so will we!)!

Continue your journey to increase recycling by liking our Facebook page. We’ll help you stay up to date on recycling best practices and advocate for keeping our planet free of waste!