Recycling Plastic, Bottles, Paper

This is basic stuff but important. Even though I have been recycling for years I wanted to be sure that I was recycling everything I could. I Googled my neighborhood home owners association (HOA) and on their site they had the recycling guidelines under services. I was pleased to find out that I could recycle more than cans and bottles. I could also recycle paper and plastic. I always thought you could only recycle plastic with a 1 or 2 on it but it turns out that in my neighborhood we can recycle all plastic with #1 thru #5 and #7. You cannot recycle #6 or Styrofoam. I found the following recyclable containers in my refrigerator:

• Strawberry container
• Blueberry container
• Peanut butter
• Rotisserie chicken container
• All glass jars
• All cans
• All soda bottles
• All plastic condiment containers

I also found out that the yogurt I was buying did not have a recyclable container and I switched to a brand that was recyclable http://www.nancysyogurt.com.

A couple of tips:
• They say you have to use the blue bucket they provide but we use a plastic bucket and they haven’t said anything yet. (knock on wood)
• Rinse the recyclable items before putting them in – this does take some time especially the peanut butter containers but it makes you feel like you went that extra mile after you do it.
• Throw away the tops of bottles and containers. They do not have the same 1 or 2 on the bottom. But check for the number before you throw them away – some may surprise you.
• Crush cans and plastic containers for more room. Its ok – they will still take them.
• Broken glass will not be accepted so be careful throwing that jelly jar in the box.
• Keep paper to the side. They will not recycle paper that is wet and if you put it in with the cans and bottles it could get wet.
• Do not put the cans in plastic bags. They will not pick up anything in plastic bags.
• Don’t forget to Google your town, community or HOA to see what your recyclable rules are.