Recycling 101
Disclaimer:
Recycling properly is not easy. It takes consideration and effort.
But we got this.
Syllabus
- What is recyclable?
- How to recycle
- Ways we can help more
What is recyclable?
Quick Guide:
Not Recyclable (bummer)
- plastic bags (seriously, none)
- almost all food wrappers
- pizza boxes (unless free of grease)
- broken glass
- styrofoam (containers/packing stuff)
- paper coffee/drink cups (unless otherwise noted)
- #6 plastics
Things that are definitely not recyclable:
- food
- lightbulbs
- batteries
- dirty napkins/paper towels
- electronics
How to Recycle:
Aluminum Cans
We will be smashing cans with our brand new can crusher to save on the amount of space taken up by them in the bin. Everyone is responsible for crushing their own cans. Please make sure your can is rinsed (if not water) and empty before crushing.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil can be recycled as well if it is clean. If there isn't a ton of gunk on the foil you used it can even be rinsed off and then recycled, but it must be clean. When you recycle tin foil, make sure you ball it up. This helps during sorting at the plant.
Paper & Cardboard
Fold and/or dismantle paper, paper bags and cardboard to save on space. If it is too large for the bin please still dismantle and fold it to make it easier for the person taking the recycling out — or just take it out yourself. If it is a paper bag that contained food and is now soaked with grease or the food it contained (Irazú chip bags), it's no longer recyclable.
Plastic/Glass Bottles & Containers
Plastic or glass drink bottles and food containers should be rinsed as best as possible, though they do not need to be spotless. If it has a plastic cap or lid, rinse it and put it back on before placing the entire thing in the bin.
Plastics
Some plastic containers and other plastic junk will be labeled with a number. Chicago will only recycle plastic #1-5 and #7. It will not recycle #6 plastics, so look out for the number when you aren't sure. You can use this little rhyme to help remember:
Aww shucks, #6 sucks!
Taking It Out
As of recently Chicago has adopted a policy of not accepting plastic bags containing recycled material in the blue recycling bins. This means when you take out the recycling you must empty out the contents of our bin, without the bag — only loose materials.
Ways We Can Help More:
Aluminum Cans
We go through an average of 5 cases of LaCroix every week. That's at least 60 8oz aluminum cans every week. That's about 2 pounds of aluminum, which sadly is only worth about $1.50. If anyone has an ingenious idea for storage, or wants to take on transporting cans, there is a facility in Cicero that will donate and match the value of the cans given.
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags, of all varieties, as well as plastic wraps (think packaging) and bubble wrap will not be recycled if picked up curb-side, and are not supposed to be included in the blue bins. They can be recycled through other programs though. There will be a designated plastic bag bag under the sink which I will volunteer to take to the Jewel at Ashland and Milwaukee where this is a bag deposit. Please put all plastic bags and wrap here so it can be properly recycled.