What are the benefits of recycling?

Economic:

• Creates jobs
• Saves money

Environmental:

• Conserves landfill space
• Reduces air, water and land pollution
• Reduces green house gas emissions
• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals
• Conserves energy
• Prevents habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion associated with logging and mining

Social

• Promotes community pride, awareness and cleanliness
• Is an easy way for people to protect and conserve the environment
• Helps sustain the environment for future generations
• Reduces the need for mining and the demand for virgin resources

Can I recycle envelopes with the plastic windows? What about staples?

You'll like the answer to this one! These items are fine to toss into the "Paper" recycling bin. In the recycling process, all paper, even the glossy, is converted to pulp, and all non-natural fibers such as metal will be strained out. So don't waste your time removing staples, spiral bindings, or plastic windows!

What should I do with my laundry detergent bottle?

Rinse it and Recycle it! 

Can I recycle microwave food packaging that is now empty?

Items with lots of food residue should go in the trash, not the recycle (zero-sort) bin. However, a few crumbs in pizza boxes or on napkins are okay to recycle. The plastic "clam shell" take-out containers should be lightly rinsed or wiped. Bottles and cans should be empty; no need to rinse them out.

What type of cardboard can be recycled?

Corrugated cardboard boxes, including those with colored, shiny covers, can be recycled. Corrugated cardboard is the cardboard with a ribbed section sandwiched between two flat sheets. Most items, such as furniture, appliances, tools, and toys, come in corrugated boxes.

end FAQ