Going Green: Trash Talk
Recycling can slash your household garbage and save resources. But what goes in your bin? Here's how to handle the most common items.
Glass
Do recycle unbroken food and berage containers, such as applesauce jars, ketchup bottles, wine and beer bottles.
Don't Recycle baking dishes, ceramics, windows mirrors, and vases; they're made differently than containers and can contaminate. Donate household goods, and dispose of broken glass and incandescent bulbs separately.
Paper
Do recycle newspapers, magazines, cardboard and mixed papers such as corrugated boxes, cereal boxes, junk mail (including enveloes with plastic windows), catalogs, telephone books, and stapled paper.
Don't recycle food-stained papers, tissues, stickers, wet paper products, and those containing plastic, wax or metal foil coatings.
Metal
Do recycle aluminum and steel (which includes tin) in the form of beverage cans, disposable aluminum pans, and empty paint and aerosol cans.
Don't recycle other metals curbside. Instead, donate to charity usable items such as flatware, can openers and tools.
Plastic
Look for the stamped number inside the triangular "chasing arrows" recycling logo generally found on the bottom of most plastic products. The District of Columbia accepts plastics #1 & #2 which include many beverage bottles, milk jugs, dish and laundry detergent bottles and peanut butter jars.
Don't recycle plastics #3 - #7. That includes shrink wrap, squeezable bottles, dry-cleaning bags, and polystyrene containers. Donate usable items such as toys and return packing peanuts to the shipping store for reuse. Toss the rest, including spray nozzles, pumps and container lids.