Local Variations

• While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees waste disposal regulations at the federal level, state and local jurisdictions have the authority to define and implement their own rules about garbage pickup. Check with your city or county sanitation department to learn the details of what types of materials are accepted for recycling,and how to dispose of bulky or heavy items. Some jurisdictions also have laws in place about proper disposal of electronic components, batteries, old car tires, motor oil and other potentially hazardous items.
  
  

Paper Recycling

• The rule of thumb for recycling paper products is that paper without wax, plastic or food residue is generally acceptable for recycling. Most office paper is acceptable, including glossy magazines, junk mail, printer paper and envelopes with plastic windows. Phone books, corrugated cardboard and flat cardboard (like cereal boxes) vary by community. Avoid mixing paper recycling with contaminated paper products like used tissues, dirty paper napkins, paper plates, paper cups or grease-stained take-out food boxes.
  
  

Commingled Recycling

• Commingled recycling refers to recyclable glass, plastic and metal. The most commonly accepted items include unbroken glass bottles, soda cans, food cans and some plastic bottles. Plastic items are marked with a number molded into the plastic. These numbers indicate the type of plastic used to manufacture the item. Different communities accept different categories of plastic for recycling, though categories 1 and 2 are usually accepted for recycling, while category 3 is usually not.
  
  

Non-recyclable Waste

• Garbage that does not fit into the paper or commingled recycling categories is separated for disposal, usually in a landfill or incinerator. When in doubt about whether an item can be recycled, throw it in the garbage, as non-recyclable materials can disrupt the recycling process if they are mixed with recyclables. Uncooked vegetable waste, egg shells and coffee grounds can be mixed with garden waste such as grass clippings to create compost, which you can spread in your lawn or garden to add nutrients to the soil.