As a business owner, you want to do what you reasonably can to protect the environment—including recycling reusable materials so they don’t end up at the dump on garbage collection day. However, as well-intentioned as your actions might be, some of the items people commonly send to the recycling center aren’t able to be reprocessed. The guide below looks at some of these products and what can be done instead.

What Shouldn’t Go Into the Recycling Bin

1. Certain Paper Products

Most people at your company probably don’t think twice about putting their frozen food containers into recycling. However, the heavy gloss used on them often stops them from being broken down and their material reused. If that worker then uses a paper plate to eat their food on, the residue left on it can also stop it from being accepted. The same holds true of the paper towel used to clean up a drink spill.

Therefore, encourage employees to bring a plate from home to use for their lunch and make sure that dish towels, rather than paper towels, are provided for clean-up. When printing flyers for your business, avoid brightly dyed paper, which can only be recycled with difficulty, if at all.

2. Styrofoam®

You might have noticed several companies switching away from Styrofoam packing peanuts. While there are several reasons for this, one is that Styrofoam, which is made of polystyrene, is non-biodegradable. Furthermore, several organizations have identified it as a potential carcinogen. To do your part for the planet, consider alternative packing products—such as those made from wheat or cornstarch.

3. Certain Plastics

There is a triangular symbol on various plastic products; the number that it encircles—ranging from 1 to 7—is meant to tell you what kind of plastic it is so you can determine whether it is recyclable. For example, plastics labeled 3 are made of polyvinyl chloride, which contains toxic elements; it is not reusable. Items in the fourth category, Low-Density Polyethylene, are usually not either—these include plastic grocery and sandwich bags. Those in the fifth category may or may not be accepted by the local recycling center, so make sure to ask your garbage collection company ahead of time.

While it may seem hard to cut down on these non-recyclable plastics as each serve their own use, look for non-plastic materials that accomplish the same job. Request that employees bring in mugs rather than providing them with plastic or Styrofoam cups. You can also invite them into the conversation by asking how their departments might reduce their plastic use a little at a time.

In need of garbage collection and recycling pickup? Turn to Industrial Services of Lincoln, NE. Serving the community for over 100 years, they owe their longevity to the high-quality customer service they provide. Whether you require one time or recurring assistance, they will accommodate your business’s schedule. Set an appointment for garbage collection by calling (402) 267-3581 today.