Recycling is an excellent habit that contributes to a healthier environment. However, in your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint, it’s important to be mindful of what you take to the recycling center since not all items are permissible. Here are a few items that people often think are recyclable.

Which Items Are Not Recyclable?

1. Plastic Bags

Soft plastic can’t be put into the recycle bin along with your bottles and cans. This is largely because the material is so tenuous that it can easily get caught in the recycling machinery or break down improperly. However, you can always reuse bags yourself by keeping a stash in the trunk for your shopping trips. Many retailers also have collection containers on-site for some types of bags.

2. Pizza Boxes

It’s perfectly acceptable to recycle flattened cardboard, provided that it’s completely clean and free of debris. That’s usually not the case with pizza boxes, which typically have grease soaked into the base. That can interfere with the breakdown process and reduce the quality of the new product. Otherwise, put the box into a composting bin instead. You can also remove the nongreasy top portion and recycle that.

3. Paper Products

Paper recycling is common and highly encouraged. However, not all types are welcome at the recycling center, including wet paper, which is far too weak to repurpose, and tissue paper, which contains minuscule fibers that are difficult for machines to break down effectively. Dyed construction paper is also off-limits because the colors can bleed onto other papers and ruin their integrity.

4. Plastic Foam

It’s noble to recycle any type of container, whether it holds the eggs that you purchase at the grocery store or the takeout you picked up for dinner. However, plastic foam packaging is surprisingly not welcome at recycling centers. That’s because the material is derived from petroleum and chemicals, which are harmful to the environment. It doesn’t decompose, either, which means it can’t be repurposed.

Are you ready to renew your commitment to the environment? Freedom From Waste makes it easy. Based in Farmington, MO, the locally owned recycling center offers reliable waste management services throughout the area, and they can assist you in properly getting rid of the items that you no longer use or need. Visit them online to find out more about how they can help, or call (573) 747-0550 to schedule garbage collection services today.