We all know recycling is a great way to help preserve the Earth for future generations.  There are, however, a number of items you’re probably recycling and shouldn’t be.  Join us again in a couple weeks and we’ll share the top items you’re probably NOT recycling but could be! This article is all about what you should stop recycling.

Pizza Boxes- There is way too much grease and food waste for them to be recycled.  In fact, recycling a pizza box often ends up contaminating the entire recycling bin so that it all has to be tossed!!
Another Option– Get pizza from a local restaurant and bring your own container to bring it home in.

Plastic lids- This is true in most municipalities but some are beginning to take them.  Check your local recycling program but most likely they’re out.
Another option- Ditch the single use bottles in favor of reusable ones.  Those of us at Birds & Bees all love our Lifefactory water bottles!

Food containers with more than 10% food waste still left-  The percentage is hard to gauge but just like the pizza box, food containers with a lot of waste still in them will ruin the whole batch.  Rinse those containers out well.
Another option– Bring your own container when you eat out to bring leftovers home in and try to purchase food in fill-your-own bulk containers at the store.

Wet Paper (Yes, even if it has dried already)- When paper gets wet it damages the fibers and they can no longer be recycled.
Another option–  Use any paper that has gotten wet for a craft project to make your own paper.  Check out this Tutorial from Mother Earth News

Wrapping paper-  This is important for the upcoming Holidays.  The majority of wrapping paper is NOT recyclable.  The kinds that are will have the recycling logo on it.
Another Option– Wrap your gifts with fabric that can be used again and again.

TetraPacks/ Juice Boxes/ Milk Cartons- These usually require a special recycling program which most municipalities don’t have.
Another Option– Many local producers are beginning to offer milk and orange juice in glass jugs.  You can bring them back to the store for a discount and the company will pick them up to sterilize, refill and use again!

Wire Hangers- Again, most municipalities can’t handle them.
Another Option– Take them back to the dry cleaner or donate them to a local homeless shelter to use for their clothing.

Neon paper- Bright paper is difficult to recycle as it throws off the color in other paper products.  Paper mills won’t take the bright colors because it requires too much sorting.
Another Option– Use pastel colors and avoid the bright colors all together, the neon paper could also be used in the homemade paper along with any wet paper.

Napkins, Paper Towels, Paper Plates- You guessed it, just like the pizza boxes- they’re too contaminated with food to recycle.
Another Option– Stick to reusables!

Straws- These are not made of recycleable plastic and are one of the largest landfill contributors of all time
Another Option– Glass straws can be washed again and again, are easy to transport and come in fun colors and decorations!  Check out Glass Dharma’s selection!   

Want more information on Recycling and tips on how to recycle difficult-to-recycle items? Check out the Recycling Guide from Earth 911 where you can browse local recycling options.  TerraCycle also recycles a number of items (like baby food pouches) through their brigade program at local schools and other locations.

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The post Green Living Tip: Top items you should STOP recycling appeared first on Birds & Bees Teas.

We all know recycling is a great way to help preserve the Earth for future generations.  There are, however, a number of items you’re probably recycling and shouldn’t be.  Join us again in a couple weeks and we’ll share the top items you’re probably NOT recycling but could be! This article is all about what you should stop recycling.

Pizza Boxes- There is way too much grease and food waste for them to be recycled.  In fact, recycling a pizza box often ends up contaminating the entire recycling bin so that it all has to be tossed!!
Another Option– Get pizza from a local restaurant and bring your own container to bring it home in.

Plastic lids- This is true in most municipalities but some are beginning to take them.  Check your local recycling program but most likely they’re out.
Another option- Ditch the single use bottles in favor of reusable ones.  Those of us at Birds & Bees all love our Lifefactory water bottles!

Food containers with more than 10% food waste still left-  The percentage is hard to gauge but just like the pizza box, food containers with a lot of waste still in them will ruin the whole batch.  Rinse those containers out well.
Another option– Bring your own container when you eat out to bring leftovers home in and try to purchase food in fill-your-own bulk containers at the store.

Wet Paper (Yes, even if it has dried already)- When paper gets wet it damages the fibers and they can no longer be recycled.
Another option–  Use any paper that has gotten wet for a craft project to make your own paper.  Check out this Tutorial from Mother Earth News

Wrapping paper-  This is important for the upcoming Holidays.  The majority of wrapping paper is NOT recyclable.  The kinds that are will have the recycling logo on it.
Another Option– Wrap your gifts with fabric that can be used again and again.

TetraPacks/ Juice Boxes/ Milk Cartons- These usually require a special recycling program which most municipalities don’t have.
Another Option– Many local producers are beginning to offer milk and orange juice in glass jugs.  You can bring them back to the store for a discount and the company will pick them up to sterilize, refill and use again!

Wire Hangers- Again, most municipalities can’t handle them.
Another Option– Take them back to the dry cleaner or donate them to a local homeless shelter to use for their clothing.

Neon paper- Bright paper is difficult to recycle as it throws off the color in other paper products.  Paper mills won’t take the bright colors because it requires too much sorting.
Another Option– Use pastel colors and avoid the bright colors all together, the neon paper could also be used in the homemade paper along with any wet paper.

Napkins, Paper Towels, Paper Plates- You guessed it, just like the pizza boxes- they’re too contaminated with food to recycle.
Another Option– Stick to reusables!

Straws- These are not made of recycleable plastic and are one of the largest landfill contributors of all time
Another Option– Glass straws can be washed again and again, are easy to transport and come in fun colors and decorations!  Check out Glass Dharma’s selection!   

Want more information on Recycling and tips on how to recycle difficult-to-recycle items? Check out the Recycling Guide from Earth 911 where you can browse local recycling options.  TerraCycle also recycles a number of items (like baby food pouches) through their brigade program at local schools and other locations.

Pin this post!

The post Green Living Tip: Top items you should STOP recycling appeared first on Birds & Bees Teas.