Recycling Tips

The Deseret News had a few great articles yesterday about recycling in Utah.

According to the newspaper, "Nationwide, in 2007, the United States recycled 24.8 percent of the 254 million tons of trash we threw away. In Utah, we recycled just 2.7 percent of our 2.4 million tons of trash."

But in a poll conducted by the paper, 66 percent of Utahns want more access to recycling!

I found the list of helpful hints for recycling in Utah particularly interesting- I noticed a few things from that list that I am doing improperly. I hate to think that any of my recyclables are going to the landfill because I am ignorant!!(Note: You may want to check your local area's regulations for recycling.)

-Don't bag recycling in trash bags. Sorters assume bags are full of misplaced trash and throw them out.

-Clean pizza boxes can be recycled if the top and bottom are torn apart. Otherwise they will be thrown out. All other cardboard should also be cut or flattened.

-Stickers on recyclable items such as milk jugs can be recycled with the plastic.

-It's best to take the lids off soda bottles because lids and bottles can be made of different kinds of plastic.

-It takes about six weeks for recycled aluminum cans to make it back to the shelves. The average can is made of about 40 percent recycled material.

-Recycle plastic grocery bags by filling one bag with all the others and tying the handles of the outer bag together. Sending the bags one-at-a-time disrupts the recycling machines. Better yet, try reusable grocery bags.

-When trying to buy recycled products, look for brown and gray cardboard rather than white cardboard.

-All paper with ink, crayon or pencil is not considered contaminated and can be processed for recycling. However, any napkins, tissues or paper and cardboard with food on it can't be recycled.

-The only junk mail that cannot be recycled are the false plastic credit cards. Everything else, including envelopes with windows, are acceptable.

-Wire coat hangers can be recycled if they are bundled together.