Recycling Info
What is recycling?
Recycling is the reprocessing of old materials into new products, with the aims of preventing the waste of potentially useful materials, reducing the consumption of fresh raw materials, reducing energy usage, reducing air (from incineration) and water (from landfilling) pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production. Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management and is the third component of the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" waste hierarchy, though colloquial usage of "recycling" can also include "reuse". 1
"Recyclable materials" or "recyclables" may originate from home, business or industry. They include glass, paper, metal, textiles and plastics. Though analogous, the composting of biodegradable waste—such as food or garden waste—is not typically considered recycling. These materials are either brought to a collection centre or picked-up from the curbside; and sorted, cleaned and reprocessed into new products bound for manufacturing. 1
What is recycleable?
Many different materials can be recycled but each type requires a different technique. Some common recycled materials are:
- Aggregates and concrete
- Batteries
- Biodegradable waste
- Clothing
- Electronics disassembly and reclamation
- Ferrous metals
- Non-ferrous metals
- Glass
- Paper
- Plastic
- Textiles
- Timber
What is not recycleable?
Here are some common items that are not recycleable:
- “Neon” fluorescent or dark-colored paper
- sheets of address labels or stickers
- Kraft or Tyvek envelopes
- paper towels/plates/cups
- pet food/charcoal/fertilizer bags
- waxed paper/cardboard
- frozen food container boxes
- facial tissues/napkins
- wrapping & tissue paper
- carbon paper
- photographs
- Drink pouches/straws
- ceramics
- vases
- dishes
- drinking glasses
- light bulbs
- mirrors
- window or auto glass
- plastic lids/caps
- plastic vitamin or prescription bottles
- plastic motor oil bottles
- plastics #3 - #7 are not accepted
- plastic bags
- plastic cups
- clamshells and “to go” container