How to Sort Your Recycling Properly
Not sure what goes in which bin? Here are the habits that make the biggest difference, and how to find the exact rules for where you live.
Recycling rules depend on where you live
Every town or city decides what its recycling bin accepts, based on what its local sorting facility can process. Something recyclable in one city can contaminate a whole truckload in another. Search for “[your town] recycling guide” or check your waste collector's app or website, then use the general habits below.
SORTSort it right
Six habits that make the biggest difference.
Most curbside programmes accept:
- Paper and cardboard: boxes (flattened), mail, newspapers, cereal boxes.
- Metal cans: food and drink cans, clean foil.
- Plastic bottles and jugs: drink bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles.
- Glass bottles and jars (in many areas).
Food and liquid ruin paper and cardboard in the same bin. Empty containers, give them a quick rinse, and let them dry. They don't need to be spotless.
Plastic bags, wrap and film tangle in sorting machines and shut them down. Never put recycling in a bag, and never put bags in the bin. Many supermarkets have drop-off points for clean plastic bags and film.
- Never in the bin: hoses, cables, string, clothes and Christmas lights tangle machinery.
- Batteries and electronics can start fires in trucks and sorting centres. Take them to a drop-off point; Call2Recycle lists battery drop-off locations, and many electronics stores take old devices.
- Greasy pizza boxes, coffee cups, and nappies: usually not recyclable curbside.
More and more places collect food waste or compost separately. If yours does, keep a small caddy in the kitchen. If not, a home compost bin handles fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells.
“Wish-cycling” (hoping something is recyclable) causes more harm than throwing a doubtful item in the rubbish. Look it up with your local guide or Earth911's recycling search, which finds where to recycle almost anything.
Search it with Earth911 or your local council's “what goes where” tool. If you still can't tell, put it in the rubbish.
FAQCommon questions
Do the numbers on plastics mean they're recyclable?
No. The number inside the triangle identifies the type of plastic, not whether your area recycles it. Many areas accept only #1 and #2 bottles and jugs, but check locally.
Should lids be on or off?
It varies. Many places now want lids back on plastic bottles; others want them off. Check your local guide.
Is it OK if recycling is a bit dirty?
A quick rinse is enough. Greasy or food-filled items can contaminate others, so leave those out.
What do I do with old phones, laptops and batteries?
Never put them in household bins. Use electronics recycling, retailer take-back schemes or battery drop-off points.