Recycle Trash

Garbage & Recycling_ Facts You Should Know

Yes, Earth Day has already passed. But this does not mean that you can forget about the protection of the environment. You need to constantly care of the Earth – our common house. Any person can participate in the process of saving the planet. For this, it is not necessary to do anything supernatural. First of all, you can give more attention to trash recycling. In New York, there are lots of rules of this kindly good deed, and it’s not easy to follow them. Below, you can see the main rules and answers to the questions about trash recycling.

How to sort the garbage?

New Yorkers must separate garbage into paper or cardboard and into metal, glass, plastic, or cardboard. After sorting the garbage, it must be placed in transparent plastic bags or containers for recycling. Let us consider in more detail what types of waste are included in each of the categories.

Paper and cardboard:

  • newspapers, magazines, catalogs;
  • receipts;
  • wrapping paper;
  • envelopes;
  • paperback books (without hardcover books);
  • paper bags;
  • cardboard boxes, including pizza boxes;
  • boxes from eggs;
  • sleeves from paper towels.

This category does not include:

  • food-contaminated paper;
  • hardcover books;
  • bubble wrap;
  • photographs;
  • paper napkins;
  • paper towels;
  • waxed paper or plastic-coated paper.

Metal, glass, plastic or cardboard:

  • metal furniture (chairs, cabinets for storage of documents);
  • keys;
  • foil;
  • cans of drinks, cans, spray paint cans;
  • pots and pans;
  • wire or plastic hangers;
  • plastic bottles;
  • plastic cutlery;
  • plastic toys;
  • plastic wicker baskets;
  • glass bottles and jars;
  • cardboard packages from milk, juice or other liquids.

This category does not include:

  • batteries;
  • plastic bags;
  • soft tubes and bags (for example, packages from Capri Sun juice), foam.

FAQs about trash recycling

Do I need to rinse the containers?

Yes, you should rinse any plastic food containers before sending them for recycling.

Do I need to remove the bottle caps before recycling them?

No, you can leave the lids on the bottles, but rinse the bottles with water before recycling.

How to dispose of batteries?

Household batteries can simply be disposed of in normal garbage, but they are not very safe for the environment. Therefore, you’d better throw them in specially designated collection points or bring them to their recycling event. Rechargeable batteries must be returned to where they were purchased. Batteries should never be disposed of in recycling containers.

What to do with household appliances and electronics?

Small appliances such as a toaster or a hair dryer can be recycled as plastic and metal. However, all batteries must be removed before being sent for recycling. Before you get rid of larger appliances, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, you should contact the sanitary office to remove freon. This can be done online or by calling 311. Then the device can be left at the garbage so that the representatives of the sanitary Department can take it away. Electronics such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, power tools, electric shavers and cameras cannot be disposed of or recycled. They should be returned to sellers who are required to accept them. They can also be delivered to the sanitary Department or to the places of domestic waste disposal.

What to do with harmful household chemicals?

Household chemicals, including pesticides, caustic cleaners, paints, automotive fluids and medicines, must be delivered to the sanitary authority for safe waste disposal activities or to the disposal site of special household waste.

What to do with light bulbs?

Compact fluorescent lamps must be returned to the seller, sent to the sanitary Department or to the places of household waste disposal. Other light bulbs can be thrown in the trash. It is recommended to put them in two packages before discarding them.

Did you know that some cosmetics encourage customers to return containers?

Cosmetics manufacturers like MAC and Kiehl’s will provide you with free products in exchange for a certain number of empty containers. All empty metal, glass or plastic cosmetic containers should be sent for recycling. Unlike plastic bags. Sellers who provide plastic bags for purchases are required to take them back as they cannot be recycled.