Recycling and The Big Game
So you’ve splurged on the new big screen. The pizza is ordered. Dips are made. Drinks are cold. You are ready for your Big Game party. You spend your Sunday night eating, drinking and cheering on your favorite football team. Then, just like that, it’s over. Your last guest heads out and you are left with clean up duties. But how do you know what belongs in the trash and what belongs in the recycle bin? Avoid a double doink and follow these Big Game Recycling Guidelines.
Big Game Recycling By Type
Electronics
You’ve impressed your guests with your new TV, but what do you do with the old one? In 2012 landfills banned electronics, like TV’s, so garbage companies cannot take them with your regular trash. Instead, there is a better, more responsible option. Consider scheduling a special e-waste pick-up. This specialized program takes electronics separately from other material and sends it to electronic recyclers to ensure hazardous materials stay out of landfills and good material is reused and recycled.
Plastics
Sorting facilities love empty and dry plastic tubs, jugs and bottles. Go ahead and recycle your water and pop bottles. Be sure to secure the lids back on once containers are empty. Film plastics, like plastic grocery bags, Ziploc bags, bread bags and saran wrap are a different story. These should never be placed in your curbside recycle bin. Instead, bring them back to local stores and place them in the receptacle often found at the front of the store for recycling.
No party is complete without plastic solo cups but there’s flag on the field. These cups, as well as Styrofoam cups, should always be placed in the garbage. They are not part of your recycling program.
Glass
Empty glass bottles have a way of piling up after a party. As long as they are empty and dry, throw your green, brown, clear, etc, bottles in your recycling bin. Avoid placing glass cups, plates or bowls in your bin. They belong in the garbage can.
Metal Cans
Aluminum and tin cans are both accepted in curbside recycling programs. These items should be rinsed out before they are placed in curbside bin.
Paper and Cardboard
Sorting facilities will take many types of paper including newspaper, junk mail, and clean cardboard. However, take a good look at those paper plates and pizza boxes. In most cases, food residue and grease end up on sticking to these products, making them non-recyclable. Dirty or greasy cardboard and paper should always be thrown in the garbage and not the recycle bin.
Takeout Containers
Whether they are Styrofoam or plastic, most takeout containers do not belong in your recycling bin. Go ahead and punt those to the garbage can.
No matter who ends up taking home the trophy, you’ll be the MVP by following these basic recycling guidelines. For more information about protecting your planet for future generations, check out our Basic Recycling is Better Recycling page.
