Recycling and Disposal on the Fourth of July

Let’s Celebrate!

Let the Fourth of July festivities begin! May friends, family, cookouts and fireworks fill your day with lots of laughter, good food, and fun times.  After a day full of activity, remember these important cleanup tips.

Beverage Disposal

Empty beer and wine bottles, cans, and plastic water bottles are all 100% recyclable.  Have a recycling bin available so guests remember to recycle their empties.

Remember that plastic solo cups are not recyclable.  They are made from number 6 plastic, or polystyrene, which is not accepted in your curbside program.  If you choose to have solo cups at your cookout, keep a marker available so guests can write their names on the cups and not waste them.  Consider creating a sign next to the garbage and recycling cans to remind people that solo cups must be thrown in the garbage when they are done with them.

Forks, Plates, and More

Once paper plates are covered with pulled pork and potato salad, they are no longer recyclable.  When the food sits on the plate, it soils the paper fibers, making it impossible to remove. It will contaminate an entire load of recyclable materials when mixed in.  Remember to throw used paper plates and napkins in the garbage.  Most plastic silverware is also made of number 6 plastic; therefore, it must be thrown in the garbage.  Don’t forget, composting is a great alternative to throwing food scraps in the garbage.

Firework Disposal

It never fails. Each year there is at least one dud firework in the pack.  Unused, misfired, or spent fireworks have special disposal needs. You’ll need to completely submerge any fireworks in a bucket of water and let them completely soak overnight.  After they’ve soaked, double wrap the fireworks in plastic bags to prevent them from drying out.  Soaked and wrapped fireworks can be placed in the garbage.  If you find yourself with left over, unused fireworks, store them in a cool, dry place, off of electrical appliances and out of reach from children.

Charcoal from the Grill

When you’re done serving up burgers and dogs on the grill, let the ash cool before you dispose of it.  Charcoal burns at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so  let it sit for a full 48 hours before disposing of it.  Once it’s cooled, wrap ash up in aluminum foil to prevent it from mixing with other trash and then toss it in the garbage.