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Recycling is a fantastic mode to reduce thriftlessness and help protect our surround . However , not everything we ’ve derive to know is recyclable , actually is . Many common item terminate up in our recycling bin , only to be rejected at processing adroitness . And ultimately some of these items can guide to more waste in landfills .

12 Items You Might Not Realize Aren’t Actually Recyclable

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To check that we ’re doing our part , it ’s important to know what we can and can not reprocess . Here are 12 detail to keep an oculus out for .

Pizza Boxes

Although pizza box are made of cardboard and it seems legitimate they should be recyclable , they may also be traverse in grease , solidified cheese , and puke . During recycling , this matter can not be extracted and may lead to a whole batch of pulp being ruined . Instead , discard greasy , composition board takeaway container in the codswallop or compost at home .

Styrofoam Containers

Styrofoam , often found in takeout food containers , is another detail that most recycling program wo n’t take on . It ’s difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfill . If you may , check for local bead - off programs that accept Styrofoam , but otherwise , it should go in the trash .

Disposable Cups with Wax or Plastic Coatings

their credit card or wax lining make the appendage more complicated . Most recycling quickness are n’t equipped to handle these materials , so they often end up as waste . To avoid mix-up , it ’s best to pitch them in the trash or look for compostable or recyclable option .

Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts are made of expanded polystyrene and therefore ca n’t be recycled . If you receive a passel of mob peanuts in a delivery , rather than send them off to a landfill , take reuse them around the house ; many commercial-grade cargo ships services also will accept sporty packing goober from consumers .

Plastic Wrapand Bubble Wrap

Items like charge plate wrap and bubble wrap are n’t suitable for most recycling bins . Instead , consider reusing them when possible or look for designate fall - off locations that accept fictile film .

Plastic Bags

reckon on the realm credit card bags are n’t recycle and are bang to make great harm to recycling equipment . While a few market storage have taken the route of all doing away with plastic bags , many home still accumulate them . The smart approach for recycle these bag is to recycle them as liners for little trash cans or for picking up after your furred companions .

Toothpaste Tubes

Many toothpaste tube are made from a mix of materials , such as plastic and aluminum , which makes them hard to recycle . gibe the packaging ; most brands recommend throwing them in the trash once they ’re empty .

Rubber Bands

Rubber band are often discarded without a 2d thought , but they are n’t reclaimable . They can entangle in machinery and cause problems at recycling facility . It ’s best to give them in the trash or find a elbow room to reuse them .

Plastic Shower Curtains and Liners

Most plastic shower pall and lining are constructed with polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) . Because of the chemical used in the manufacturing of PVC , these items ca n’t be break off down and recycled . They are , however , good for reuse : Try giving pall a unexampled life as outdoor tablecloth , fall cloths , draftsman liners , or craft provision .

Coffee Pods

Single - use coffee pods , specially those made from charge card or Al , are often thought to be reclaimable . However , many facilities do not accept them due to their sundry materials and potential contamination . If you use them , look for brands that provide recycling programs or swap to a reusablecoffee filter .

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Medical Waste

Needles , plastic syrinx , and prescription container are sort out as biohazards and therefore ca n’t be reuse . adjoin your doctor , apothecary’s shop , or local hospital to acquire about disposition options .

Hardcover Books

Hardcover books can be foxy . While the pages themselves are reusable , the cover is often made of materials that are not accepted in regular recycling streams . Instead of recycling , deal donating old books to libraries or thrift stores .

Do n’t put away Those Old Books : Here Are 14 creditworthy Ways to Get Rid of Them

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pizza boxes

A view of stacks of styrofoam takeout boxes on a restaurant table.

man holding a coffee cup in hand

packing peanuts box

plastic wrap

plastic bags

woman holding toothpaste and toothbrush

rubber bands

Remove BG Save Share Sample View of the washbasin cabinet and bath tub.

coffee pods

first aid kit

Old books row.

woman in messy living room

Woman washing dishes in kitchen sink, closeup view. Cleaning chores.

grandma helping granddaughter fill washing machine