It is no secret that every person creates trash every day. In fact, the average person generates over four pounds of waste every single day. Considering this fact, it is important to invest in recycling so our world doesn’t become clogged with garbage. However, not all of our recycling practices are as good for the environment as we think they are. Here are some surprising things you should toss in the trash instead of your recycling bins.
Pizza boxes
We all know that cardboard can be recycled, so why shouldn’t we recycle pizza boxes? To get an idea as to why, think of a pizza slice. Ever notice all that grease on the bottom of your pie? That grease seeps into pizza boxes and will hinder the cardboard from being recycled properly into other goods. Cardboard is often made into paper, and this oil will cause the fiber to gain spots and holes, rendering it useless.
Wet paper
Newspaper get caught outside in the rain? Head right to the garbage instead of the recycling bin as the wet paper — much like greasy cardboard boxes — prevents the paper from being reused. Wet paper fibers are shorter than dry, and this makes them less valuable to paper recyclers as they are almost useless.
Juice Boxes
Unless they are specifically made to be recycled, the plastic coating on these little boxes makes them unusable. But the straws can go into the recycling bin!
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a petroleum product, meaning it is highly flammable and therefore poses a threat to many recycling centers. Instead of tossing your coffee cups or takeout containers into the bin, think of a creative way you can reuse the containers in your home so they get at least a couple uses.
Paper towel
Again, food contamination makes paper napkins and paper towels unfit to be reused.
Dyed paper
Paper products that are heavily dyed, such as cards or construction paper, cannot be used by recycling plants because the colors can contaminate their stock. Think of it as a red sock getting into your whites in the washing. Softer, pastel colors are fine, however.
It is important to keep up with your recycling habits; just make sure to follow the right protocols! Mother Nature will thank you.
