5 Shocking Items You Can't Recycle

These days, more and more people are trying to do the right thing by recycling, which not only helps the earth, but it allows useful material to be reused in the creation of new products. In most states, officials make it convenient to recycle by providing recycling bins, centers and even drink deposits from certain bottles, cans and other containers. Unfortunately, there are some items that aren't recyclable for specific reasons, and here is a list and explanation:

Recycling no-no- # 1 - Pizza boxes - all cardboard can be recycled, right?Wrong! The card board that most pizza boxes are constructed of isn't the problem, but the grease and other food particles is. Since many items are recycled using heat and water, oil and other remnants of food just don't work well during this process.

Recycling no-no # 2 - Wire hangers - if you've got a closet full of wire hangers that you'd like to get rid of, you might want to donate them to the local dry cleaners or thrift store. Even contacting a scrap metal dealer and selling the hangers is a good option as well. Your average recycling center just isn't equipped to deal with wire.

Recycling no-no # 3 - Styrofoam - since this popular packaging product is used so frequently, many people try to think of "green" ways to get rid of it, so of course recycling automatically comes to mind. Unfortunately, since Styrofoam is constructed using petroleum, which is highly flammable, this item can't be recycled.

Recycling no-no # 4 - Juice boxes - not all juice boxes can be recycled, although some can, surprisingly, because if the juice boxes that you're trying to recycle aren't specially processed for recycling, it could cause big problems during the recycling process. The packaging should state whether or not the juice boxes are recyclable.

Recycling no-no # 5 - Paper towels/napkins - since napkins often contain remnants of food like pizza boxes, these items usually aren't accepted at your local recycler. Some recycling centers are stricter than others depending on the area's rules, so contacting them ahead of time may save you time.

So if you're interested in going green and helping the earth by recycling, there is no reason to allow this list to deter you. If you're not sure what can and can't be recycled where you live, simply contact your local recycling center and a list of allowable items can be provided for you. What may be allowed at one recycling center may not be allowed at another, but most centers have very similar rules.

Reference

Ecosalon - http://ecosalon.com/10-surprising-things-you-cant-recycle/