How to Prepare Your Recycling

In Illinois, there are various materials that can be recycled. Here are some of the common items that you can recycle:

• Paper Products: Paper products such as mail, office paper, newspapers, inserts, magazines, catalogs, paperback books, and cardboard rolls should be clean and free of contaminants. This means removing any food residue, plastic wrappers, or other non-paper materials that might be attached.

• Cardboard: In Illinois, you can recycle various types of cardboard. This includes cardboard shipping boxes, shoe boxes and gift boxes. 

  • Corrugated Cardboard is the thick, ridged material used for shipping boxes, cardboard tubes, and dividers. It is the most recycled type of cardboard.

  • Paperboard or Chipboard includes cereal boxes, greeting cards, and shoeboxes. It is a thinner and lighter type of cardboard.

  • Brown Paper Bags, Toilet Paper Rolls, and Paper Towel Rolls: These can also be recycled.

  • Egg Cartons and Pizza Boxes: These can be recycled if they are clean and free of food residue.

• Plastic: This includes plastic bottles and jugs from the laundry room and bathroom, as well juice and liquid drink containers.  Plastic bags should be recycled at your local grocery store and not in recycle bins.

  • Clean the plastic: Rinse out any food or liquid residue from plastic containers to avoid contamination.

  • Remove non-plastic components: Take off any caps, labels, or other non-plastic parts that might be attached to the plastic items.

  • Flatten bottles and containers: This helps save space in your recycling bin and makes it easier for recycling facilities to process the plastic.

  • Separate plastics by type: If required by your local recycling facility, separate plastics by their resin identification code (RIC), which is usually found on the bottom of the product.

• Glass: Glass jars and bottles can be recycled, but they should be clean and free of food residue.

  • Rinse out glass containers: Make sure your glass bottles, jars, and containers are free of most food and label residue.

  • Remove non-glass components: Take off any caps, labels, or other non-glass parts that might be attached to the glass items.

  • Separate glass by color: If required by your local recycling facility, separate glass into clear, green, or amber categories.

• Metal: Aluminum cans, steel cans, and used aluminum foil are recyclable.

  • Separate Different Types of Metal: Not all metals are recycled the same way. Separate metals into categories such as ferrous metals (contain iron, like steel and cast iron) and non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel).

  • Remove Non-Metal Components: Many metal items contain plastic, rubber, or other non-metallic materials that must be removed before recycling. For example, take out any plastic parts or electronic components from appliances, remove insulation from copper and aluminum wires, and separate wood, glass, and fabric from metal frames or parts.

  • Clean Excess Contaminants: While metal doesn’t need to be spotless, removing excessive dirt, oil, or chemical residues can make the recycling process more efficient. Rinsing off food residue from aluminum cans and wiping down greasy metal parts can prevent contamination and improve recyclability.

  • Bundle or Cut Down Large Items: Large metal pieces can be cumbersome for recycling centers to process. Cut long metal pieces into smaller sections, flatten aluminum cans or sheet metal, and bundle wires or tubing together with zip ties or twine.

  • Check for Hazardous Materials: Some metal-containing items, like aerosol cans, paint cans, or batteries, may require special handling due to hazardous substances. Ensure these items are empty, depressurized, or disposed of properly according to local recycling regulations.

• Electronics: (a.k.a. E-Waste) E-waste includes mobile phones, electronic devices, and other items that should not be placed in your curbside recycling bin. E-waste is considered hazardous waste because it often contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and flame retardants. Improper disposal of e-waste can pose significant risks to human health and the environment.

  
  

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to unwanted or non-functional electronic devices. This includes items such as old computers, printers, batteries, smartphones, home appliances, and other electronic gadgets. Due to rapid technological advancements, the lifespan of electronics is getting shorter, leading to an increase in e-waste production.

• Separate Different Types of Metal: Not all metals are recycled the same way. Separate metals into categories such as ferrous metals (contain iron, like steel and cast iron) and non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel).

• Remove Non-Metal Components: Many metal items contain plastic, rubber, or other non-metallic materials that must be removed before recycling. For example, take out any plastic parts or electronic components from appliances, remove insulation from copper and aluminum wires, and separate wood, glass, and fabric from metal frames or parts.

• Clean Excess Contaminants: While metal doesn’t need to be spotless, removing excessive dirt, oil, or chemical residues can make the recycling process more efficient. Rinsing off food residue from aluminum cans and wiping down greasy metal parts can prevent contamination and improve recyclability.

• Bundle or Cut Down Large Items: Large metal pieces can be cumbersome for recycling centers to process. Cut long metal pieces into smaller sections, flatten aluminum cans or sheet metal, and bundle wires or tubing together with zip ties or twine.

  
  

For more information you may go to epa.illinois.gov, or contact your local waste management provider.