Packaging/Shipping/Mailing Materials :
1. Styrofoam peanuts are NOT recyclable in most areas, but you may return them to mailing stores, such as the post office, UPS, etc. Or, find a “peanut reuser” by visiting http://www.loosefillpackaging.com.
2. Bubble-wrapped envelopes are not recyclable. Opt for the padded with insulation/lint type, instead.
3. Plain paper envelopes and those with plastic windows may be added to your regular paper recycling.
4. Goldenrod (like the type seen in offices for mailing documents) are NOT recyclable. The paper is too heavily saturated with dye, as is fluorescent or dark colored paper.
5. Wrapping paper is usually accepted with other paper recycling. Try to remove the tape first, as the gum hinders the recycling process.
Plastic Bottle Caps :
These are NOT recyclable. The plastic is of a different type than that used for the actual bottle, and it damages the melting process when they are mixed in.
Take-out Food Containers/Plastic Flatware :
Most of these are NOT recyclable, mainly due to food remnants contaminating the recycling process. This goes for the paper ones (like Chinese food containers), as well as the plastic and styrofoam ones. In addition, currently there is no program for recycling plastic flatware or utensils in the US.
Sneakers :
1. Nike has a Reuse-A-Shoe Program that accepts old sneakers of any brand and recycles them into sports’ courts. There is the option of mailing the old sneaks to their recycling center, or dropping them off at a Nike store or participating retailer.
http://www.letmeplay.com/reusableshoe
2. If the shoes are still usable, donate to needy athletes!
http://www.oneworldrunning.com
Shower Curtains/Liners : Mostly NOT recyclable, due to the PVC they are made of. Stereos/VCRs/Electronics : 1. For a list of Stereo/VCR recyclers, visit
2. For a list of other ways to handle electronic waste :
http://www.greencitizen.com or http://www.freegeek.com.
3. Make note that actual videotapes are not accepted at local facilities. Send them to ACT, http://www.actrecycling.org, to be cleaned up and reused.
4. Bring old televisions to Office Depot to be recycled.
Pizza Boxes :
These can be included in your regular recycling pick-up, but you must rip off all cheese or greasy areas. Food residue can contaminate and ruin an entire batch of paper when included with the recycling process.
Phone Books :
Visit www.yellowpages.com/recycle
Printer Cartridges : These are actually NOT recyclable, and take a very long time to break down. Your best bet is taking them to Staples or Office Depot, and getting them refilled, or returning them for a few dollars off your next ink purchase. Sponges :
Another standard household item that is NOT recyclable. Opt for using natural sponges made from vegetable cellulose, as they are biodegradable.
Writing Instruments :
Those great 10 packs of Bic pens we all used to get at the beginning of the school year? Yeah. NOT recyclable. Choose refillable pencils (save the wood for the trees!), biodegradable pens (http://www.grassrootsstore.com) or pens with refillable cartridges.
Yogurt Cups :
For the most part, recycling facilities are NOT able to recycle yogurt cups as they are made of a special plastic.
Plastic Storage Baggies/Zip-locks :
If your local facility will accept other plastic bags, they will accept clean sandwich/storage baggies as well. For the zippered type, just cut the zipper portion off first, as that is made of a different type of plastic.
Sites to visit :
http://www.recyclingcenters.org
http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org
http://www.grassrootsstore.com
http://www.playitagainsports.com
http://www.thestarfishproject.com
http://www.epspackaging.org/info.html
http://www.yellowpages.com/recycle
http://www.letmeplay.com/reuseashoe
Many thanks to Real Simple Magazine for bringing much of this information into light.
the correct address for Free Geek is freegeek.org
There awesome!
Posted by: Matt | October 19, 2008 at 09:57 PM