Glass materials such as beverage bottles and food jars are recyclable. Recycled glass products can be made into new bottles, jars and construction materials. Your recycling program may request you separate clear glass and colored glass. Non-recyclable glass products include window glass, ceramics, light bulbs and ovenware.
Recycled paper products, such as newspaper, magazines, catalogs and office and notebook paper can be made into new paper products. Recycled newspaper may become new newsprint, insulation or animal bedding. Office and notebook paper is typically re-made into new writing paper. Cardboard can be made into new cardboard, paper and boxes. You should store paper for recycling in bags or tie it up in bundles for collection.
Aluminum cans, foil, pie tins, siding and frames may all be recycled and reused. They may be made into new aluminum cans or other aluminum products and are one of the most valuable recycled products. Steel cans, such as beverage cans, empty aerosol cans and paint cans, may be recycled and used for steel scrap by steel industries. Wash all steel and aluminum containers thoroughly.
Plastics are identified by code on the bottom of their container to determine which plastics are recyclable. Check with your recycling program to see which coded materials are accepted. Almost universally accepted for recycling are plastic soda bottles and plastic milk jugs. Soda bottles are coded with the number 1 and can be remade into items including carpet backing, insulation, other plastic containers and auto parts. Milk jugs may end up as trash cans, flower pots and other plastic food containers.