Recycling and organics recycling
Learn more about what you should or should not put in your curbside recycling, curbside or drop-off organics recycling, and backyard compost bin. This is a chance to ask those questions that came up since your intro training!
- Tuesday, November 17 from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 20 from noon to 1 p.m.
Please RSVP on the Facebook events for November 17 or November 20 or by emailing your liaison.
To join, click the Microsoft Teams link during the workshop times. Download the Microsoft Teams app for the best experience, otherwise you can join on the web or by phone at 612-263-6117, conference ID: 384 567 487#.
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If you requested a compost bin, please remember to pick it up from the Hennepin County drop-off facility in Brooklyn Park by November 28. An email with instructions was sent out by liaisons. |
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When people talk about the 3Rs, “recycle” is usually the first thing to come to mind. Recycling has many benefits, including contributing an estimated $8.5 billion dollars to Minnesota’s economy each year! Still, it’s a form of managing waste, and remember you joined the Zero Waste Challenge. Although recycling doesn’t reduce the waste you produce, doing it the right way builds a good foundation for your other zero waste actions.
Cut back on wish-cycling
Today you can throw recyclables together in your cart, and a materials recovery facility does the sorting for you. While this system is convenient, it is not perfect.
You may have heard a few reasons at your intro training: wrong materials can slow the sorting process, damage equipment, and lower the value of other recyclables if they aren’t caught and removed.
So, it’s worth taking the time to make sure you are only recycling what you should be and leaving out the rest. Review the recycling 101 section of the Zero Waste Guide and the recycling guide to brush up on what to recycle.
Here is a little more detail about a few commonly confused items and the reasons we do or do not recycle them.
Plastic caps
Plastic bottle caps (made out of polypropylene/PP/#5 plastic) will be recycled as long as they’re left ON the bottles. If they are loose, their small size will cause them to fall through screens at the materials recovery facility and become trash.
Bottles (made out of polyethylene/PETE/#1 plastic) are sent to a processor and shredded. When you leave the cap on, it gets through the sorting machines with the bottle. The plastics are later separated by density in a sink-float process.
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Metal caps
Just like plastic caps, metal caps are too small to be sorted at recycling facilities. Metal bottle caps will be recycled if they’re put into a steel can and the top is squeezed shut. This way, they will travel through the sorting process together.
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Aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is tricky - it can burn up in the aluminum melting process because it is so thin. Collect clean foil in a condensed ball and recycle it when it’s bigger than a golf ball. Aluminum pans (such as for pies or from catering) that are clean and free of food can be recycled, too.
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Plastic film and bags
Many types of film plastic, a.k.a. thin, stretchy plastics, are recyclable through drop-off bins located at many grocery stores and department stores. These plastics may be labeled LDPE #4 or HDPE #2 and are commonly recognized as grocery bags, produce bags, shopping bags, bread bags, Ziploc™ bags, and the wrap around products like paper towels and toilet paper. Make sure film is clean, dry, and without food residue or stickers. The WRAP Recycling website has more information.
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Electronic media
Electronic media like DVDs and computer discs may be accepted for recycling at Hennepin County drop-off facilities or a store like Best Buy, although it depends on what it is. Check out our Green Disposal Guide for specifics!
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Batteries
Certain batteries contain hazardous materials and pose a fire hazard, so it's important to know how to properly dispose of batteries. When disposing of batteries, tape the positive and negative ends to avoid corrosion or sparks.
Button batteries, Lithium ion batteries, and other rechargeable batteries contain toxic metals and pose a threat if improperly disposed. These batteries should not be placed in your trash or recycling at home. These batteries should be brought to a Hennepin County drop-off facility or hazardous waste collection events. Call2Recycle.org lists additional drop-off sites at retail locations for rechargeable batteries. |
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Alkaline batteries (single-use AA, AAA, etc.) do not contain hazardous materials and can be placed in the trash. You can also make your life simpler by collecting all batteries for drop-off. |
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Some devices have batteries that are difficult to remove, such as cell phones, laptops, digital watches, and vape pens/e-cig devices. Bring the entire device to a Hennepin County drop-off facility. |
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Remember to bookmark these sites!
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