Home and Garden Expo Guide Home & Garden Expo Guide 2020 | Page 32

HOW TO RECYCLE UNWANTED
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
BY CHAD MURPHY, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER BRAZOS VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Your home may be filled with
items that are no longer useful but
can potentially be manufactured
into new products. Not only will
getting rid of household items
declutter your home, it also will
help reduce waste sent to landfills,
conserve natural resources,
and create jobs in recycling and
manufacturing industries in the
United States. Before you toss out
your unwanted household items,
consider recycling the following:
Glass: Bottles, jars and non-food glass
containers such as perfume or face
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Home & Garden Expo Guide 2020
creams are recyclable. It is important
to clean and dry items before recycling
them. Leftover particles or liquids can
contaminate other recyclables. Corks
should be removed from bottles and can
be composted. Larger glass items such as
vases, glass drinking cups, window glass,
and glass cookware cannot be recycled.
Lightbulbs are also not recyclable.
Paper: Beyond documents, many
types of paper can be recycled. Mixed
paper is a common household item and
can include discarded mail, magazines,
and cardboard. Your home office may
contain recyclable content such as
letterhead, files, phone books, copier
paper, or envelopes. Shredded paper is
recyclable. Do not recycle paper that is
wet, greasy, or soiled. Tainted paper is
unsuitable for reuse.
Large Appliances: Even if a household
item does not fit snug in a curbside
pickup container it still may be acceptable
for recycling. Large household appliances
such as stoves, washing machines,
refrigerators, or dishwashers are eligible
for recycling. Appliances contain metal
that can be reclaimed. You may be
eligible for a rebate from a local retailer
or utility company if you turn in your old
appliance for a new energy-efficient unit.
Your local waste management or public
works department may have curbside
pick-up available. Local scrap metal
recyclers may be interested in your old
appliances as well.
Hazardous Materials: Toxic materials
should be carefully disposed of to prevent
harm to people or the environment.
Older materials found in your home,
INSITE February 2020