Hobbies And Interests
Researching the Facilities
Not all recycling facilities are organized in the same way. At one extreme, you get one bin for almost everything or perhaps two, one for recyclable containers and one for organic waste. At the other end, you̵7;ll need to sort everything -- types of plastic, types of metal, colors of glass and sorts of paper. Check how your recycling center or collection service wants the items -- there̵7;s no point sorting more than you have to. Many areas have a recycling guide online or you can find instructions on the recycling receptacles. Try making notes if they̵7;re complicated.
Preparing the Recyclables
Separate parts of a different material, such as metal lids from glass jars, and wash everything that is sticky or contains food residues. For example, you don̵7;t really need to wash out water bottles but you definitely should clean soda bottles and food cans. Otherwise they̵7;ll attract all sorts of pests and start smelling bad. Wash them as you would dishes -- in warm water with a squirt of dish soap -- and leave them to dry. If you have a lot of recyclables and a long way to take them, you̵7;ll save space if you squash all plastic, cardboard and metal items. Squash plastics after you̵7;ve sorted them -- in case you need to look for a code on the side.
Sorting the Stuff
Put to one side anything you wish to reuse yourself or a family member wants. For instance, you might want to save a few plastic tubs to store food or grow plants in and some newspapers to line a pet̵7;s cage. Sort the rest according to how the recycling facility wants them. Plastics have codes on them in the form of a raised triangle with a numeral inside. Cans might also state what they are made from on the label or you can use a magnet ̵1; the cheap steel used for food cans usually sticks, while aluminum does not. Use separate bags or boxes for each sort of recyclable.
Dealing with Tricky Items
Standard recycling facilities don̵7;t take everything. For items such as old electrical goods, large pieces of metal, batteries, plastic bags and textiles, you̵7;ll probably need to make a special trip somewhere else. The good news is that you might get a bit of money, especially for things like scrap metal, fabrics and (usable) electronics. Look online to see what facilities are available in your town, ask in a library or check with somebody who knows a lot about your area, perhaps a neighbor or teacher.