Why can't I recycle...
Plastic bags, shrink-wrap, cellophane? These materials get tangled in the single-stream separating equipment.
Styrofoam, other polystyrenes? There is a market overseas for recycled Styrofoam, but not currently in the US.
Wrapping paper? There’s not much fiber content in wrapping paper, so there’s not anything to recycle—it just dissolves.
Metal coat hangers? They (like plastic bags) get tangled in the equipment so can’t be recycled through single-stream recycling.
Unwashed food containers? As food decays during the recycling process, the stinky odor becomes part of the batch, and the whole batch will be rejected by the end-user.
Acceptable Items for Recycling:
PLASTIC
Prescription and non-prescription medicine bottles (remove labels for privacy)
Plastic bottles and bottle caps
Plastic takeout and microwavable containers (rinsed)
Straws, cups, plastic cutlery (rinsed)
Plastic flower pots (rinsed)
METAL
Aluminum foil (clean)
Latex paint cans (as long as paint residue is completely dried)
Metal cans (rinsed)
PAPER
Magazines, catalogs, and greeting cards
Newspapers and inserts
Telephone books (to opt out of receiving, visit www.yellowpagesoptout.com)
Computer, letter, and notebook paper
Window, manilla, and plain envelopes
CARDBOARD
Milk cartons, juice boxes, and waxed cardboard containers (rinsed)
Shirt, shoe, and other cardboard boxes (including cereal and other food boxes)
Corrugated cardboard boxes
Toilet paper and paper towel inner cardboard rolls.
Paper egg cartons
Plastic containers marked 1-7
GLASS
Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
Non-acceptable items:
Automotive fluid containers Ceramic flower pots Toys Foam plastic, styrofoam Contaminated cardboard or paper Window glass and mirrors Pots and pans Tyvec plastic envelopes Construction debris Electronics Plastic bags
What can I do with old paint?
Please go to paintcare.org and follow the steps to find a local drop-off point in Connecticut.