Can You Recycle It In San Diego?

Peanuts

Although Dumbo’s preferred snack is biodegradable, packing peanuts are made of expanded polystyrene and cannot be recycled. Rather than throwing those squeaky plastic puffs to the landfill, several commercial shipping firms, including Junk Removal And Hauling, take clean packing peanuts from customers.

Hardcover Books

While paperback books are totally recyclable, hardcover volumes cannot be placed in the blue bin intact. The cover must be removed since it contains non-recyclable non-paper components. Fun statistics about paper recycling: every ton of recycled paper saves three cubic yards of landfill space, 380 gallons of oil, and 17 trees! Half of all recyclables collected in curbside programs are made of paper (and we know how weighty a modest stack of books can be; we pick them up all the time!).

Receipts

While we’re on the subject of the paper, did you know that receipts can’t be recycled? Small pieces of paper can get tangled and trapped in the machinery, and many receipts are coated with BPA and are therefore not recyclable or composted. Thankfully, many companies now ask if you want one when you check out or offer the option of receiving one through email.

Waxed Paper and Cartons

Cartons complete the three-part list of non-recyclable paper. Broth, stock, and orange juice are just a few of the frequently marketed items in cartons. The wax fibers on the coating of this convenient container should not be recycled since they will not break down correctly. Waxed paper, silicone baking paper, waxed baking cups, and most frozen food cartons are examples of other wax coatings products.

Mattresses

Mattresses are not recyclable. However, they can be repurposed. Furthermore, discarding them jams landfills and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as they decay. For this reason, most garbage carriers will not accept them. Some communities, organizations, and homeless shelters, on the other hand, provide unique mattress donation services. Alternatively, give us a call to put your old mattress to rest.

Old TVs And Electronics

Electronics that aren’t in working order won’t be accepted at donation centers, and curbside collection won’t pick them up either. Special recycling days for electronics are held in several localities. Alternatively, toss your out-of-date technology into the pile for Junk Removal And Hauling to remove. To reduce the growing problem of e-waste, several of our sites engage in free electronic waste recycling activities. Contact Junk Removal And Hauling in your area to discover if they will be attending any forthcoming e-waste events in your area.

Treated Wood

Wood that has been treated with any finish cannot be recycled. Wood treatments contain chemicals that can damage water supplies if not properly disposed of, and burning treated wood without a permit is usually forbidden.

Clothes Hangers

Because plastic hangers are sometimes composed of mixed materials, they cannot be recycled in single-stream bins. Metal hangers have an unusual form that can get entangled in recycling machinery. Also, they cannot be recycled because wood hangers have been treated. Several dry cleaners and thrift stores accept donated hangers. Hangers that are broken or no longer useful should be discarded.

Try to pay attention the next time your waste hauler, recycling center, or material recovery facility (MRF) sends you educational materials to find out what you can and can’t recycle in your neighborhood. When it comes to things that can’t be recycled, it’s critical to reduce consumption or find creative methods to repurpose them, so they don’t end up in a landfill. If you can’t recycle or reuse something on your own, give us a call, and we’ll assist you in properly disposing of your unwanted stuff. While one person’s trash may be another’s treasure, your pals at Junk Removal And Hauling can come to the rescue and cart it away. Make an appointment for a free estimate right now!