Join Carly In Double-Checking That You’re Recycling the Right Materials the Right Way

I have been interested in recycling, environmental issues, and sustainable living for a while. Yes, I'm nerdy like that. In fact, I even went to a magnet high school my junior and senior year that immerses students in environmental project-based learning.

That's why I'm excited to partner with Olmsted County to highlight the proper way to use curbside recycling and dispose of common items. Scroll down to the bottom of the article to see a large graphic with detailed curbside recycling instructions, but here are some important bullet points:

Curbside Recycling Cart Reminders

• You can recycle plastic bottles and containers #1, #2, and #5, but you cannot recycle plastic garbage bags and plastic cutlery.  If you want to recycle plastic grocery bags, bring them back to a bag-return bin at the grocery store or big-box retailer.
• You can recycle paper envelopes, mail, magazines, newspapers, office paper, and paper bags, but you cannot recycle shredded paper, paper plates, and paper towels/napkins.
• Similarly, you can recycle corrugated cardboard, paperboard such as cereal boxes, and juice cartons, but you cannot recycle foam packing materials or containers.
• You also cannot put these into curbside recycling: batteries, electronics, Christmas lights, cords, wires, food waste, ceramics, dishware, window glass, and aerosol cans.
• You should take rechargeable batteries and other hazardous materials to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility.
• You should bring TVs, computers, and other electronic devices to the Recycling Center Plus.

So, if you get a new phone for Christmas, you can drop off your old one at Recycling Center Plus. Or, let's say you get out your Christmas lights to decorate and discover a few strands no longer work; those go to Recycling Center Plus.

Olmsted County has a cool feature on its website called Waste Wizard. Just type in the item and it will tell you the best place for it and any associated cost:

Olmsted County

Pretty easy, right? I know the holiday season can get a little hectic, but I hope you'll join me in ensuring all recyclables, hazardous materials, and other special items end up in the right place. Once you learn the rules and get started, it's an easy way to lessen our environmental impact! To learn more, visit olmstedcounty.gov/residents/garbage-recycling.

Olmsted County