How Many Recycling Bins | Recycling Contanier Do You Need?

When asked why they do not recycle, the number one answer people give is that they do not have an area in which to store their recyclable materials.  The second answer is generally that they are confused as to which items are recyclable and which are not.  There are some very simple solutions to both of these issues and with a bit of education more people would begin to recycle. 



The first thing you need to do to start a recycling program in your home is to contact your local community recycle center.  Your local recycling center is there to help you better understand the process and also to help you with which items can be recycled in your specific area of the country.  You can give them a call or visit their location.  You will want to ask them about their programs in your area and how they want to see materials coming into their center.  For example, do you need to wash out your cans and bottles before bringing them in?  Or, do you need to smash your aluminum cans at home before bringing them?   

Once you understand what your local recycle center accepts, it is time to work on getting the right recycling bins for your needs.  Recycling bins are available in a lot of different shapes, sizes and colors.  How many bins you will need depends on which items you will be recycling, and how much space you have readily available for you to work with. 

Most community recycling centers today will accept aluminum, plastic, glass, cardboard and newspapers to be recycled. You may want to have bins for each of these different types of materials, or you may want to keep just one or two bins and separate your materials before you get to the center.    

Aluminum Recycling Bins:  For aluminum cans you will want a large bin if you drink lots of soda which comes in cans.  You do not need an aluminum recycling bin if you do not drink soda.  

Plastics Recycling Bins:  For plastics you will want at least one recycling bin and possibly more, to save space consider stackable recycling bins, if you have a lot of plastic waste in your home.  Community recycling centers generally require you to sort your plastic recyclables by plastic type.  You can generally find the type of plastics by the number on the bottom of most plastic containers.  

Glass Recycling Bins:  You will probably only need one recycling bin for glass, however you will have to sort the glass into colors at the recycling center.   

Cardboard Recycle Bins:  If you use a lot of boxed products, then you will find a recycling bin for cardboard will come in handy.  Newspapers and other paper can generally be kept in a paper grocery bag and taken to the recycling center in that. 

If you have a small space, but a lot of materials you want to recycle on a regular basis, consider purchasing stackable bins.  Stackable recycling bins use vertical space and are widely available for purchase.  Another option is to use recycling bins which sit in bottom cabinets in your kitchen.  These bins sit on sliders and you pull them out of your bottom cabinet to insert your recyclable materials into them. Also, check out this recommended resource Eco Books; Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin

If you have a large garage or other storage area where you can hold more recyclable materials, I would suggest purchasing the ten gallon tubs with handles at your local home improvement store.  You can easily put them into your vehicle to take to the recycling center because the are light and easy to carry. 
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