Easily Divert Waste at Home

Recycle with a smart setup

Properly prepare recyclables

Make the best of your space and to prevent smells and pests:

  • Remove and recycle caps and lids.
  • Empty and rinse all containers.
  • Flatten large plastic bottles and cardboard boxes.
  • Do not remove labels. They will be removed in the recycling process.
  • Don't place anything in a recycling bin that is not accepted by your recycling program. Unacceptable items can contaminate the load of recyclables and will be thrown away at the sorting facility. Contact your waste provider if you have questions about what is/is not accepted.
  • Post recycling guidelines in a place you'll see them, such as near your recycling bins.
  • Designate a collection space. Place your bin(s) in easily accessible areas such as a kitchen, laundry room, garage, etc. Having space devoted to collecting recycling, donation items, food waste or other materials will help you get in the habit of putting items in the proper container.
  • "Buddy" your bins. Put a recycling container next to each trash can in the house, or purchase divided garbage cans with one side for trash, the other for recycling. This will make it easy to collect recyclables in each room.
  • Team up. If you have several people living in your home, make sure everyone knows where materials belong so as to avoid confusion. Take turns handling the trash and recycling, or else designate a revved-up recycler to be responsible for managing materials. The more people helping, the bigger the impact on your household waste will be!

Take it to the curb
Curbside recycling is the most convenient way to recycle basic items like cans, plastic and paper in your home. Search by community to find out what services are offered in your city or county.

Safely dispose of hazardous products
Most of us have dangerous products in our home. Drain cleaner, used motor oil, excess lawn and garden chemicals, old paint and pesticides — we all have this stuff stored in places throughout our houses, and it poses a number of dangers. Throwing it in the trash isn't an option — it harms the environment and endangers the health of your family and neighbors. Find out how to properly dispose of household hazardous waste»

Unclog your home of analog
Time to face facts: your old Commodore 64 computer isn't going to get used again. But now that you're ready to part ways, it's important to make sure that electronics such as televisions, computers and cellphones are properly donated, recycled or disposed of. More about recycling E-waste»

Reimagine and reuse

Set up a reuse/donation bin
Designate a box to place items that are no longer wanted but are still in good working condition, such as clothes, books, toys, small household items, etc. When the container is full, donate the items to a local charity or thrift store, or else offer them online using resources such as Craigslist or Freecycle. Odds are that someone out there will want your old "Masters of the Universe" dolls…er, action figures.

Find creative ways to reuse items
Okay, HGTV junkies… want to create interesting home accessories using common household items? Get crafty with various items that would otherwise be thrown away! A few examples: glass bottles or jars make great flower vases; cardboard shoe boxes are handy storage containers; aluminum cans are useful starter pots for herbs or small plants…the possibilities are endless. Tap into the waste diversion designer inside of you and think about how you could reuse various materials around the house. Make it (re)work, people.

Feed your lawn naturally: mow it, mulch it, leave it
Grasscycling and leaf mulching are natural fertilizing methods. Leave grass clippings or shredded leaves on your lawn instead of collecting them for disposal; yard waste is banned from landfills in many communities, anyway. Brush and large amounts of yard debris can be taken to area drop-off centers, or you can arrange curbside pickup. Learn more about the benefits of composting, or check to see what yard waste services your community or provider offers »

Reduce what you buy and save money

Spend your green on green products
One of the best ways to reduce household waste is to avoid producing it in the first place. What's one good way to starve your trash can? Avoid plastic utensils or paper plates during meals and use the real deal. If you do have to buy disposable items, consider buying items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Look for products that are made with high recycled content or were produced with clean energy (such as wind or solar power). Learn more about buying recycled products»

Remember RecycleSpot.org!
Any time you have questions or need info about waste diversion services or resources, visit us! Can't find what you need? Send us an email or call 816-474-8326.