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Gift-giving is a joyous way to spread love and cheer. But it can also bring an abundance of wasted materials; some of which are recyclable, and some of which aren't. It is always important to check your local recycling guidelines before tossing something in the bin, but this guide can give you a head start on recycling gift-giving materials correctly or finding a sustainable alternative to avoid waste altogether.

Wrapping paper

Wrapping paper is sometimes accepted and sometimes not, depending on your program and the type of wrapping paper being discarded. Most locations will accept wrapping paper that is made from 100% paper, but many varieties have shiny coatings, plastic lining, or glitter that leave them incompatible with recycling processes.

Swap the wrapping paper for:

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• Fabrics such as scarves, handkerchiefs, or cloth napkins.
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• Newspapers, maps, or brown kraft paper for a rustic and charming look.
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• Wrapping already made from recycled paper.

Gift bags

Gift bags have a similar set-back as wrapping paper. They are recyclable if they are made from 100% paper, but most aren't. Gift bags are almost always embellished with bows, glitter, or glossy coatings that are not great for recycling. Some locations may have equipment to deal with these aspects, so it's always best to look up what your specific location accepts.

Ditch the new gift bag for:

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• Decorative reusable shopping bags.
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• Tote bags or baskets.
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• Reuse an old favorite that is in good condition.

Tissue paper

While tissue paper may seem like regular paper, just thinner, it's not suitable for recycling. Some soft paper products such as decorative tissue paper, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues are made with very small fibers that have been broken down too small to be used again in the paper recycling process.

Skip the paper in place of:

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• If you need to fill space in a gift box or bag, use a scarf, tea towel, or any other reusable fabric that can keep fragile items safe.
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• Shredded gift wrap from received gifts.
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• Magazine pages.

Greeting cards

Most greeting cards are easily recyclable but watch out for overly decorative ones that add music or plastic decorations. If you have any with glitter, plastic, or other non-paper materials, check with your local recycling program before adding them to the bin. When in doubt, it's best to toss these in the garbage to avoid contamination in your recycling.

Cards that make sounds are not recyclable because they have a battery and other electrical elements in them. If you can remove these pieces, you can recycle the parts of the card that are 100% paper.

Express your message with:

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• E-Cards or other digital forms of communication.
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• Reuse a gift card you've received by cutting off the back and using the front like a postcard.
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• Cut shapes out of the front of the card and hang them on your Christmas tree as decorative ornaments.

Ribbons and bows

Ribbons and bows are not accepted for recycling at most recycling centers. They are generally made of plastics or fabric. Ribbons can easily get tangled in recycling machinery since they are long, flexible strips. Some bows also use small wires to keep them in place to look fuller and poofy.

Instead of plastic bows, opt for:

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• Options made from natural materials like jute, hemp, or cotton.
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• Give a bit of a flourish with dried flowers, pinecones, or evergreen sprigs. These materials are not only eco-friendly but also add a rustic and organic feel to your gift wrapping.
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• There are a few compostable bows and ribbons on the market now to use instead of plastic or fabric ones. Just be sure to let the gift recipient know they can compost these items instead of putting them in their trash.

Conclusion

Showing your love through gift-giving can be rewarding, especially if you are incorporating sustainable gift-wrapping alternatives. By choosing eco-friendly materials, you are reducing waste and helping protect the environment, all while celebrating your special occasions with friends and family. Always look up the recyclability of materials in your local program and choose environmentally friendly options when possible.

According to the?Aluminum Association,? aluminum is among the most valuable and recyclable materials known to humanity. It forms a perfect closed loop and can be recycled endlessly. Some 75% of all products made from aluminum are recycled in the US. But what about foil? Recycling this tricky type of aluminum is not so straightforward. Here are 5 must-know tips that will help you optimize the way you recycle aluminum foil in your home.

1. Find out what is accepted in your program

What is aluminum foil anyway? You might know that foil is potentially recyclable, but between foil sheets, or pans, or packaging you may not know what to do with it. And tin foil is not biodegraddable.Aluminum cans are accepted for recycling almost everywhere, but foil pans and foil sheets may be different from city to city.

A single American throws away roughly three pounds of foil every year. If it reaches the landfill, it will take approximately 400 years to break down through the oxidation process. Worse still, if it's burnt it contributes to toxic air pollution and releases harmful gases into our atmosphere.

Check with your municipality to see if they accept aluminum foil pans and aluminum foil sheets. Foil pans are more widely accepted since they are easy to wash, but foil sheets can sometimes be nixed by recycling programs due to the high levels of food contamination.

2. Contaminated tin foil can't be recycled

Clean tin foil is recyclable in many municipalities - until it comes into contact with your lunch. Because foil recycling relies on clean materials, you can't just ball up your foil and throw it in the recycling bin. Once the foil is contaminated with food waste, it stops being viable.

If enough contaminated foil gets into your stream, it has the potential to ruin every other material in that load. This means?none of it can be recycled,?so the entire process is rendered null and void. Educate your household about clean tin foil recycling to prevent contamination.

3. Clean your foil

An easy way to get around the food contamination is to wash off, wipe off, or scrape off food particles from your foil pans and sheets before adding them to your bin. If there is caked on food from baking or balled up foil sheets that have food in all sorts of crevices, do not add these items to your recycling.

Foil pans and takeout containers can even be washed in the dishwasher. It is actually recommended to put foil in dishwashersto help remove stains on silverware and prevent rust. If you are putting foil sheets in, use the top rack and place something over it to keep it in place during the wash.

4. Reuse tin foil

The good news is that you're not powerless against the food contamination making its way into your canteen. Once you wash your foil pans and sheets, you can use them again and again. In this case, you are recycling them at home until they become too worn to use. Think of the cost savings of using these items again and again!

Reusing aluminum foil is an infinitely better alternative to plastic for food storage and wrap. Aluminum packaging is strong and can be used repeatedly then it can likely be recycled. Again, check with your municipality to see what types of aluminum they accept.

5. Get creative about reusing foil

Aluminum foil recycling is the final step in the lifecycle of your foil (before it becomes another aluminum product). The goal of sustainability?is to keep the recyclable material in play as long as it's useful, and to only recycle it once it has no more use.

Tin foil has an enormous range of uses that you can take advantage of. It polishes silverware, cleans grills, scrubs dishes, sharpens scissors, improves radiator efficiency, and reflects light in a sun box for office plants. Find ways to lengthen its lifespan in your home.

Looking Forward

Right now, aluminum cans are the easiest to recycle but we want to challenge your household to start tackling the products that aren't so easy. Set a goal to make foil recycling a regular practice at your home and in your daily lives.

Most people are in the dark when it comes to lightbulb disposal, with good reason. Nearly every country and region has its own lightbulb disposal and recycling policy, and there are many different types of bulbs, each with their own special requirements. No wonder it’s so hard to keep track of what goes where.In spite of regional differences, some things hold true no matter where you are. Let’s take a look at the many types of lightbulbs currently in use and the general guidelines that do apply in most places. If you’re looking for local recycling depots or information on specific regulations in your country, skip to the list at the end of this post.

CFLs

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use much less energy than older styled bulbs, which makes them very popular. Unfortunately, one of the components that make them so energy efficient is mercury. Mercury is hazardous and must not be thrown away in your regular garbage because toxins seep into landfill groundwater and make their way into our drinking supply. The good news is that the mercury, glass and metal components of a CFL bulb can all be recycled and reused if processed correctly. Recycling instructions differ from place to place, so check the 'What Goes Where' search tool for your local disposal requirements. For specialty recycling programs, see the list of depots at the bottom of this article.

Due to their mercury content, these bulbs can be hazardous, especially if you have children or pets in the house. If you must clean up a broken CFL bulb, follow the detailed instructions on the US EPA website. Make sure the broken pieces are wrapped carefully, and check with your local waste collection agency for proper disposal instructions. Again, because these bulbs contain mercury, they should not be tossed out with your regular trash unless your municipality specifically tells you to do so.

Incandescents

Incandescent bulbs and lamps can be tossed into the trash. If a bulb is broken, wrap it first in paper or plastic before placing it in your trash bin. This prevents broken edges from cutting through your garbage bag and creating a mess, and it helps protect you and your waste hauler from accidental injury.If the bulbs are intact and you have a creative streak, you can also try upcycling them. Incandescent light bulbs can be turned into Christmas ornaments, little vases for small plants or mini lamps - you can find thousands of fun ideas on Pinterest alone. However, make sure you take proper safety precautions before trying out any of these DIY projects. Preparing an incandescent bulb for crafting can be tricky, so follow a guide to hollowing out a bulb.

LEDs

Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs do not contain mercury but are made with other hazardous substances such as lead and arsenic. Many communities will not accept these bulbs in their recycling program, which means most people throw their burnt out bulbs in the trash, by default. Unfortunately, this means lead and arsenic end up in the landfill and, inevitably, back in the water stream. Check with your local recycling center and ask if they accept LEDs as part of their special collection services.

Halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs contain halogen gas, which means they are not easily recycled, and many communities recommend you throw these bulbs in the trash. If this is the case in your city or town, make sure you put the used bulb back into its carton or container or wrap the bulb to prevent it from shattering. To keep these bulbs out of your landfill, ask your local recycling center if they have a special collection policy for halogens.

Fluorescent tubes

Fluorescent tubes contain mercury which makes them hazardous and difficult to recycle. Handling fluorescent tubes can be dangerous, too, as they are long and bulky and easy to break. Fluorescent tubes are considered to be universal (i.e. hazardous) waste and are not accepted by curbside collection because their fragility and potentially toxic components make them harmful to the environment and sanitation workers. However, many recycling drop off programs will accept fluorescent tubes for processing irregardless of if your local recylcing program accepts them. Check below for programs that may partake in fluorescent tube recycling.

Drop-off depots (specific to country)

Canada

Aside from regular municipal recycling centers, many retailers within Canada have recycling programs that accept burnt out bulbs. To take advantage of these services, visit these (or similar) retail sites and search for a location near you. Contact your local store and ask what in-store recycling services they provide:

RONAIKEALowesThe Home DepotIf none of these retailers have stores in your area, or their collections are still closed due to Covid-19, and if your local site does not accept bulbs, visit LightRecycle for other options.

United States

In addition to your regular municipal collection services, many retailers and organizations in the U.S. accept burnt out bulbs. Search the following retailers and organizations to find a location near you, and call ahead to inquire about their bulb collection options:LowesThe Home DepotTrue Value Hardware StoresMenardsIf you do not have these retailers near you, the Earth 911 website has a search engine to help you find other disposal depots in your area.Using the What Goes Where search tool For information regarding the proper disposal of every type of lightbulbs in your area,use the What Goes Wheresearch tool to find out exactly where you can drop off lightbulbs in your community.

To rinse, or not to rinse your recyclables. That is the question.And if you do need to rinse, what about sticky stuff like yogurt that clings to the sides of the container?You may have pondered these questions as you hovered indecisively over your bin, wondering if it's OK to drop your containers in as-is. Especially if you've heard that the water usage takes away from recycling savings.It used to be that some cities, such as Chicago, didn't need residents to rinse their recyclables. They took on the job of cleaning materials themselves. But Chicago and more areas like it now ask residents to remove the bulk of food residue. A quick rinse is fine - there's no need to make it clean enough to eat off of. The heat process can burn off small amounts of stuck-on food. And to make the process even more earth friendly, you can even re-use dish water.

Single-stream challenges

If your community uses single-stream recycling, where all of your recyclable materials are put in one bin and separated at the recycling facility, there is another factor to consider, too.Even if your unrinsed yogurt container, soda can or other residue-containing item is upright when you put it into the bin, after being dumped into the truck, bounced along for miles and compressed, there's a pretty good chance that somewhere along the way whatever started off inside will come out.That's bad news for any paper or cardboard that might be on board. While a drop of yogurt might not make a huge difference, it adds up. And even a small bit of oil or grease (salad dressing, anyone?) can ruin the entire load of paper recyclables.

The bottom line: rinse recyclables, seriously

You don't need to scrub those plastic and glass containers with soap and water to make them clean enough to eat off of. But taking a moment to give them a rinse, even if it's just with dishwater runoff, will ensure that they end up getting processed. For more helpful tips and tricks on handling your household waste, download the Recycle Coach app for free. If your city's a member of our network, we'll hook you up with information customized to where you live.

We all know that beer and glass soda/pop/cola bottles should be recycled. You don't need a coach to tell you that. But can you recycle metal bottle caps? What do you do with them, other than clutter up the kitchen counter?As you may have guessed, metal bottle caps are recyclable, but there is a correct way to process them to ensure they don't get lost in the shuffle. Here's how:

Two different types of bottle caps

There are two types of bottle caps: steel and aluminum. Both types are made of recyclable materials, so you might think you can just throw them into your recycling cart. No problem, right?Turns out there is a problem: Your local recycling facility is an automated processing centre where materials are separated both by machines and by hand. Because of their size, these small, loose bottle caps fall through the screeners and end up being missed for recovery. And while the recycling facility is able to separate materials like glass, aluminum, steel and plastic containers, metal bottle caps are too small to be identified, so they often end up going to the landfill.

How to make sure your metal bottle caps go into the recycling stream

Getting those caps into the right recycling stream is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1:

First, separate your bottle caps into empty aluminum and steel cans. How can you tell if they're steel or aluminum? It just needs to pass a basic test: If it sticks to a magnet, it's steel. If not, then it's aluminum. Your bottle caps should then be grouped in cans of similar metal so they can be processed all together, so put your aluminum caps in an aluminum can and your steel caps into steel.

Step 2:

Once you've filled a can halfway with caps, crimp the can closed so the caps won't fall out during recycling collection or processing at the facility. Trapping them in the can ensures the caps are captured properly and reach the end cycle of the sorting process. Remember to not overfill the can with caps or you won't be able to crimp it closed.That's it! Now you can recycle those metal bottle caps!Note:Some bottle retailers also accept bottle caps with their take-back program. Ask your local retailer about their bottle cap policies and request appropriate disposal instructions.Also, in some cities you can recycle metal bottle caps without having to put them in a steel or aluminum can, so it's always wise to check first. If your city is part of the Recycle Coach Network, feel free to download our app to find out.

When we talk about recycling, most of us think about putting our plastic containers and aluminum cans in the blue bin. But have you ever thought about recycling building materials in your home?If you're in the market for a major renovation or construction project, there are significant opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle, which helps keep building materials out of the landfill and reduce your building costs at the same time.

Where and how can I recycle building materials?

1. Getting started

If you are planning a demolition or building project, the best places to go for information are:

 
• Your local Builders' Association
 
• Your state or provincial environmental agency

These organizations can help you determine best practices for your region, plan your project and help you ensure your project adheres to government regulations.

2. Local landfill and recycling regulations

Some municipalities do not accept residential construction materials, so make sure you understand proper processing and landfill rules in your area before you start. To learn what your city will remove and accept at landfill and how to prepare materials for recycling, contact:

 
• Your local municipality's solid waste and recycling department
 
• Your local waste/recycling haulers

3. Places to buy or sell reusable construction materials

 
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Canada, the US, New Zealand or Australia
 
• Search online for local construction recycling depots. Some search suggestions include:
   
  • building material recycling
   
  • recovered building materials for sale
   
  • building reclaimers
   
  • buy used building materials

Why Does recycling building materials matter?

If you think about the sheer volume of material used throughout the building process, recycling building components makes logical sense. Reusing materials:

 
• Reduces the demand for new resources
 
• Cuts costs related to the production and transportation of new materials and
 
• Eliminates the need to send waste to landfill sites

On the demolition side, every time you process hazardous waste properly, you keep it out of the landfill and minimize toxic build-up in our environment. Substances such as asbestos, latex paint, chemical solvents, adhesives, lead-based paint need to be treated with care to reduce their impact on the environment. Granted, it takes more time and care to dismantle and preserve reusable parts, but the resale price alone will make it worth your while.

What happens to recycled construction materials?

Many common construction and renovation materials can be reused or recycled. For example:

 
• Concrete: can be broken down and recycled as base course for building driveways and footpaths
 
• Untreated timber: is used as firewood or mulched. Large pieces can be re-milled and put back to use in construction
 
• Asphalt paving:  is crushed and recycled back into new asphalt for paved roads
 
• Trees and brush: are recycled as compost or mulch
 
• Timber, large dimension lumber (i.e. lumber longer than 6 ft), plywood, flooring, and molding  can be reused directly
 
• Metals (i.e. steel, aluminum, copper): can be melted down and reformed into new metal products.  They can also be sold for scrap

Using the What Goes Where? search tool 

For city-specific information about recycling building materials, visit the Recycle Coach homepage and type in the city or municipality that you live in. If your municipality is signed up, you will be able to use the What goes where?search tool to find out exactly where you can drop off these materials in your community. If your municipality is not signed up, be sure to register for updates that will let you know when the tool becomes available for your area.

Since you're a recycling pro, you probably already know that your local program doesn't accept plastic bags in curbside collection. And you may already know that plastic bag recycling is a thing you can do at most local grocery stores.

But here's where it gets confusing. Does that mean just the bags from that store? Or can you recycle more? Most drop-off bag collections accept polyethylene film. This includes high-density polyethylene (HDPE or #2 plastic) and low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic or LDPE). It's great if your bags have markings on them, but since most do not, it's good to know some general guidelines.

Accepted plastics for drop-off bins

Some plastics that can go into the store drop-off bins are

• Plastic shopping bags (from any store - remove receipts, etc.)
• Zipper-top plastic food storage bags
• Bread bags
• Some plastic liners from cereal boxes (do not include if they tear like paper)
• Produce bags
• Dry cleaning bags (remove staples, receipts, hangers)
• Plastic newspaper wrapping
• Product wrapping (such as covers a case of water bottles, etc.)
• Bubble wrap and air pillows (popped)
• Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labeling)

ALL materials should be clean and dry. If your bags are not completely clean of food residue, they will contaminate the entire batch. This includes removing all stickers, labels, and staples if any exist. Don't forget to remove receipts as well!

Plastics that need to go in the trash

Other plastics need to go into the trash. These include:

• Frozen food bags
• Cereal box liners that tear like paper
• Biodegradable bags
• Pre-washed salad bags
• Candy bar wrappers
• Chip bags
• Six-pack rings

Crinkly plastic bags such as pre-washed salad bags, chip bags, and cereal box liners that tear are made of different plastics that are less likely to be recyclable at all. So if it crinkles, do not add it to retail recycling drop-offs.

Why doesn't my local recycling accept plastic bags?

Although a small handful of communities accept plastic in curbside bins, the vast majority do not. That's because most facilities don't have the personnel and equipment they would need to process them.

Rigid plastics, like gallon milk containers, are easily processed by machine. They are carried by conveyor belts and machine sorted. But throwing plastic bags into the mix wreaks havoc on these machines. The bags bend easily and get snagged in belts. They jam machinery and need to be cleared by hand.

The extra labor required to handle these problems and the higher amount of equipment downtime makes your recycling program less profitable. That means that your government has less to spend on other programs.

Accepted bags

The few locations that do accept plastic bags in their curbside collection likely do not accept these bags and plastic overwrap loose in the bin. Check to see what the specific requirements for collection might be if your municipality accepts these bags. The common requirement is that residents put all bags into one bag and tie it at the top so recycling workers can easily pick the bag out before it goes to the sorting machine and gets tangled in the gears.

Other locations may accept bags at their facility as a drop-off item only. This likely also has the requirement of stuffing all your bags and overwrap into one bag. Just like retail drop-off locations, all thin plastic film should be clean and dry and free of stickers, staples, and receipts.

Bagging recyclables

Another recycling rule to keep in mind is to not bag your recycling. Curbside collection should be loose in the bin. Some municipalities allow overflow to be bagged in large transparent recycling bags, but you should never be adding small plastic shopping bags filled with recyclables into your bin.

Bagging items in these small bags ends up making it difficult for facilities to sort the items, and it is likely that these bags will be sent to landfill along with all the other viable recyclables inside. So make sure to avoid bagging your recyclables.

The bottom line

You can recycle plastic bags and overwrap packaging, but don't put them in your home recycling bin! You'll need to drop them off at your local grocery store or possibly at the local recycling facility if available. Check the lists above for guidelines on what is accepted and check with your drop-off location if you have any questions.

Summer is a time for celebration. Which means fireworks, lots of fireworks.

Fireworks play a pivotal role in our public celebrations, from Canada Day and Independence Day to New Year's Eve, and it's easy to see why. They're dramatic and awe-inspiring, a perfect way to wrap up a festive night of fun, whether you're at a large public event or a block party with close friends and family.

But once the celebrations are over and the smoke has cleared, they can be a mess to clean up. Especially if you don't know what to do with them. Fireworks, when incorrectly disposed of, can be dangerous. To you, the individuals who handle your waste, and the environment.

How it's done

First off, you'll want to make sure your pyrotechnics are waterlogged. This goes for used and unused fireworks. Duds, too, once you've determined they're safe to handle. Soak your ordinance in a bucket of water for at least 15 minutes. Some recommend up to 48 hours, but that's not necessary if they're wet throughout.

Once you're satisfied, drain any excess water into the toilet, and place your fireworks into a sealable plastic bag to maintain moisture. Feel free to double bag them, too. Finally, you can safely toss them into the garbage. The same goes for most other combustibles.

Some communities even host takeback events for unused ordinance, so be sure to check in with yours to see. You can also contact your Fire Department for more information. Whatever you do, don't recycle your fireworks. Though most of them are made out of paper, they're not recyclable. Ever.

Fireworks and the environment

Not to be a killjoy, but fireworks aren't exactly great for the environment.

In fact, on average, Fourth of July celebrations alone contribute 42% more air pollution across the U.S. Fireworks contain plenty of toxic materials. The colors they produce when ignited, for example, come from heavy metals like barium, aluminum, and strontium. Perchlorates, which are propellants, are a family of extremely reactive oxygen and chlorine compounds -the same NASA uses to launch rockets into space. None of these chemicals play well with humans or the environment.

Granted, we don't use fireworks often enough to see a long-term impact on the planet. At least, not yet. But it's still something to consider, and it's a big reason why we need to be vigilant about how we dispose of them. When it's done right, we can prevent toxic chemicals from leaching into the water, where they can do the most damage.

Alternatives?

If you're feeling down about fireworks, sorry. Thankfully, there are other alternatives out there. Laser lightshows have gained in popularity and are currently being used as an alternative. There are also eco-friendly fireworks. Though not entirely green, they're an improvement. If none of these options work for you, that's okay, too. Just remember to dunk, double bag, and dispose of your used and unused fireworks in the trash.