- Not everything can be recycled, even if it's made up of recyclable materials.
- Plastics like clothes hangers, grocery bags, and toys aren't always recyclable in your curbside bin.
- Other things that aren't recyclable include Styrofoam, bubble wrap, dishes, and electronic cords.
- Check for facilities in your area that may be able to recycle the items below.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a good chance you're recycling wrong.
It's not necessarily your fault, though. There are a ton of rules when it comes to what can and can't be recycled, and those little symbols on products don't always make it clearer.
Because it's so complicated, people often end up falling short on recycling goals despite having the best intentions. To help you out, we've put together a list of 18 things you should absolutely never toss into your home recycling bin.
SEE ALSO: I tried to live without trash for a week — and it left me cold and hungry
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Styrofoam
Styrofoam is one of the most commonly-known non-recyclable materials. It's made of polystyrene, a material that isn't biodegradable.The best solution is to avoid Styrofoam altogether in favor of more earth-friendly materials. There may be some facilities near you that accept it, though.
Something to keep in mind is that TerraCycle likely has a recycling solution for many of the above listed items. Be sure to check out what they have available in your area.
Bubble wrap
Although many plastics can be recycled, the particular kind of plastic bubble wrap is made from cannot be recycled, because the thin film can tangle in recycling machines. However, there are many locations that will accept the wrap.
Cords
While all parts of the power cord are recyclable, it will be difficult for you to separate those parts. You can, however, find somewhere that recycles electronics and cords. Options include your community's e-waste facility — which is often located near the hazardous household items facility — or keep an eye out for e-waste collection events put on by local offices in your area.
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