Spring Recycling Tips for Sustainability

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Did you know that most plastic you put in the recycling bin is never recycled? If you throw a “recyclable” item into the bin, it’s likely going to the landfill unless it’s PET #1 and HDPE #2 plastics (which are the most recyclable plastic). The rest of “recyclable” items are rarely recycled and most likely sent to the landfill. I’ve started only recycling #1 and #2 items with my local town recycling, and the remaining products I ship to a speciality recycler like Terra Cycle. Spring will be here before we know it, and it’s the perfect time to remind yourself on updated and effective spring recycling tips.

I recently purchased an all purpose Terra Cycle box to recycle various items from my household. A few of the items I sent to Terra Cycle were old toys, office supplies, water filters, and plastic kitchen utensils. I also utilize Terra Cycle’s free program to recycle dental supplies like toothbrushes, toothbrush tubes, toothbrush packaging, floss containers, etc. If you haven’t yet please check out Terra Cycle’s many free programs! All you need is an old box, some tape, and a printer (to print out Terra Cycle’s shipping label). I tape it up and drop it off at my local UPS Drop Off location.

1. Empty, Rinse, and Recycle Beverage Containers

Sipping on iced teas, cold brews, or sparkling water? Ensure all beverage containers—whether aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or glass jars—are emptied, rinsed, and placed in the appropriate recycling bin. Proper preparation prevents contamination, increasing the likelihood of successful recycling.

Fun Fact: Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours!

RELATED POST: RECYCLING 101

2. Aluminum Foil and Trays: Ready for a Second Life

Hosting a barbecue? Clean and recycle aluminum trays and foil used during your grilling sessions. These items can be transformed into new products, saving up to 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum. As you fire up the grill for outdoor gatherings this spring, remember to clean and recycle aluminum trays and foil used for cooking. These items are recyclable and can be transformed into new products, reducing the need for virgin materials and conserving valuable resources.

Insight: Recycling one ton of aluminum saves 14,000 kWh of energy—enough to power an average home for a year.

3. Declutter Your Office Sustainably

Spring cleaning often includes sorting through old documents and office supplies. Recycle paper and shredded documents responsibly. Shredded paper requires special handling and should be taken to paper-specific recycling facilities. Shredded paper (without plastic film) can be composted.

Data Point: The U.S. recycled 66.2% of its paper consumption in 2019—let’s aim to increase that number.

4. Scrap Metal: Give Old Tools a New Purpose

Don’t let rusted garden tools, lawn mower blades, or broken metal decor collect dust. Drop them off at a local scrap metal recycling center to ensure they’re reused or repurposed. Old and rusted garden tools, lawn mower blades, and metal lawn art can all be recycled through scrap metal recycling drop-offs. My local recycler allows for scrap metal drop off at the waste center. So instead of letting metal items collect dust in your garage, give them a new purpose by recycling them responsibly. Yes, these items can have some plastic in them as long as they’re mostly metal.

Economic Impact: Recycling one ton of scrap metal creates $275 in goods and services and $101 in wages.

RELATED POST: HOW TO STOP CLOTHING WASTE IN ITS TRACK

5. Flexible Plastics: Know What Can and Can’t Be Recycled

Grocery store bags, mulch bags, soil bags, and birdseed bags fall into the category of soft or flexible plastics that can’t be processed through regular recycling due to sorting machine limitations. However, many retailers that recycle plastic grocery bags also accept these items when clean. Check out Plastic Film recycling here. Be sure to rinse out soil or mulch bags before taking to the grocery store.

There are some exceptions. You should not recycle freezer or pretzel bags. Don’t ask me why. For whatever reason these items cannot be recycled with plastic film in the USA. Canada may be different.

6. Bulky Plastics: Special Recycling Solutions

Large plastic items like children’s toys or plastic sheds can’t be recycled in standard bins. Research local commercial recycling options or repurpose these items creatively to avoid sending them to landfills. Consider exploring commercial recycling options or finding creative ways to repurpose these items to prevent them from ending up in landfills. As I listed above I love Terra Cycle for my speciality recycling needs.

Actionable Tip: Clean and dry these plastics before recycling to prevent contamination.

7. Dispose of Hazardous Materials Safely

Items like propane tanks, paints, stains, and electronics should be disposed of responsibly to prevent harm to the environment. Take advantage of your local waste management facility and ask about hazardous materials and explore free recycling options for electronics through designated facilities. Many communities host hazardous material drop-off events, where you can safely dispose of these items.

Environmental Note: Recycling electronics is crucial; one ton of e-waste contains more gold than 17 tons of gold ore!

8. Compost Organic Waste for a Healthier Garden

Spring gardening and meal prep produce a lot of organic waste. Compost your food scraps and garden clippings to create nutrient-rich soil. Composting not only reduces landfill waste but also enriches your garden naturally. I’m currently using the 65 gallon outdoor composter, but I plan to buy the 3 liter electric composter. I also personally grass cycle, which means we don’t collect our grass clippings and let them fall where they will to “mulch” the lawn. Grass cycling helps keep your lawn moist without extra watering.

Statistic: Composting food scraps could divert up to 30% of household waste from landfills.

9. Buy and Support Recycled Products

Close the recycling loop by purchasing items made from recycled materials. Look for recycled paper products, reusable water bottles, and eco-friendly packaging when shopping.

Impact: If every U.S. household replaced one roll of paper towels with 100% recycled ones, it would save 544,000 trees annually.

10. Donate Before You Dispose

Before discarding usable items, consider donating to your local Buy Nothing Group, local charities, schools, or community centers. Platforms like Freecycle and Craigslist also help give unwanted items a second life.

By following these recycling tips for spring, you can make this spring a season of renewal and responsible consumption, one recyclable item at a time.

FAQs

Q1: How do I find local recycling rules? A: Visit your municipality’s website or contact local waste management facilities for specific guidelines.

Q2: What is the best way to recycle electronics? A: Use designated e-waste recycling programs or events hosted by community centers and electronics retailers.

Q3: Can I compost all food waste? A: Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods as they attract pests and decompose poorly.

Q4: How do I repurpose old garden tools? A: Send to a specialty recycler, repair (I recently repaired an air mattress), donate to community gardens, or recycle as scrap metal.

Q5: What are resin identification codes? A: These numbers on plastic items indicate the type of plastic used, helping you determine its recyclability.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on a year of Recycling! If you’d like to stay up to date on the latest in minimalism, zero waste, and slow living give me a follow.

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