Recycling Basics:
Materials: Every city has its own specifications, so be sure to check your area, but here are some general guidelines

• Paper and Cardboard
  • Good: newspapers, magazines, glossy printed flyers, phone books, envelopes, computer paper, old letters, plastic-lined paper drink cartons, corrugated cardboard
    • Note: staples are fine
  • Bad: stickers, dirty napkins, plastic/wax coated cardboard, food wrappers, pet food bags
• Plastic
  • Good: plastic bottles (with caps removed), plastic containers labeled #1 or #2
    • Note: plastic grocery bags ARE recyclable, and most grocery stores will accept them
  • Bad: Video tapes, computer disks, etc.
    • Note: These items often must be disassembled before recycled, if it is possible at all
• Glass
  • Good: clear, green and brown glass, CFLs (but must be recycled separately at a special facility)
    • Note: If your recycling is commingled (mixed), be sure that bottles, etc. are dry in order to prevent contamination of other materials in the bin like paper
    • Note: Do not mix other types of glass with glass bottles, such as windows, light bulbs, tableware, etc.
• Metals
  • Good: food cans, aluminum cans, aluminum foil and foil packaging, paint/aerosol cans (but toxic so must be set aside), copper
• Electronics
  • Good: computers, printers, hardware, cell phones and rechargeable batteries
    • These items require specific recycling programs that may not be available in all areas, but many manufacturers will now take back used products for recycling

Sources:
“Recycling Basics for the Home.” EarthEasy.com. http://www.eartheasy.com/live_recycling.htm.

Commonly Recycled Materials
http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html