"Mastering Recycling: Avoiding Common Mistakes and Surprising Dos and Don'ts"

Recycling can be confusing due to the differences in sorting technology and local markets for recycling materials. Many people recycle wrong, but knowing some key information can improve recycling efforts. Plastic bags are not recyclable, and all other plastics may not be accepted in some areas. Recyclables should be clean and dry, and caps should be left on plastic bottles. Tape, staples, and windows should be removed from paper products. Crushing cans and bottles is not necessary. The worst thing to put in a recycling bin is anything that is not recyclable.