8 Surprising Items We Thought Were Recyclable But Aren't

Plastic Bags

Ah, the notorious plastic bag. Despite being ubiquitous at grocery stores, they are not recyclable in most curbside programs.

Pizza Boxes

That cheesy, greasy pizza box might seem like fair game for reprocessing, but think again. The oil residue can contaminate other reusables, rendering the whole batch unrecyclable.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam is lightweight and insulating, but sadly, it’s also non-recyclable in many areas. It’s made of expanded polystyrene.

Disposable Coffee Cups

Your daily dose of caffeine might come in a paper cup, but chances are it’s lined with a thin layer of plastic for insulation.

Used Paper Towels

After wiping up spills or drying your hands, tossing those paper towels in the salvage bin is tempting.

Plastic Straws

Plastic straws have garnered much attention for their environmental impact. While efforts to ban them have gained momentum, they’re still mistakenly tossed into recycling bins.

Broken Glassware

Unfortunately, broken glassware like drinking glasses or ceramics cannot be recycled alongside regular glass bottles and jars.

Shredded Paper

Shredded paper might seem harmless, but its small size poses challenges for recycling facilities. It can clog machinery and contaminate other reusables.

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