Recycling?!!?! Office Paper, Vegetable Cans and Aerosol Cans??

Question

Right now, I just recyle paper, but I want to start recycling some more things like cans or cardboard. Yesterday, I went to recycle my paper in the recycling paper bin. There are also other bins and there are lists of which you can and can't put in each bin. But I'm confused with some of the things that you can and can't put in each bin:

On the paper bin, office paper is on the "no" list. And computer and copier paper aren't on any list on the bin at all. Is office paper different from copier paper or computer paper? If is, what's the difference, because I'm used to just any white sheet of paper as computer paper or office paper.

On the CANS bin, it says on the "yes" list pet food cans can go in, but it doesnt say anything about vegetable or soup cans on the "yes" list. Niether, does it say on the "no" list vegetable and soup cans can't go in? Can the vegetable and soup cans go in at all? It doesnt say yes or no!!

Answer 1

think about it. doesnt a dog food can feel exactly the same as a vegetable can? of course you put them in.

and yes for all the aerosols.

and yes for all paper, just not waxy paper.

Answer 2

I think office paper is like any other copier paper-they may say no to it for two reasons I can think of--they don't want your documents with addresses and personal info to end up in the bins cause someone might steal the identity, and also if it is a large office, they don't want to recycle your huge amount of paper, you should put up recycle bins and do it yourself.

I guess they don't say yes to every possible item, but unless it says "aluminum cans" I would think they mean pet, soup or vegetable cans.  Aerosol cans should be a no because they are dangerous, but I guess they can handle them?  That would be any can that sprays without a pump-they have gas in them.

I'm glad you want to expand your recycling, but don't forget the best recycling is to put your used items into the hands of someone who needs them.  Lot of things from clothes to furniture can be re-used without a factory.  Check with Goodwill or Salvation Army, churches, homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, etc.

I worked in a recycling plant for a little while.  It is the sorting that can cost so much.  So please, sort the best that you can, and if you're not sure--ask.  It is awful for the workers when there are dirty diapers or a milk jug still half full of rancid milk!  That's part of the reason I don't work there anymore!

Live well and do good.