Is a Recycling Bin Free?

Many people across the United States want to make the earth a greener place by recycling items so they can be reused for future products. Those blue and green bins play a very special part in how the country’s waste gets reduced. Across the nation, you will find blue and green bins out on the streets during your local garbage day, but are those bins free?

The cost of a recycling bin varies depending on where a residence is located, but they are sometimes free. It’s best to call a local recycling center and speak with a representative about the cost of recycling bins and if there is a way to get one for free.

Recycling bins are great for reducing waste and can help you make the environment a greener and cleaner place. Before recycling your items, you’ll want to know how to get a recycling bin, what the cost is, what items you can put in a recycling bin, and how your waste may be reused.

How to Get a Recycling Bin

Every state and county has a recycling and waste facility which you can purchase a recycling bin from. Most county and state websites will have related information on them or you can go to your local recycle and waste facility website. The easiest way to order a recycling bin is by following the instructions on a website or calling the number provided on the website.

Once you have purchased your recycling, bin it will be delivered to your door in 5 to 7 business days. From there, you would put it with your other garbage bins and put recyclable waste into the bin. Then, you would put it on the curb when garbage day comes around, just like you do with your garbage bin.

The Cost of a Recycling Bin

The cost varies depending on what state and county you live in. A lot of states give you the recycling bin for free when you purchase a garbage bin. Other states do a bundle where you can purchase both a garbage bin and a recycling bin together for a cheaper price rather than purchasing them separately.

For example, when going to San Diego, California’s government website, it says that there is a flat-rate fee of $70 when you purchase a garbage bin, but you will get a recycling bin for free with said purchase. They even allow you to get up to two recycling bins for free when you purchase a garbage bin.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania states the same thing on their government website. If you are a city resident, recycling bins are free.

Some cities may charge you anywhere from $30 to $100 for a recycling bin if they are not offered for free.

Go to your city or county government website or call their number to discover if you qualify for a free recycling bin.

Items That Can Go in a Recycling Bin

Now that you know how to purchase your recycling bin and what the cost might be, you’ll want to make sure that you put the correct items into the bin. If they are recyclable items that have had food in them, you may need to wash the items before they can go into the recycling bin.

Here are some items that can be recycled:

Cardboard
Paper
Beverage and food cans

Glass
Plastic

Here are some items that can not be recycled:

Most metals
Garden hoses
Food

Food soiled items
Oil and gas containers
Hazardous materials

Electronics

If you have items that can be recycled but have had food in them, give them a good wash. These items include milk jugs, soda cans, food cans, glass bottles used for beverages and food, plastic bottles used for beverages and food, etc. All you have to do is run them underwater with a small amount of soap and rinse thoroughly. You may not even need to use soap, just add water and shake if the container has a lid.

Be very careful to not put any items in your recycling bin that cannot be recycled. If a contaminating item is put into the recycling bin it can cause everything in that bin to become contaminated and all items in the bin will become garbage waste instead.

Some items may be recyclable but need to be recycled in a special way such as electronics. You can drop your electronics off at a local electronic store, donation center, or specialized electronic recycling facility.

Remember, if you have any questions regarding what can and cannot be recycled in your city, give your local recycling facility a call.

Reusing Waste

I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” The reason we are taught this phrase is so we can remember that the reason we recycle is to reduce waste, reuse the materials, and then recycle them all over again when they are done being used. This helps our landfills keep waste at a minimum and put fewer harmful toxins into the environment.

So, what do your recycled items get used for? Here are some items you may have helped make by recycling:

Lawn furniture
Playground equipment

Recycling bins
Kitty litter
Building materials

Paper plates
Pencils
Sporting goods

Books

There are so many more items where that came from, but that is just a small portion of recycled materials you use every day and can help produce. Reusing materials is one of the easiest things you could do to protect your environment.

You can even reuse recyclable materials yourself! Soda cans are great for making purses, wallets, hair accessories, and so much more. Paper can be reused for kindling fires or making art. Glass can be melted down and used for art pieces. So, get crafty with your own materials if you find yourself wanting a hobby and have some recyclable materials lying around.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It is so easy to get a recycling bin and most cities do give the bin to you for free! Now that you know more about how to get your recycling bin and what you can recycle you can be more conscious when it comes to reducing waste. If you have any questions or want further information on how recycling protects the environment, contact your local recycling facility for more information. Remember, it pays to reduce, reuse, and recycle!