Day 319 – It’s National Recycling Day! So, I thought I would write about the Recycle By City website. Nine cities participate, Chicago being one of those nine.

The Chicago Recycling Guide helps answer all those questions regarding what can go into your recycling bin and what should stay out. It breaks items down into categories.

Accepted Items in the Blue Cart

1. Cartons – put lids back on cartons
2. Glass bottles and jars – labels can stay on
3. Metal cans and foil – labels can stay on cans
4. Paper and cardboard – free of food and grease
5. Plastic containers – put caps back on (pumps and nozzles can not be recycled in blue bin)

Unaccepted Items in the Blue Cart

1. Bagged recyclables – keep recyclables loose in the bin
2. Plastic bags and film – recycle plastic bags and film at grocery stores and Target
3. Food or liquids – consider composting food waste
4. Scrap metal – recycle at scrap metal recycler
5. Cords, cables, hoses or chains

Call 311 for Pickup

1. Yard waste – bag yard trimmings in a bag, do not include rocks, dirt or gravel
2. Leaves – bag up and call 311
3. Furniture – try to donate when possible
4. Major appliances
5. Mattresses

Hazardous, does not go into recycle or garbage can and can be brought to the Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facility (1150 N. North Branch Street)

1. Rechargeable batteries
2. Electronic waste
3. Pharmaceuticals
4. Household chemicals
5. Metal tanks
6. Fluorescent bulbs & tubes
7. Oil based paint and stain
8. Motor Oil

Before we can start to think about recycling we need to consider, refusing, reducing, and reusing.

Tomorrow, green hotels and what they’re about.