July 2017 Residential Communications Resources
Topic:Recycling Mysteries

TITLE: Sherlock Holmes on the Less Waste Case

TEASER

There are some curious cases when it comes to recycling. What does the number in the triangle mean? What are we throwing away that could be recycled? Solve these mysteries and recycle more than ever before.

BLOG/ARTICLE

The who, what, when, where, why, and how of reduce, reuse and recycle can cause confusion. Shed some light on a few of the biggest mysteries of recycling and continue to refine your practices. Whether you consider your habits to be excellent or elementary, there are always ways to learn more about knowing what to throw.

The Curious Incident of the Number in the Triangle

If the item has triangular arrows with a number in the center of the symbol, then it must be recyclable, right? Not the case! The number in the triangle indicates what the item is made of, not it’s recyclability.

Going by the numbers with plastics reveals that not all items of the same material follow the same rules. For instance, shampoo bottles and plastic bags are both #2, but only shampoo bottles can go in the curbside bin. Plastic bags should be brought to a drop-off location. Generally speaking, plastic items labeled with a #1, #2, #4, or #5 are collected for home recycling. Some haulers accept other types of plastics, so ask if you aren’t sure.

Find ways to recycle as much as you can, but don’t wish cycle just because you see the triangular arrows symbol. Identify the plastic. Remember to never guess; it’s a shocking habit.

The Adventure of the Dumpster Divers

What are people throwing away, and why? This is a mystery that Hennepin County sought to solve by doing a waste sort in May 2016. They wanted to figure out what is in the garbage and identify opportunities to reduce waste and increase recycling. Items were sorted into 55 different categories, allowing the county to identify exactly what was thrown away and where it came from. Their careful observations allowed them to deduce the following:

●A large amount of cardboard and paper was found in the garbage. You can recycle more paper than you think and paper soiled with food, like napkins, can be placed in organics recycling or composted. Keep paper and cardboard out of the garbage can and reduce how much packaging you end up with by limiting junk mail and buying in bulk.

●Food waste is by far the most common item found in the garbage. About 19 percent of the waste sorted was food. Use alternatives to throwing food in the garbage like composting or organics recycling. Check with your city on organics recycling options. Store food safely and don’t buy more than you can eat. Change behaviors and make a big impact! Another food-related mystery is dates on the label. Decipher dates on products and know the difference between sell by, use by and best by.

●Recyclable items that could go to drop-off locations are ending up in the garbage.Not all recycling can be done at home.Items like batteries and plastic bags should not go in the garbage. Recycling items at drop-offs is a huge help to reducing the amount of waste thrown away. Items like clothing and textiles can be donated or possibly recycled in drop-off or collection programs. Make sure your items end up in the right place!

Eliminate the Non-Recyclable, Whatever Remains Must be Recycled

It’s incredibly important to put items in the right place when it comes to waste. Keeping food and other compostable organics out of the garbage bin can provide a great resource for your garden or community. Recycling saves energy and helps the environment by conserving materials and reducing the amount of garbage in landfills. Find the most beneficial use for any item you may need to get rid of. Never make exceptions when it comes to wish cycling and gather the facts to help you solve all your recycling mysteries.

About RethinkRecycling.com

Minnesotans recycle over 2.3 million tons of paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste, and more each year, which create new products, such as cans, cardboard, newspaper, carpet, clothing and furniture. RethinkRecycling.com, provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, is your go-to guide for waste and recycling in the Twin Cities.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK

  1. There are some curious cases when it comes to recycling. Try out your best Sherlock Holmes impression and use the new blog to get the bottom of a few mysteries.

BLOG LINK

  1. How much do you know about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reduce reuse recycle? Use the Know What to Throw Guide to get started.
  1. Take your recycling skills from elementary to excellent with these recycling resources.
  1. If an item has triangular arrows with a number in the center of the symbol, then it must be recyclable, right? Not the case! The number indicates what the item is made of, not it’s recyclability.
  1. Learn more about plastics by the numbers to see what items are made of. Generally speaking you can recycle items labeled with #1, #2, #4, or #5 at home.
  1. Don’t wish cycle items just because you see the triangular arrows symbol. Never guess. It’s a shocking habit!

BLOG LINK

  1. Keep up with which plastic items are recyclable and watch out for items like plastic bags that have to be brought to drop-off locations.
  1. Here is a quick chart to help you use and sort plastics. See what they can be recycled to make.
  1. Keep plastic shopping bags and other plastic films out of recycling and garbage bins. Bring them to drop-off locations to be recycled instead.
  1. In the “Adventure of the Dumpster Divers,” our heroes sort through the garbage in Hennepin County to see what is being thrown away and what could be recycled.

BLOG LINK

  1. Hennepin County sorted garbage from three different Minneapolis neighborhoods into 55 different categories. Check out the results and what can be done to reduce waste.
  1. Check out this video that shows the results of the Hennepin County waste sort. Recycle or compost organics and recycle paper and cardboard!
  1. The careful observations of the folks who completed the waste sort in Hennepin County found that food waste is the most common thing found in the garbage. Learn how to change behaviors and make a big impact.

BLOG LINK

  1. A large amount of cardboard and paper is ending up in the garbage. You can recycle more than you think! Paper soiled with food can be composted.
  1. Solve the mystery of the dates on the food label and know the difference between sell by, use by and best by.
  1. Reduce food waste by storing food safely and not buying more than you can eat.
  1. Reduce how much paper and packaging you end up with by limiting junk mail and buying in bulk.
  1. We can divert more waste from the landfills and incinerators by recycling more and composting food waste.
  1. Eliminate the non-recyclable, whatever remains must be recycled! Put your items in the right place and reduce the amount of waste you create.

BLOG LINK

  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for batteries. Don’t throw them away.
  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for plastic bags. Don’t throw them away.
  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for clothing and textiles.
  1. Never make exceptions when it comes to wish cycling. Gather the facts to help you solve all your recycling mysteries.

BLOG LINK

  1. Why is recycling so important?

SUBTOPICS

  1. National Night Out is coming up. Borrow recycling containers from your county to make it a green event.
  1. Get some resources for hosting a green gathering for your National Night Out block party and let us know if you have other tips that have worked for you.
  1. Post photos of your green event with the hashtag #greennightout. Thank you for leading by example.
  1. Read green this summer! Head to your county library and pick up some work by environmentally friendly authors. Goodreads has a list with some suggestions. What’s your favorite environmental book or author?
  1. How is your green reading going? Some of our favorite authors include Annie Dillard, Rebecca Solnit, Julia Butterfly Hill, Rachel Carson, Henry David Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, and Edward Abbey. Who are we missing?

TWITTER

  1. Try out your best Sherlock Holmes impression and use the new blog to get the bottom of a few recycling mysteries.

BLOG LINK

  1. The Know What to Throw Guide will help you solve the who, what, when, where, why, and how's of reduce reuse recycle.
  1. Take your recycling skills from elementary to excellent with these recycling resources.
  1. The triangular arrow symbol doesn't mean you can recycle it. The number indicates what the item is made of.
  1. What's the number mean on plastics? Generally speaking you can recycle items labeled with #1, #2, #4, or #5 at home.
  1. Don’t wish cycle items just because you see the triangular arrows symbol. Never guess.

BLOG LINK

  1. Keep up with what plastic items are recyclable and watch out for items that have to be brought to drop-off locations
  1. Identify plastics with this chart that shows how they are used and what they make when recycled
  1. Keep plastic shopping bags and other plastic films out of recycling and garbage bins. Find drop-off locations!
  1. In the Adventure of the Dumpster Divers, our heroes sort through the garbage in Hennepin County. See what happened.

BLOG LINK

  1. Hennepin County sorted some garbage into 55 different categories. Check out the results. Help reduce waste!
  1. Check out this video that shows the results of the Hennepin County waste sort. How can you recycle more?
  1. Food waste is the most common thing found in the garbage. Learn how to change behaviors and make a big impact

BLOG LINK

  1. A large amount of cardboard and paper is ending up in the garbage. Recycle it! Compost paper soiled with food.
  1. Solve the mystery of the dates on the food label and know the difference between sell by, use by and best by.
  1. Reduce food waste by storing food safely and not buying more than you can eat.
  1. Reduce how much paper and packaging you end up with by limiting junk mail and buying in bulk.
  1. We can divert more waste from the landfills and incinerators by recycling more and composting food waste.
  1. Eliminate the non-recyclable, whatever remains must be recycled! Put your items in the right place.

BLOG LINK

  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for batteries. Don’t throw them away.
  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for plastic bags. Don’t throw them away.
  1. Not all recycling can be done at home. Find drop-off options for clothing and textiles.
  1. Never makes exceptions when it comes to wish cycle. Gather the facts to solve recycling mysteries.

BLOG LINK

  1. Why is recycling so important?
  1. National Night Out is coming up. Borrow recycling containers from your county andmake it a green event.
  1. Get some resources for hosting a green gathering and let us know if you have other tips that have worked for you.
  1. Post photos of your green event with the hashtag #greennightout. Don’t forget to lead by example.
  1. Want to read green this summer? Find some great options for environmental literature. Goodreads has some suggestions
  1. How's your green reading going? Some of our favorite authors include Annie Dillard, Edward Abbey, and Rachel Carson. Who are we missing?

These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling materials by sending an e-mail to with a description of how the materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.