The Big List of What Shouldn’t Go in a Recycling Bin

Question: What can go in a recycling bin?

Answer: Plenty of household items like plastic bottles/containers, food cans (rinse them out, please!), paper, cardboard, and glass bottles/containers.

But perhaps there’s an even bigger question…What shouldn’t go in a recycling bin? See that? We’re real philosophers over here at Certified Recycling 😏.

Anyway, it just so happens there’s a LOT of stuff that shouldn’t be thrown into a household recycling bin. Here’s a big ol’ list of things:

— Batteries

— Pizza boxes

— Styrofoam

— Packing peanuts

— Paint cans

— VHS tapes

— Mirrors

— Electronics

— Fireworks

— Tires

— Mothballs

— Gasoline

— Plastic bags

— Aerosol cans

— Old cell phone containing messages from your past lover

— Medical needles

— Paper towels

— Treated wood

— Receipts 

— Light bulbs

— Bubble wrap

— CD’s

— Motor oil

— Cleaning chemicals

— Prescription drugs

— Smoke detectors

— Nail polish

— Your kids no matter how annoying they are today

Even though items on this list shouldn’t be thrown in the home recycling bin, there are a number of them that could be recycled at a local recycling center (besides the obvious joke ones). Before throwing any of them in the trash, check with your nearest recycling center to learn your options!

Gotta Recycling Question? Call 952-894-1448 or Use This Form

About Certified Recycling

We’re really into recycling, but we don’t do this just for us. Recycling appliances, electronics, and furniture gets junk out of your space and keeps the planet looking and feeling good. And who doesn’t love looking and feeling good?

So instead of tossing your laptop or microwave in the trash, give it to us. Why? Because we recycle 98.6% of everything that comes through our door. That’s only 1.4% away from perfection. But we’re not here to brag. We’re here to recycle.