Propane tanks are made of metal, but they are not recyclable in your curbside bin. Pressurized containers are very dangerous items to recycle! If there is any pressure or gas left in the containers, they can explode causing damage to equipment and harm to sanitation workers. Solution: You can recycle propane tanks at stores with propane filling and recycling collection programs.
Some electronic items like TVs, computers, printers, scanners, game consoles, etc. are banned from landfills in Illinois. They do get recycled but they must be collected properly, they don’t belong in your recycling bin! Solution: For these items, SWANCC provides electronics recycling services for residents of SWANCC member communities - CLICK HERE to learn more. Other items with a cord or battery that are not banned from landfills - like vacuums, kitchen electrics, hair dryers, and electric toothbrushes - are not able to be sorted in a recycling facility and may be dangerous for recycling facilities to handle. Solution: Donate working electronic items and place non-working items in the garbage, or check SWANCC’s Reuse and Recycling Directory for recycling options.
No batteries can be recycled in your curbside cart. They are too small to be detected by sorting equipment. Lithium batteries are also potentially explosive! The chemicals within rechargeable batteries are highly reactive, and even one tiny battery can cause a huge fire or even explosion! Solution: Alkaline batteries can be put in the garbage or taken to a battery recycling program. Lithium and other battery chemistries should NOT be put in the garbage - instead, find a recycler by visiting Call2Recycle’s website.
When you put your recyclable items in a bag, they will all go to the landfill. Recyclers get thousands of pounds of recycling per day and do not have the staff or time to open bags of materials. Plus, plastic bags get tangled in recycling sorting equipment and have to be cut out which is very dangerous for sanitation workers. Keep materials loose! If you bag your recyclables in the house, empty the contents of the bag at your cart and reuse the bag.
Putting needles in the recycling bin is very dangerous to sanitation workers! Any needles used for medical or recreational purposes should not be thrown in your recycling bin EVER or thrown into your trash bin loose. Solution: Find a sharps collection program for medical waste to safely dispose of needles. Many SWANCC communities provide collection containers and collect full containers - check with your community, or search “Sharps” in SWANCC’s Reuse and Recycling Directory.