Both metal and paper are recyclable on their own, but not when they are combined together. It is very difficult to separate materials on paper canisters with metal rims, so it is best to throw them in the trash.

When plastic pots are collected, they become smashed and broken before even making it to a recycling facility. Once the planters reach the facility, they are flat and misshapen, and are not able to be detected by sorting equipment as plastic. Check with your local home and garden store or nursery to see if they collect pots for reuse or recycling or put them in the garbage.

Plastic containers are recyclable, but if the plastic is black it is not able to be detected by recycling sorting technology, because the conveyor belt the recycling moves on is black. The machines do not see these containers, so they go to the wrong stream or are passed through as residue that goes to the landfill. Put black plastic in the garbage. Empty and rinse white and clear containers before recycling.

NO organic material can be recycled in your recycling cart at home. Peanut butter and other organics contaminate TONS of materials! Contaminated material goes to the landfill instead of being reused to make new materials. Remember, materials must be empty and clean.