When it comes to recycling, trying to figure out what goes where can sometimes be confusing. Following these three simple rules may help:
- Recycle all empty plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard
- Keep food and liquids out of recycling
- Don’t bag recyclables — empty them directly into the cart
Common contaminants…For recycling to work, limiting contaminants at the collection point is essential. The most common recycling contaminants are the following:
- Plastic bags
- Food and liquids
- Electronics and small appliances
- Textiles, bedding, rugs and carpet
- Hoses, holiday lights, hangers and extension cords
- Paper napkins, plates, cups and tissues
- Polystyrene foam (also known as Styrofoam)
- Tires, auto parts and scrap metal
- Concrete, wood and construction debris
- Yard waste
- Inflatable pools and toys
For more information on recycling, visit www.oak-park.us/recycling, call 708.358.5700 or email sustainability@oak-park.us.