Paper or Plastic? Recycling Dos and Don'ts

Properly Organize Your Recycling Bin

For regular recycle-rs: the ability to organize the recycling bin is an important step in allowing resources the chance to get re-used.  Gathering and dumping recyclables into the recycling bin is inconvenient and can even result in negative consequences for the recycling process.  To recycle effectively

1) Newspapers are the first items you should load into your recycling bin.  If you have a stack of newspapers, put the entire contents on the bottom of the bin.  Not only will this help with organization, but it will weight down the bin and create a stable foundation for the rest of your recyclables.

2) Junk mail and light pamphlets should go in your recycling bin next, on top of the newspaper.  This loose paper should take up very little space in your bin.


3) Aluminum cans, such as soup and soda cans, are the perfect size and weight to be placed right on top of the stack of paper products.

4) Glass bottles are fragile and among the most difficult product to properly recycle.  Carefully load these bottles, in an upright position, on the side of your recycling bin.  These bottles will be cushioned by the base layer of newspaper and, therefore, will not move around as much in the bin.

5) Cardboard boxes, such as cereal boxes, can be broken down and folded to in turn be placed on the side of the recycling bin- near the glass bottles.

If you happen to live in an apartment building with a central recycling area, always place recyclables in designated containers and remember to not overcrowd the receptacles.

Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more about Grady Management on our website or Facebook page.