Steel / Bimetal cans are important to the steel industry because they serve as a good source of scrap and the tin coating can be recovered.

What can be recycled?

Beverage and food cans.

What can't be recycled?

Separate aluminum cans unless your program accepts all materials comingled.

How to Prepare?

Check to see if magnet sticks to the can. Rinse and flatten to save space. Labels are not a problem for processors but remove if you can.

Plastics accounts for roughly 20% of the volume of trash. Most programs accept #1 PET such as plastic soda bottles and #2 HDPE such as milk jugs and detergent bottles.

Raw materials for producing plastics are about 70% natural gas and 30% oil.

Recycled PET can be made into bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks, carpeting, fiberfill, landfill liners and geotextiles.

Recycled HDPE and mixed plastic can be made into "plastic wood" for car stops, picnic benches, boat docks, fence posts and many other things where wood is used.

What can be recycled?

Plastic soda bottles, milk jugs, water jugs, detergent bottles, numbers #1 and #2 plastic containers.

What can't be recycled?

Numbers other than #1 and #2 unless your program accepts other plastics.

How to Prepare?

Rinse and flatten to conserve space. Labels do not need to be removed.

Newsprint, office paper and junk mail can be recycled into paperboard, newsprint, writing paper, insulation, animal bedding, tissues and towel products.

Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.

It takes 20 trees to keep one baby in disposable diapers for two years.

What can be recycled?

Newsprint, corrugated cardboard, office paper, computer paper, junk mail, magazines, paper grocery bags.

What can't be recycled?

Coated paper, waxed paper, tissues, paper towels, napkins, paper plates.

How to Prepare?

Tie in bundles or place in paper bags or boxes.

Pennsylvania produces about 35 million gallons of used motor oil per year which can be recycled.

Recycling motor oil helps conserve a non-renewable resource and protects the environment at the same time.

How to Prepare?

Pour into a clean, empty, sealable container.

Do not mix with other substances.

Locate nearest auto repair shop or collection center by contacting county recycling coordinator or PA recycling hotline at 1-800-346-4242.

Lead acid batteries must be taken to a recycling center that accepts batteries or auto battery retailer in exchange for a new one.

Glass is completely recyclable which saves energy and natural resources. Recycled glass is made into new beverage bottles, food jars and insulation.

Recycling glass reduces energy usage 25%-30%

Every ton of glass recycled saves about nine gallons of fuel oil.

Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to operate a television set for about three (3) hours or light a 100 watt bulb for about four (4) hours.

What can be recycled?

Clear, amber and green glass from beverage bottles and food jars.

What can't be recycled?

Window glass, light bulbs, crystal, ceramics, ovenware.

How to Prepare?

Rinse bottles and jars. Remove lids and metal rings. Leave labels on.

Aluminum, the most valuable household trash item, can be recycled into new aluminum products.

Aluminum recycling uses 95% less energy than manufacturing aluminum from natural resources.

Recycling a 12 oz. aluminum beverage can saves enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for three and a half (3.5) hours or to operate a television set for three (3) hours.

Recycling aluminum cans for one year saves enough energy to meet the residential electrical needs of Pittsburgh for almost six (6) years.

What can be recycled?

Aluminum food and beverage cans, pie plates, clean foil, aluminum siding, lawn furniture.

What can't be recycled?

Do not mix bimetal and steel cans unless your program takes all of these materials.

How to Prepare?

Check item with magnet to determine if it is aluminum. Rinse cans and crush if you would like to save space. For other aluminum, contact your local program coordinator for information.

Leaves and yard waste can be composted in your yard or at a central site for use as a valuable soil amendment rich with nutrients.

Contact your municipality or county recycling coordinator about central facilities or home composting.

Grasscycling is the process of leaving grass clippings on the yard where they break down into fertilizer.

Grass clippings can also be used as surface mulch around vegetables or flowers to inhibit weeds and retain moisture.