Recycling Guide
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. But it can also be confusing. This Recycling Guide was created to help make the process a bit easier and move us as close to a Zero Waste Community as possible.
It's important to note that items we recycle need to be clean. Grease and other food residue cause major problems at the recycling center.
Commonly Accepted Recycle materials
- plastic #1-7
- aluminium cans (rinsed)
- steel/tin food and beverage cans (rinsed)
- aluminum foil (rinsed well and balled up)
- glass - clear, brown, green (rinsed, lids removed)
- cardboard - including cereal boxes, pizza boxes (rip out and throw away any parts containing grease)
- corrugated boxes (small amounts)
- newspapers, phone books, magazines, paperback books (remove staples and any plastic wrap)
- junk mail, computer paper, envelopes
- wrapping paper (remove tape)
- milk cartons!
don't recycle in your regular bin
- shredded paper - loses its recycling value when shredded; however, there are many recycling centers in our area that will accept shredded paper (find a shredded paper recycling drop-off)
- paper coffee cups - their wax lining makes them non-recyclable
- plastic bags - almost every grocery stores has a recycling bin for these as you enter the store
- plastic wrap or film - unfortunately, very few recyclers can handle this type of plastic
- batteries - these can't go in your bin, but there are other ways to recycle batteries:
- alkaline (single use) batteries: we weren't able to find any local recyclers for single use batteries but you can check out this mail order recycling solution
- rechargeable batteries: take to Lowes, Home Depot or Staples (call your local store to verify)
- plastic plant trays, pots & tags - take to Lowes
difficult items to dispose of
Other Recycling Opportunities
Community Recycling Events
Many local municipalities sponsor communty events where you can recycle or dispose of many household items including paint, electronics, batteries, light bulbs, flammable materials, fire extinguishers and much more. Start with your local municipality to see if they have events. Following are by county:
BUCKS COUNTY RECYCLING & HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECYCLING & HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS
HUNTERDON COUNTY
RECYCLING & HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY RECYCLING & HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS
LEHIGH COUNTY - no events but click here for local recycling information
recycling centers
There are also recycling centers throughout our area that will accept what we can't recycle curbside.
BUCKS COUNTY
611 Metals, Pipersville, Willow Grove -
Accepts gutters, siding, windows, doors, computer parts, cars, shelving, LCD monitors, tools and more
E-Waste Experts, Bristol - CRT monitors, TVs (fee) and much more
LEHIGH COUNTY
Buckman Iron & Metal, Coplay -
most metal parts, cars, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, water heaters, electronics
