More than half of your household waste can be recycled. Here are a few helpful hints and tips to make recycling more effective in your home.
How to recycle used cardboard and paper in your home.
Fold used paper rather than scrunching it up, and flatten cardboard boxes. This will give you more room in your recycling bin.
In Manitoba, plastic bags are not accepted in your recycling bin. Fortunately, many retailers in Manitoba accept your used plastic bags. Remember, reduce your use of plastic bags, reuse “single use” bags for household garbage, pet waste and other items, and finally, recycle the ones already in your home.
Please click here to see a list of stores that collect plastic bags.
Fact: Plastic bags are primarily made from natural gas, so recycling this material allows this energy to be made into new products or recovered for its energy value.
What to do with your recyclables before you put them in the bin.
You don’t have to remove lids or labels, just ensure they are empty first!
Plastic, glass and metal containers can be cleaned if you have the time. A quick rinse is always appreciated. Doing so avoids contaminating other materials, reduces unpleasant odours and the development of mould, and ensures sorting centre employees work in a healthier environment.
Newspapers, magazines, and white paper can all be recycled as long as the paper is clean and dry. Plastic wrap, stickers, or rubber bands should be removed, but staples and plastic window envelopes are okay.
How to recycle shredded paper.
Shredded paper is acceptable in your blue bin for recycling. Before placing it in your blue bin, shredded paper must be placed in a full-size, clear, tied plastic bag. This is the only exception to the “no plastic bags” policy.
Watch our video to learn how to recycle shredded paper in your blue bin.
What to do if a product has several packaging components.
When recycling, please ensure that you don’t “nest” your materials – this means putting materials inside one another, such as putting an aluminum can inside a cereal box. Recyclable materials are sorted either manually or through an automated system into various categories. By separating packaging made of different materials at home, you simplify the sorting process saving time and money for your local recycling operation.
Note: It is not necessary to remove the plastic window from envelopes or labels on tin cans. Also, lids on beverage containers can stay on as well.
Don’t put anything in your recycling bin that your community doesn’t accept. If you’re unsure of what items are accepted, visit the Recyclepedia!
Place the lids inside the tin. If you can, squash the tin, then pop it into your recycling bin.
Old toys and clothes don’t belong in your blue bin. If your clothes are in good condition, donate them to a charity or secondhand organization.
We are very good at recycling our cans, plastic drink bottles, glass bottles, paper and cardboard. Below is a list of other less frequently recycled items you may find in your kitchen that can also be recycled:
- Beverage cartons from milk, juice, and soup
- Food tins, sweets, and biscuit tins
- Milk and yogurt bottles
- Detergent and liquid soap bottles
- Tissue boxes
- Soap dispenser bottles
- Sauce and jam jars
- Vinegar and oil bottles
- Plastic disinfectant bottles
- Household cleaner bottles
- Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
Any plastic packaging or bottle marked with a recycling symbol usually on the bottom of the item can be placed into your household recycling bin. You can also check the Recyclepedia or with your local community for a full list of recyclables they accept.
Recycling in other areas of the home.
Remember don’t just recycle items from your kitchen. A lot of the materials you recycle in the kitchen can also be found in other rooms around the house, such as the living room, bedroom, bathroom, and home office or study. Put an extra bin in your office, garage or bathroom. It will make recycling even easier!