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How to Recycle the Right Way on America Recycles Day — And Every Day 

Bottles in a recycling bin

America Recycles Day is Friday, Nov. 15. Follow these tips to make sure you recycle right every day: 

  1. Plastic: Think “Bottles, Tubs, Jars and Jugs” only. To make your recycling efforts more accurate, don’t look for numbers or recycling symbols, just recycle: 
    • Bottles: containers for water, salad dressing or shampoo. 
    • Tubs: containers with snap-on lids, such as those for margarine or coffee, and small buckets. 
    • Jars: containers with screw-on lids, such as those for peanut butter, medicines or hand cream. 
    • Jugs: containers with a molded handle, such as those for milk or detergent. 
  2. No plastic bags, film, wrap or air-filled packing pillows. Many grocery or retail stores offer plastic bag collection bins near their entrances. Find a drop-off location at bit.ly/howtorecyclebags. Do not put recyclable materials in plastic bags for curbside recycling. 
  3. “Styrofoam” is not recyclable, even if it has a recycling symbol on it. This includes foam packing materials, coffee cups and takeout containers. 
  4. No “tanglers.” Don’t recycle items that can get wrapped in the sorting equipment. No strings, wires, hoses, cords, light strands, VHS cassettes, hangers or plastic bags. 
  5. Avoid “wishful recycling.” When in doubt, throw it out. 

To learn more about recycling in Rockville, including special collections and food scraps drop-off sites, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recycling-trash.  

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