With Thanksgiving this week, we’d like to remind everyone of a few recycling guidelines for materials you’re likely to come across during the holiday.
Paper or Styrofoam plates
Styrofoam is never recyclable at Muncie Sanitary District. Paper plates cause contamination to recycling batches and are therefore not recyclable through MSD. Please place all disposable plates into the regular trash.
Looking for a more sustainable option? Use real dishware, or inexpensive reusable plates from the dollar store.
Plastic cups
Though some plastic cups have a recycling number on the bottom, plastic cups are not recyclable through MSD. Please place plastic cups in the regular trash.
Looking for a more sustainable option? Use real cups instead.
Napkins and paper towels
Napkins and paper towels are not recyclable and should be placed into the regular trash.
Looking for a more sustainable option? Try reusable cloth napkins.
Cans
Tin and aluminum cans are recyclable. Please rinse all cans before placing them into your blue bags.
Wine or sparkling cider bottles
Glass bottles are recyclable. Please rinse all bottles before placing them into your blue bags. Corks—both natural and synthetic/plastic—are not recyclable and should be thrown away or reused. Natural corks can also be composted.
Plastic cutlery
Plastic utensils cause contamination to recycling batches. Please place all plastic cutlery into the regular trash.
Looking for a more sustainable option? Use real silverware instead.
Aluminum pie tins
Aluminum is recyclable, but should be rinsed of all food residue before recycling to prevent contamination. Please thoroughly rinse aluminum pie tins before placing them in blue bags.
Plastic food bags
Plastic bags of all types are not recyclable through MSD, including frozen vegetable bags, bread bags, etc. Plastic food bags should be tossed into the regular trash. Some plastic bags can recycled inside grocery or department stores.
Looking for a more sustainable option? Buy vegetables fresh or in can, and skip plastic produce bags.