How to Recycle Anything

Recycling symbols can be confusing -- there are dozens of different symbols, some with numbered codes, others with strange acronyms, and still others that don't even look like recycling symbols at all. Get the facts on the most widely used recycling symbols in North America.

Glass recycling turns used glass products back into "new" glass products. By some estimates, recycling glass uses 40% less energy than creating new glass. Recycled glass also creates about 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution. But which glass items can be recycled, and which cannot? Get the facts on glass recycling. 

Plastic recycling is, unfortunately, a relatively inefficient process. Though much of our modern world is made up of plastics, not all of them can be recycled, and almost all of them are "downcycled" into lower-quality plastics. Find out what you can do about plastics and plastic recycling.

Recycling cardboard and paperboard is easy, and some 77% of cardboard is recycled, according to the EPA. Not all cardboard can be recycled, however. Get the facts on recycling cardboard, paperboard and other heavy paper packaging materials.

Aluminum recycling and can recycling is one of the environmental movement's great success stories. In many places, well over 95% of all aluminum is recycled. Aluminum recycling has grown immensely since the widespread introduction of aluminum cans in the 1960s. In 1972, about 24,000 metric tons of aluminum cans were recycled -- by 1998, that amount had increased to over 879,000 metric tons.

Here's information on how to dispose of oil and some interesting facts about tire recycling. Check back soon for tips on how to recycle batteries and other auto supplies.

Here's some good news: Christmas tree recycling has become much easier in recent years, and there are now more smart, green ways to dispose of your Christmas tree. If you can't reuse it on your property, chances are your local community has a program for curbside pickup or a drop-off location -- find it here.