Are Mirrors Recyclable?

Mirrors have been around in some form or another for thousands of years. People started seeing their reflections in ponds and lakes.  They then used polished stone and metal pieces to give a somewhat crude image of themselves.

Mirrors made from these materials were unfortunately very expensive and were only available to the extremely wealthy. Less fortunate people still used the stand-by of looking at themselves in ponds…sometimes even standing in line to do so.

 “In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a process for applying a thin layer of metallic silver to one side of a pane of clear glass. This technique was soon adapted and improved upon, allowing for the mass production of mirrors.”

Because these more modern-day mirrors are not made from a single type of material, they are not considered a recyclable item by most processes. Between the chemically treated glass and the adherence of a metallic substance, mirrors are still considered a trash item.

For more information on trash and recycling options visit www.wasteawaygroup.com.

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Are Store Receipts Recyclable?

Whether or not an item is recyclable is sometimes a cut and dry, black or white, yes or no answer. Water bottles and aluminum cans, yes; soiled napkins and items containing food or product residue, no.

Unfortunately, gray areas exist considering the vastness the types of materials used in the production of…well, everything.

Plastics, for example, have so many different densities that some are recyclable and some are not, by conventional means.

Are Batteries Recyclable?

With the introduction of an enormous amount of handheld electronic devices, people are using more and more household batteries than ever before.

About three billion batteries are sold annually in the United States, which averages out to about 32 per family, or ten per person. The average person owns about two button-style batteries, ten dry cell batteries, and throws out about eight household batteries per year.

Are Books Recyclable?

When we generally think of being done with a book, we think of giving it to a friend or dropping it
off at a donation site. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to be done with it entirely and dispose of it. But where does this type of item go?

Recycling softcover books is a common practice. They can go directly into your recycling bin or drop-off center as is. Essentially, this would be like a stack of papers and a cereal box being in the same load of recycling. Hardcover books, however, are a different story entirely.

Are Light Bulbs Recyclable?

Light bulbs are a tricky item to categorize when discussing recyclables.  What type of material is a light bulb, anyway?

At the base, they have two metal contacts, which connect to the ends of an electrical circuit. The metal contacts are attached to two stiff wires, which are attached to a thin metal filament. The filament sits in the middle of the bulb, held up by a glass mount. The wires and the filament are housed in a glass bulb, which is filled with an inert gas, such as argon.

Are Straws And Plastic Utensils Recyclable?

Generally, recyclable items have a triangle on them with a number inside which specifically lets you
know that it is, indeed, recyclable. There are some exceptions to this rule with items that are actually recyclable items.

Are Pizza Boxes Recyclable?

Pizza boxes are made of cardboard so they should be recyclable, right? Well, yes and no. Although
most, if not all, recycling centers accept corrugated cardboard, it's actually the grease residue on the box that makes part, if not all of it, a trash item.

Are Cassette Tapes And VCR Tapes Recyclable?

Cassette tapes and VCR tapes are a type of magnetic media, not unlike the ever-nostalgic floppy disk. This type of media storage uses a thin Mylar tape enclosed by some type of plastic casing. The casing is generally a recyclable item, but the tape is not.

Are CDs and DVDs Recyclable?

A Compact Disc (CD) is made from a 1.2 mm thick disc of almost pure polycarbonate plastic. The surface of a CD is reflective because the disc is coated with a thin layer of aluminum or sometimes gold. The shiny metal layer reflects the laser that is used to read or write to the device. A layer of lacquer is spin-coated onto the CD to protect the metal.The label print is applied to the top of that surface. 

A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is made from essentially the same material but can store up to 6 times the data.

Are Garden Hoses Recyclable?

Original hoses were made from linen, then leather, and finally rubber. They were originally used to put out fires and carry water from one site to another for washing, cooking, and drinking. 

Are Spray Paint Cans Recyclable?

In the 1940s, the paint industry took another step forward with the invention of the aerosol can. Originally developed by the military as a tool to dispense insecticide, aerosol systems were quickly adapted to other product categories including spray paint. Using similar technology and equipment, a few years later they became the first commercial producers of spray paint.