How to Properly Sort Your Garbage at Home

When at home, remembering to recycle and sort through garbage correctly can sometimes be a hassle. If good habits are not adopted, or initial sorting practices are not simplified, it can become easy to throw things away in the garbage without taking the time to sort it correctly. However, there are straightforward steps that you can take to ensure that you contribute to the environment favourably.

In Toronto and the GTA, some specifics must be adhered to when choosing to recycle and sort your garbage the right way. Certain plastics and containers are not recyclable, and utilizing the green compost bin is beneficial in reducing waste. Are you interested in learning how to simplify bin-sorting in your home? Take a look at the suggestions listed below.

Simplifying the Use of Your Green Compost Bin

The green compost bin is crucial for beneficially discarding food scraps. It reduces landfill waste and instead creates a sustainable material known as hummus. This material retains moisture and is richly filled with nutrients that are beneficial for growing healthy plants. When combined with soil, it’s useful in minimizing pests and plant diseases.

In your home, there are few things you can do to ensure that your green bin is filled with the right items. Consider placing a mini-container marked “compost” beside your regular garbage bin. Doing so will enable you to remember to put your food scraps and other compostable materials into this bin when throwing away kitchen waste. As an alternative, you can also use a washable or reusable container. You can place it on the counter or wherever it is most convenient to use. This can be used to hold discarded food items.

Once the reusable container in your kitchen is full, empty it in your green bin. Wash or rinse the reusable bin or container, so that it is clean and can be used again. When your designated garbage day arrives, place the filled green bin outside for pickup. Adopting these practices can make bin-sorting and disposing of food items much more straightforward.

Which items are recyclable?

It’s essential to know which items are considered acceptable for recycling at home. The wrong products have been known to ruin equipment and contaminate other items deemed okay for recycling. This means that being aware of how to recycle the correct items is crucial. For example, glass, cans, paper, and certain types of plastic are ideal for recycling, but not all products with a recycling symbol are always accepted.

Types of Recyclable Glass

Glass jars (and lids), glass containers, and glass perfume bottles are some of the glass items that can be placed into your blue bin. Large glass doors, plexiglass, and other items considered derivatives from construction sites are typically expected to be dropped off at depot sites. It’s best to review your local government’s website to ensure that you are complying with their policies.

Acceptable Plastics

Water bottles, baby bottles, shampoo or conditioner bottles, perfume or cosmetic bottles, and produce containers are just a handful of the plastic items considered recyclable. Styrofoam, which is made from specific plastic materials and chemical compounds, is unfit for recycling. For this reason, many cities request that they are placed in a regular garbage bin.

Recyclable Cans

Aluminum cans, pop or beverage cans, nut cans, chip cans, soup cans, and shaving cream cans, for example, are considered recyclable. Beer cans can be placed in recycling receptacles, and other cans can be brought back to the beer store. Aerosol cans or paint cans may not be accepted, as they are considered hazardous waste. Alternatively, you can arrange for your city to retrieve them.

Recyclable Paper Items

Although not limited to this list, paperback books in poor condition, paper cartons, paper cards, newspapers, paper gift bags, and paper receipts can be placed in your recycling bin. Paper items with a plastic or metallic lining, or a wax coating such as a coffee cup, are not acceptable and are typically requested to be placed in the regular garbage bin. Soiled paper plates or other paper items contaminated with food can be placed in the compost bin.

Adopting a Proper Bin-Sorting Process at Home

When at home, some practices can be implemented to make bin-sorting much more relaxed. Consider adopting a system that enables you to separate recyclables from food items. For instance, place a garbage bin, a small reusable container for compost, and a recycling bin inside your kitchen. With these bins side by side, this will improve how you separate garbage in your home. It will help to expedite the process for your area’s appointed garbage day.

Furthermore, implementing these habits at home can also improve the costs issued by the city to sort garbage properly. Hence, managing your home waste efficiently and adequately can help to reduce garbage fees.

Other Ways to Reduce Garbage at Home

Other habits can be formed to reduce waste at home. Using reusable water bottles, for example, can help minimize waste. Furthermore, opting for reusable canvas bags while shopping also limits the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills. Overall, careful planning and thoughtful changes in your home can significantly impact how you save money. As well, it can have a positive influence on the environment.

Gorilla Bins Can Help You to Manage Waste in Your Home

Gorilla Bins offers disposal bins with varied sizes and services. Our bins are equipped to help homeowners and those alike dispose of their unwanted items without much hassle. These bins are delivered to your door, offering you the convenience for disposing of more substantial items. Hence, for those with larger items, they can be easily placed within these bins, and our company will ensure that they are transported to the right location. Are you interested in learning more about our services? Contact us here for more information.