Recycle Right
An important part of recycling is understanding what items can and can’t be recycled. Complete our Recycle Right quiz to test your knowledge on proper recycling practices and share your results with your friends.
Are plastic bags and stretch plastic films accepted for recycling?
While you can’t toss plastic bags and other film in your home recycling cart, many grocery stores collect clean, dry bags and films for recycling. Look for a drop-off bin located in the store’s entry. Reduce your use of plastic bags by bringing reusable bags to the grocery store.
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The correct answer is Yes. While you can’t toss plastic bags and other film in your home recycling cart, many grocery stores collect clean, dry bags and films for recycling. Look for a drop-off bin located in the store’s entry. Reduce your use of plastic bags by bringing reusable bags to the grocery store.
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It is OK to put recyclables inside clear plastic bags.
Great job! Recyclables should be loose in your recycling cart or SWACO drop-off location. Current equipment used at the sorting facilities cannot properly process bagged recyclables.
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The correct answer is False. Recyclables should be loose in your recycling cart or SWACO drop-off location. Current equipment used at the sorting facilities cannot properly process bagged recyclables. Try another question!
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Greasy pizza boxes are accepted for recycling.
Impressive! Only empty and clean pizza boxes are accepted for recycling. If the bottom of the box is covered in grease and food residue, tear it off and dispose of that portion in the trash (or compost where accepted) and only recycle the clean lid.
Next question Start overIn fact, only empty and clean pizza boxes are accepted for recycling. If the bottom of the box is covered in grease and food residue, tear it off and dispose of that portion in the trash (or compost where accepted) and only recycle the clean lid.
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Damaged hoses, chains and clothes belong in the trash bin.
Nice job! Tanglers such as hoses, chains and clothes can wrap around equipment and shut down the entire sorting facility. Consider donating these items if they are still in good condition.
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Tanglers such as hoses, chains and clothes wrap around equipment and can shut down the entire recycling facility. Consider donating these items if they are still in good condition.
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Which types of cartons are recyclable?
Nice job! All of these types of cartons can be recycled in Franklin County curbside and drop-off programs. Both “gable-top” cartons like a milk carton and “paperboard” cartons like a juice box can be recycled. In addition to milk cartons and juice boxes, other examples include broth, soup and stock containers, and non-food item containers like fabric softener. Please rinse and remove the lids.
Next question Start overIn fact, ALL of these types of cartons can be recycled in Franklin County curbside and drop-off programs. Both “gable-top” cartons like a milk carton and “paperboard” cartons like a juice box can be recycled. In addition to milk cartons and juice boxes, other examples include broth, soup and stock containers, and non-food item containers like fabric softener. Please rinse and remove the lids.
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How much trash does the average Franklin County resident throw away a day?
Nice job! On average, every resident throws away between 4 – 5 pounds of material each day, or about 1,500 pounds a year! Combining all the residents of Franklin County, that equals over a million TONS of material that is disposed in the Franklin County Landfill each year, most of which could have been recycled or composted!
Next question Start overThe correct answer is 5 Pounds. On average, every resident throws away between 4 – 5 pounds of material each day, or about 1,500 pounds a year! Combining all the residents of Franklin County, that equals over a million TONS of material that is disposed in the Franklin County Landfill each year, most of which could have been recycled or composted!
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Plastic clamshell/berry containers are recyclable?
That’s Right! There are a variety of different “resins,” or types of plastic used to make different plastic items. Even within the same resin or plastic type, identified with a number on the bottom, there are different formulas that can be used depending on the desired properties of the plastic being manufactured. As a result, not all plastic items are compatible with each other when it comes to recycling. In central Ohio, there is not a strong or consistent market for plastic clamshells and take-out food containers. Therefore, the local sorting facility will not accept them.
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The answer is False. There are a variety of different “resins,” or types of plastic used to make different plastic items. Even within the same resin or plastic type, identified with a number on the bottom, there are different formulas that can be used depending on the desired properties of the plastic being manufactured. As a result, not all plastic items are compatible with each other when it comes to recycling. In central Ohio, there is not a strong or consistent market for plastic clamshells and take-out food containers. Therefore, the local sorting facility will not accept them.
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Fill in the blank: Recycling ______________.
How did you know? It’s all true – recycling has many benefits for our community. Most people realize that there are numerous environmental benefits to recycling, including conserving our natural resources and extending the life of the landfill. But many people don’t realize that recycling is also good for the economy. Recycling creates more jobs than landfilling and helps to support thousands of jobs in the central Ohio region!
Next question Start overThe correct answer is All of the Above. Should we have given you a hint? It’s all true – recycling has many benefits for our community. Most people realize that there are numerous environmental benefits to recycling, including conserving our natural resources and extending the life of the landfill. But many people don’t realize that recycling is also good for the economy. Recycling creates more jobs than landfilling and helps to support thousands of jobs in the central Ohio region!
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Batteries are accepted in curbside and SWACO drop-off locations.
Nice! Batteries should never be placed in our curbside recycling carts or taken to a SWACO drop off location. Batteries can start fires at the recycling facility causing a safety hazard for the workers. Please make sure to take your batteries to SWACO’s permanent household hazardous waste disposal location. https://www.swaco.org/hhw
Next question Start overBatteries should never be placed in our curbside recycling carts or taken to a SWACO drop off location. Batteries can start fires at the recycling facility causing a safety hazard for the workers. Please make sure to take your batteries to SWACO’s permanent household hazardous waste disposal location. https://www.swaco.org/hhw
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If a plastic item has the recycling arrows and number on it, you can recycle it curbside.
That’s right! The recycling number does not matter. When it comes to curbside and drop-off recycling, the recycling “number” on the bottom indicates the type of plastic resin the item is made from. In Franklin County curbside and drop-off programs, only plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and cups are accepted. Plastic cups with lids and bottles with caps are accepted. Remember to rinse containers before placing them in the bin.
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The recycling number does not matter. When it comes to curbside and drop-off recycling, the recycling “number” on the bottom indicates the type of plastic resin the item is made from. In Franklin County curbside and drop-off programs, only plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and cups are accepted. Plastic cups with lids and bottles with caps are accepted. Remember to rinse containers before placing them in the bin.
See results Start overNice work! Individuals scoring a 6 or higher on the quiz know what it takes to Recycle Right.
Learn about what’s recyclable, why, and how to Recycle Right. Learn how!
Looking for a recycling drop-off site in your area? Use our search tool.
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